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Slovenian business clubs (a public call for tenders)
Published on 29 March 2018
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Management of internationalisation support environment is facilitated through public call for tenders which co-finances activities of Slovene business clubs abroad. Instrument, implemented under Programme for internationalisation 2015–2020 and line with Priority Axis 3 of OP improves the conditions for networking and integration of enterprises in foreign markets. Aim of public call for tenders is to create and maintain network of Slovenian business clubs registered abroad, and in cooperation with them intensify support of boosting internationalization of Slovene economy through following activities:
• provide information and consulting to Slovene SMEs who want to make a global breakthrough in countries that feature a Slovene business club;
• encourage regular formal and informal exchange of contacts and information among local companies, institutions and Slovene companies;
• provide regular information about changes in business environment in which the business club operates;
• provide regular updated business information on SPIRIT Slovenia portal Export Window;
• organize events abroad and in Slovenia;
• promote Slovene economy and business environment abroad.
First contact with Slovene business clubs abroad is free of charge for Slovene companies. Enhanced cooperation or specific help is offered only to companies and institutions that are members of business clubs.
• provide information and consulting to Slovene SMEs who want to make a global breakthrough in countries that feature a Slovene business club;
• encourage regular formal and informal exchange of contacts and information among local companies, institutions and Slovene companies;
• provide regular information about changes in business environment in which the business club operates;
• provide regular updated business information on SPIRIT Slovenia portal Export Window;
• organize events abroad and in Slovenia;
• promote Slovene economy and business environment abroad.
First contact with Slovene business clubs abroad is free of charge for Slovene companies. Enhanced cooperation or specific help is offered only to companies and institutions that are members of business clubs.
Expert opinion
The practice builds on the potential of peer to peer approaches, i.e. entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs, and applies it in a structured way to the issue of providing support to internationalisation.
To some extend it can be linked to e.g. the Mentoring Program (https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/344/) from the FFWD EUROPE project, also to be found in the Good Practice Database.
The approach of the Slovenian business cubs focuses on the building of networks in the target countries and the commitment of entrepreneurs – in this case through membership in the clubs. It can be expected that on the long run the networking approach leads to durable relationships that go beyond the initial framework of the practice.
To some extend it can be linked to e.g. the Mentoring Program (https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/344/) from the FFWD EUROPE project, also to be found in the Good Practice Database.
The approach of the Slovenian business cubs focuses on the building of networks in the target countries and the commitment of entrepreneurs – in this case through membership in the clubs. It can be expected that on the long run the networking approach leads to durable relationships that go beyond the initial framework of the practice.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Instrument is financed through national public funds on annual basis. In 2014 16 business clubs abroad received total of 270.000 EUR, in 2015 15 clubs received 261.000 EUR, in 2016 400.000 EUR were allocated to 13 clubs and in 2017 12 business clubs received 340.000 EUR.
Evidence of success
Planned goals of each public call were surpassed.
-2014: 16 clubs, 107 business events for Slovene and foreign companies, 1017 Slovene companies aiming to reach foreign markets counselled, 417 business opportunities and news to be published at Export Window portal forwarded,
-2015: 15 clubs, 98 business events, 815 companies counselled, 326 business opportunities and news forwarded,
-2016: 13 clubs, 112 business events, 1010 companies counselled, 356 business opportunities and news forward.
-2014: 16 clubs, 107 business events for Slovene and foreign companies, 1017 Slovene companies aiming to reach foreign markets counselled, 417 business opportunities and news to be published at Export Window portal forwarded,
-2015: 15 clubs, 98 business events, 815 companies counselled, 326 business opportunities and news forwarded,
-2016: 13 clubs, 112 business events, 1010 companies counselled, 356 business opportunities and news forward.
Potential for learning or transfer
Established contacts that business clubs abroad have, are a valuable source of information to a specific market and an irreplaceable provider of advisory services in internationalisation. Practice provides organisational model / implementation process for implementation of such a network of advisory services, to successfully support of boosting internationalization of national economy.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
SPIRIT Slovenia - Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalization, Fore¬ign Investments and Technology
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
Contact
Senior project manager