{"id":32134,"date":"2025-10-24T14:36:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/?p=32134"},"modified":"2025-10-24T14:40:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:40:57","slug":"empowering-rural-smes-to-scale-beyond-borders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/empowering-rural-smes-to-scale-beyond-borders\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering rural SMEs to scale beyond borders!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"912\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Rural-UP_RGB_PNG.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31519\" style=\"width:567px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Rural-UP_RGB_PNG.png 912w, https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Rural-UP_RGB_PNG-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Rural-UP_RGB_PNG-768x390.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In today\u2019s fast-changing economic environment, rural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland encounter both distinctive challenges and emerging opportunities \u2013 from limited access to networks and export markets to an increasing need for innovation and more resilient business models.<br><br>To address these challenges, the Rural-UP project was developed in partnership with organisations from Latvia, Estonia and Finland. The project aims to empower rural companies to scale and grow sustainably. Through a structured 12-month scaling-up programme, the initiative will support at least 20 rural SMEs in Latvia, Estonia and Finland, helping them enhance their business models, boost competitiveness, and expand into international markets.<br><br>The programme will begin with a joint Open Call that is planned to be launched at the end of January, inviting rural SMEs in Latvia, Estonia and Finland to apply. After submission, applications will be assessed according to predefined criteria, and the most promising companies will be selected to join the 12-month programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The participating companies will benefit from:<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Targeted webinars designed around their specific development needs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International exchange visits, encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participation in international business events, including trade fairs and exhibitions;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personalised mentoring and expert consultations, helping each company achieve its growth objectives;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A final conference, where participants will present their progress, share insights, and celebrate their accomplishments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What has been done so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn the first six months of the project, partners from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland have been working intensively on creating the scaling-up Methodology and Implementation Guidelines, ensuring a consistent and effective approach across all regions involved. Follow the latest updates \u2013 an exciting opportunity for rural SMEs is just around the corner!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0says Just\u012bne Skrasti\u0146a, Business Support Project Manager in Valmiera Development Agency.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"371\" height=\"411\" data-src=\"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Justine.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32137 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 371px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 371\/411;aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:contain\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Justine.png 371w, https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Justine-271x300.png 271w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The project Rural Enterprise Expansion Initiative (Rural-UP | CB0600372) is funded under the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021\u20132027.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s fast-changing economic environment, rural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland encounter both distinctive challenges and emerging opportunities \u2013 from limited access to networks and export markets to an increasing need for innovation and more resilient business models. To address these challenges, the Rural-UP project was developed in partnership with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":32135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[374],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rural-up-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1-768x768.jpeg",768,768,true],"large":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Anete Todu","author_link":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/author\/anete\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In today\u2019s fast-changing economic environment, rural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland encounter both distinctive challenges and emerging opportunities \u2013 from limited access to networks and export markets to an increasing need for innovation and more resilient business models. To address these challenges, the Rural-UP project was developed in partnership with&hellip;","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rural-UP_3-1-1-1024x1024-1.jpeg",1024,1024,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Anete Todu","author_link":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/author\/anete\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/category\/rural-up-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Rural-up<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"In today\u2019s fast-changing economic environment, rural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland encounter both distinctive challenges and emerging opportunities \u2013 from limited access to networks and export markets to an increasing need for innovation and more resilient business models. To address these challenges, the Rural-UP project was developed in partnership with&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32134"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32142,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32134\/revisions\/32142"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developvalmiera.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}