Initially, the iEER project was ongoing 2016–2020. The project defined smart paths and solutions for partners to boost and orchestrate regional entrepreneurship ecosystems supporting young entrepreneurs. The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council was the lead partner of the project.However, in search of a sustainable and socially inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, iEER has been granted with additional fundings from Interreg Europe for 2021–2022.
Project info
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council was the lead partner of the iEER project 2016–2020 called Boostinginnovative Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Regions for Young Entrepreneurs, defining smart paths and solutions for partners to boost and orchestrate regional entrepreneurship ecosystems supporting young entrepreneurs.
That project had already been ended, but as the COVID-19 crisis weakened the European economy and the measures to tackle this were revolutionized, it was granted additional funding from Interreg Europe Programme for 2021–2022.
This time the project supports a sustainable and socially inclusive recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. It aims at learning and sharing practices:
- a regional recovery is possible among entrepreneurs and stakeholders by bringing back some enthusiasm
- digitalisation and distant work can support sustainable and innovative business
- we can recover and strengthen regional growth by encouraging entrepreneurs to implement the environmental, social, and governance criteria (ESG) and the guiding principles of sustainable development.
It is defined by a striving to acknowledge necessary needs, to find solutions and to share them with other regions, to increase competence and finally to start with actions needed.
Supporting young entrepreneurs by best practices and peer learning
This further project has a budget of 490,000 euros. The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council is the lead partner. The Laurea University of Applied Sciences is another partner from Helsinki-Uusimaa. Other partners come from Poland, Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain and Ireland.
The project received EU Interreg Europe Programme funding, thus initially bringing together ten different regions around Europe. Eight regions participate in the new period. Most ofthe regions participating in the iEER project has been awarded an EER label (European Entrepreneurial Region). Helsinki-Uusimaa is the only region to be awarded an EER label twice: first in 2012 for its qualifications in promoting Young Entrepreneurship, and the second time around, in 2021–2022 for qualifications in Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Recovery. Exchanging best practices and peer learning are utilized in the project.
The earlier project of 2016–2020 had a total budget of 2,3 billion euros. It improved the cooperation between actors in different European regions in supporting young entrepreneurship, as well as the regional innovation capability and competitiveness by offering services to young entrepreneurs. Cooperating partners are for instance universities, business services of cities andenterprise accelerators.
Project partners
- Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council and Laurea University of Applied Sciences | Helsinki-Uusimaa
- Institute of Technology TRALEE | Kerry Region
- University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg | Land Brandenburg
- Marche Regional Authority
- Northern Ireland Local Government Association
- Regional Government of Valencia
- Marshal Office of the Westpomeranian Region
Current
News
15.2.2022
Regions on the way to recovery: Mapping the gaps
What support is available for entrepreneurs struggling amidst the Covid crisis in your region? Within the iEER project, partner regions are keen to understand how to build and develop their entrepreneurial ecosystems to prepare for the post-pandemic world.
News
20.12.2021
iEER Project Phase 3 Kicked Off
IEER phase 3 was kicked off on December 13. The iEER project is back to business boosting young entrepreneurship, this time with a timely endeavour aiming to support entrepreneurs in their recovery from the economic shock brought by the Covid pandemic.
This page was last updated: 22.4.2022
For more information, please contact:
Christine Chang
Senior Adviser, EU Affairs, EER 2022 Project Director
christine.chang@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Overall coordination of EER year 2022, EU project preparation, international EU Service communication