The aim of the project was to promote networking and co-operation links among SMEs and sector associations in EU border regions and their counterparts in Accession Countries and EU non-border regions, in order to identify the opportunities generated by the enlargement process in terms of wider markets and integrated economies. The project focused on three EU border regions – Friuli-Venezia Giulia (IT), Carinthia (AT) and Anatoliki Macedonia-Thraki (GR) – where priority sectors have been selected according to the specific characteristics and needs of the regional economic systems and the innovation potential of the sectors. The projects involved also four Accession Countries regions [Vratsa (BG), Budapest (HU), Cluj (RO), Koper (SI)] and two EU non-border regions [Murcia (ES) and Puglia (IT)]. The main project beneficiaries included: (i) small companies (up to 50 employees); (ii) crafts companies; (iii) SMEs which are leaders in their manufacturing sectors; (iv) sector associations and specialized development agencies; (v) SME service providers. The project main activities consisted in the organisation of three large partnership events – one in each EU border region – and included promotional, organizational and follow-up actions for more than 250 participants as enterprises, business associations and local development agencies.

Type of service

Project design, organization and management.

Co-ordination of project activities.

Design and management of a website (http://www.progetti.informest.it/look-east/) including company profile database, partner search facilities and a resource collection regarding areas and sectors involved in the project.

Organization of large-scale partnership events.

Monitoring and evaluation.