Innovation in rural SMEs should bring positive benefits to the rural economy. Regions in the project are struggling with a lack of employment and business opportunities.

• Project Dates: 2016 - 2022
• Project Leader: Local Government of Nagykanizsa, Guy Garrod
• Staff: Menelaos Gkartzios, Marian Raley
• Sponsors: Interreg Europe
• Partners: Local Government of Nagykanizsa, Province of Drenthe; Savonlinna Business Services Ltd; DELTA 2000 Consortium Company with limited liability, Municipality of Medina del Campo; Harghita County Council

This lack of opportunities is because of:  

• too great a reliance on traditional activities
• weak cross–fertilisation between relevant sectors and stakeholders
• a lack of tools to stimulate SME innovation

Opportunities for boosting the visitor economy in these areas are strongly linked to the outstanding natural and cultural assets offered by the surrounding areas. Such activities would also generate multiplier benefits in associated sectors such as agriculture, processing and service industries, resulting in the creation of new local jobs and infrastructure. 

This project aims to improve policies related to rural SME development through fostering the uptake of innovative solutions in the visitor economy. Using a process of knowledge exchange and stakeholder-led action planning the project will engage in a series of activities which will stimulate SME innovation and efficient capacity development in the private sector.

Contact: Guy Garrod (guy.garrod@ncl.ac.uk), 0191 208 7552

Project website: http://www.interregeurope.eu/ruralgrowth/