BLESK (SE178)
Funded by South-East Finland - Russia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The project aimed to develop and implement sustainable cooperation models in the Southeast Finland–Russia cross-border region and to boost the overall competitiveness of the small and medium-sized businesses operating in the fields of renewable energy sectors.

Main activities

- To improve export skills of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by organizing internationalization training for them and preparing up-to-date materials and guides on doing international business. - To identify and implement about ten pilot cases proposed by Finnish and Russian SMEs aimed at entering new markets or extending export activities. - To build new capacities of business support services in the cross-border region for local and European clients, and to support the launch of the Russian Business Center Rubicon in Kotka Finland. - To overcome informative, psychological, economic, legislative and technical barriers to the development of the renewable energy sector in Russia and Finland. - To support the development of the wind energy technology cluster in the cross-border region. - To complete a planning of pilot project on setting up the first wind energy farm in St. Petersburg or Leningrad oblast.

Achievements

Well over 100 companies participated to the training and networking via seminars and workshops. Ten pilot cases were executed with the aims of new activities and markets. Project took part in the organisation of the international innovation competition Web Ready for start-up IT companies in Russia. As part of the Web Ready competition, a new Game Ready competition was held to promote the Playa game hub. The Rubicon Russian Business Center in Kotka was established. Renewable energy sector was supported by evaluating the wind energy sector, planning and optimizing the windfarm –idea supported by the wind mapping and technical and economical assessment of the markets. There was also cooperation with the Russian Association of Wind Power Industry and analysis of the market situation concerning the renewable energy sector in Russia. Active network of information exchange and knowledge sharing were established between Finnish and Russian wind energy market players during the project.