INTO Russian – Development of International Operation Know-how Among Young Entrepreneurs
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to develop the operational prerequisites and professional expertise of young and future entrepreneurs with regard to cooperation with Russia.

Main activities

• Organisation of two entrepreneurship events in Petrozavodsk, • Carry-out of international business training including an orientation visit to St. Petersburg, • Regional and cultural knowledge training, • Russian language training in Kajaani, • Operational training and a visit to Petrozavodsk with the young entrepreneurs of Intotalo entrepreneurship training centre.

Achievements

The project changed its course from the original project plan. This way the project could better serve the societal needs of the target area. The limited amount of interest expressed by local companies toward the project’s training and activities was a challenge. Nevertheless, participation in the events was relatively good. The project goals were applied by organising two entrepreneurship events in Petrozavodsk, carrying out international business training including an orientation visit to St. Petersburg, arranging regional and cultural knowledge training, organising Russian language training in Kajaani and providing project operational training, as well as through an orientation visit to Petrozavodsk with the young entrepreneurs of Intotalo. At minimum, the project created a positive perception of Russia’s university environment and IT industry. The activities of Intotalo and local entrepreneurs were introduced to Russians on trips arranged during the project. In addition, the Russian partners presented the opportunity to meet local experts and entrepreneurs in the IT industry and discuss potential cooperation projects. In fact, project applications were planned together with entrepreneurs that participated in the project. One of these was the Business Environment for Gaming Expertise on the Border Region project, which received funding and has, in addition to this project, participated in initiating and supporting transborder entrepreneurship. The Kajaani Unit of the Department of Information Processing Science assumed cooperation activity with Russia in a manner that also supports cooperation with IT companies in Russia and Kainuu. During the project, the possibility for educational cooperation and teacher exchanges were studied and the ICT cluster research was started. In addition, the Kajaani Unit of the Department of Information Processing Science also opened a representative office at the Petrozavodsk State University and launched operations there.