The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa launches the Ready2Net Project Initiative

  14:27, 19 Jul 19

This initiative is a pilot project aiming to assist European SMEs to develop, further expand or improve their international business by creating SME networks aimed at enhancing SME's capacity to exploit foreign markets for export purposes.

CCI Vratsa is a partner in this project, within a consortium of five business organisations from Italy, Spain, Poland, Latvia, and Bulgaria with Lear Partner InnovhubSSI srl, Italy.

The project lasts 24 months, from March 1st 2019 to March 1st 2021.

THE CALL FOR APPLICANTS FOR READY2NET PROJECT IS NOW OPEN!

Ready2Net Project aims at creating max 10 Networks for Export, based on the following specific sectors and sub-sectors:

  1. Textile: Silk/polyester and viscose materials; cotton fabrics; leather
  2. Textile machinery: Machines and processes in silk/polyester and viscose materials; cotton fabrics; leather
  3. Advanced manufacturing: Industry 4.0 value-chain, including robotics, mechatronics, industrial sensors, IOT, 3D printing, AI, augmented reality, predictive maintenance
  4. Food: Organic and high quality food products
  5. Interior Design: Including designers and producers of furniture and home decorations
  6. Bioeconomy: Intelligent green packaging; value from waste products

Each Network for Export will be composed of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 SMEs, coming from at least three different EU countries.

The Networks for export can be shaped in the following two models: Complementarity/Vertical model along the production and value chain (for sectors 1, 2, 3) and a Traditional model (for sectors 4, 5, 6). Textile and Textile machinery Networks will follow the complementarity model, where the companies are able to cover all steps of the production chain and serve all types of clients.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa invites all potential participants to register in the platform. The Call is open to SMEs from all of the above-mentioned sectors.

The project rules do not exclude networks created by SMEs which have been already cooperating in the past (e.g. distributor, producer and supplier which know each other and currently cooperate).

The participation to Ready2Net project is free of charge and a financial support of max € 25.000,00 will be provided to cover the eligible costs incurred to implement the operations of the Network for Export.

The beneficiary SMEs will benefit from:

  • Set-up of a Network for Export that will strengthen the export capacity of participant SMEs
  • A 2-days training programme taking place in Milan to enhance SMEs’ export capacity. The training will be focused on every aspect relevant of the internationalisation process
  • A distance coaching to elaborate and finalize an Action Plan of the Network, including a budget. The Action plan will define the internationalisation strategy of the network for export in max 2 foreign markets
  • The implementation  of internationalisation activities, as detailed in the Action Plan, e.g.
    • development of a common brand,
    • participation to conferences, brokerage events, international exhibitions,
    • partner research,
    • recruitment of experts (export manager, technical experts for technological transfer),
    • subscription to relevant e-commerce platforms;
  • development of common projects to increase sales and/or international visibility,
  • any other relevant activity for the purpose of the network for export.
  • Tailor made Enterprise Europe Network internationalization services, e.g. market information, IPR information, partner research, brokerage events and company missions.

WORKING LANGUAGE OF THE PROJECT IS ENGLISH

The application process consists of 3 steps:

  1. SME individual application through the project website: https://www.ready2net.eu/ using the APPLY NOW button. SME should fill in the online form as well as fill in and attach the supporting documents. Evaluation will be completed within 10 days of application.
  2. SME completes its online profile and searches for other approved SMEs to form a network.
  3. The Network submits its Project proposal for approval. If approved, there follows signing of agreement with the project and implementing the Action Plan.

Deadline for individual application is 15th September 2019.

For more information, please visit the project website https://www.ready2net.eu/ where you can find the Call for applicants and all relevant details concerning the project.

Contact:

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa

Ventsislava Strahilova and Svetlana Borisova

Tel: +359 92 66 02 73 / +359 92 66 02 71

 E-mail: ccivr.ready2net@gmail.com