The overarching objective of Interreg’s Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme is to strengthen the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities. The eBoost project (NPA0600155) focuses specifically on objective 1.2: Reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities.

The Northern Periphery and Arctic regions suffer from rapid aging, sparse population, and long distances. The increasing number of young people are relocating to larger urban areas and changes in demography pose several challenges for SMEs and local service provision. For example, there is a huge decrease in opportunities for business transfer/succession. By introducing new digital technologies, the existing businesses could benefit by widening the potential market area and engaging local people (e.g. youth) to take over the business and continue to provide essential employment and services for rural communities.

The target groups include SMEs and Business Support Organisations of the sparsely populated NPA regions, as well as interest groups, higher education and research organisations and civic society.

The goal of this NPA preparatory project and that of the Main Project ahead is to enhance the vitality of the sparsely populated areas by supporting and developing business transfer and succession planning processes and developing digital entrepreneurial skills.

This Preparatory Project aims to define the baseline of this development work, engage the best potential consortium of organisations to take over the Main Project activities and complete a successful Main Project application.

Duration: December 2023 to November 2024

Partner Locations

• Business Joensuu Ltd, Joensuu, Finland - Lead Partner. 
• Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence, School of Business, Munster Technological University.