About project

WELCOME TO THE PROJECT RURAL-UP | RURAL ENTERPRISE EXPANSION INITIATIVE!

The aim of the Rural-UP project is to scale-up 20 rural start-up companies in food and beverage manufacturing and related sectors.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

1. Development of joint Scaling-Up Methodology:

Project experts will co-create a unified methodology for supporting company growth. The program will cover various scaling-up aspects such as securing investments, entering new markets, evolving business models, launching new products/services, and strengthening core teams.

2. Creation of the Implementation Guide:

A practical guide will be developed, including application instructions and standard templates for application forms, roadmaps, and progress reports to be used across all participating countries.

3. Establishment of a common expert & mentor database:

A shared database of qualified mentors and experts will be created to support companies with guidance in business development, financing, scaling, and operations — tailored to the Latvian, Finnish, and Estonian contexts.

4. Company selection through open call:

An open competition will be launched in all 3 countries (4 regions). Communication campaigns and informational seminars will engage local companies and invite them to apply for the program.

5. Scaling-up support for selected companies:

Each partner will mentor and monitor selected companies from their region, ensuring support aligned with agreed goals and individual roadmaps. The program will include several components: company mentoring, expert-led training from different countries, joint events for all participants across the three countries, opportunities to take part in international business events, and dedicated consultations.

6. Development of Role Model Guidelines:

Based on practical experience and lessons learned during the program, a replicable framework of guidelines will be produced to help other institutions apply similar scaling-up approaches.

RESULTS

The main results will be at least 20 scaled-up rural enterprises in food and beverage production from 3 Central Baltic region countries fostering the economic growth of rural economies.

DELIVERABLES

1. Scaling-up program methodology.	5. Report provided by Selection Committee justifying the selection process and result.
2. Implementation guide including guidelines for applicants.	6. Report on scaling-up programme results.
3. Mentors database.	7. Role model guidelines.
4. Informative seminars in Latvia, Estonia and Finland.	8. Final conference report.

PARTNERS

Our team consists of four partners from Latvia, Finland, and Estonia, each bringing a unique perspective to the project.

1. Valmiera Development Agency, Latvia	3. South Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland
2. Latgale Planning Region, Latvia	4. Tartu Business Advisory Services, Estonia