UpGradeSME

New challenges | Post-COVID effects on regional economy, policy measures and the internationalization challenge of SMEs UpGradeSME was initially a 5-year learning process with the close cooperation of 8 actors representing 6 European regions of Hungary, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Spain aiming at improving SME internationalization policies through interregional learning processes. These regional players represented relevant knowledge, living linkages with SMEs and the regional or national policy level.
In February 2016 the partnership started its cooperation by involving local stakeholders, SMEs, decision makers relevant in the issue of SME export challenges and since then worked actively by following the previously set work plan to reach real change in the analysed policy instruments tackling SME internationalization.
Despite and because of regional/ national economic and cultural differences the partners could experience a deep learning process. The partners received a mirror or the own national and regional policy background supporting SME internationalization. They participated intensive learning processes by hosting international thematic workshops in the involved countries, by organizing international staff exchange programs to partners institutes, by interacting with local SMEs, policy makers, regional bodies and the exchange of know-how. By learning local case studies and by exchanging experience UpGradeSME partners could contribute to the improvement of the analysed regional and national internationalization policy instruments. As a result of the interregional learning process proposals were elaborated and documented in Action Plans, one in each region focusing on the improvement of the policy instrument. These Action plans are open to the public and can be reached in the UpGradeSME library. In the library section further result are published for the wider audience. The partners reached the set goals in 2021. As the COVID-19 crisis changed not only the everyday life but also the economic perspectives the UpGradeSME partnership decided to focus on the current situation and received the possibility from the INTERREG EUROPE program to continue the common work, the exchange of knowledge by focusing on the effects of the pandemic on export activities, on the reactions of the economy and the policy level. Thus, the partnership currently is working on the analysing the impact of COVID-19 with the participation of 120 SMEs and the relevant policy level from the respective regions.