Funded Projects 2014-2020

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Project Rye Connect

Project Acronym Rye Connect
Project Title Rye Connect
Project subsite
Project Website

Summary

RYE Connect will provide better transnational business opportunities, services and solutions for young entrepreneurs inside the whole NPA region. This will be achieved by developing a wide associate network working closely together, in a geographically intelligently managed model of a leaner partnership. Project partners come from Finland, Northern Ireland and Greenland, each working as a centre point for their associates and actions. The practical tools and methods developed and used in this project are based on the knowledge and best practice of the previous RYE project (Rural Youth Entrepreneurship).

Objectives

The objectives of the project are to provide better transnational opportunities for young people inside the NPA region, promote the development of a more entrepreneurial culture throughout the NPA region, and, contribute to the development of a more varied and sustainable economic development model for the northern periphery.

Impacts

Tangible

Business development:

The project assisted 34 young entrepreneurs in Greenland, Finland, Ireland and Northern Ireland to start or grow their businesses. By engaging young people in rural enterprise, the project helped to make rural life more attractive, provided employment and income and thereby addressed also rural poverty and isolation.

 
Improved competitiveness:

Through the RYE Connect Network, young people across the NPA region can connect with the latest thinking and training in entrepreneurship, other young entrepreneurs, online mentors and potential investors. The Business Portal offers online tools for business development, face-to-face mentoring and workshops designed to instigate, develop and reboot business ideas.

 

Intangible

Changing attitude and behaviour:

The rising enthusiasm towards entrepreneurship is more clear and measurable, and it is a result of young people working as role models for each other transnationally. At Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, entrepreneurship is currently an integral part of all studies and a permanent incubator (FI) has been established based on the RYE experience. In Greenland, the project initiated youth entrepreneurship program and supporting tools, such as training modules available in Greenlandic.

 

Lead Partner

Partners

Project Info

Theme
Business development, trade, marketing
Priority
2 Entrepreneurship
Objective
2.1 Improved support systems for SMEs
Project duration
14-04-15 to 13-04-18
Total budget
1 825 998 EUR
NPA co-financing
1 186 831 EUR
Target groups
enterprise, including SME
local public authority
Joint Secretariat Desk Officer
Rachel Burn