More small businesses will survive – new project receives EU funding
Many small companies in Norrbotten are facing a change of ownership in the near future – but finding a new owner is not so easy. Now the entrepreneurs will receive help through a new project. Sustainable Ownership Changes is one of 21 projects in Upper Norrland that will share in 148 million kronor in EU funds. Region Norrbotten is co-financing several of the projects.
Today it was decided which projects are next in line to receive money that will create a smarter, greener and more interconnected EU and a more inclusive labor market.
The focus on small businesses is to provide companies with support that paves the way for a change of ownership. It is about increasing the value of the companies, becoming more visible to potential buyers and improving dialogue with them. The entrepreneurs receive guidance on employee takeovers or cooperative ownership. The project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
– If the project is successful, it will help ensure that local jobs and local services do not disappear, especially in sparsely populated areas. The goal is to get a support structure in place that can continue after the project ends, says Helena Ölund, chairwoman of the regional development committee.
Two projects involving broadband expansion are also receiving support from the ERDF. In both cases, they involve local interconnecting networks, but in different locations in Norrbotten.
“Fast broadband makes it possible to study and work remotely and to run businesses. It is in fact a prerequisite for all development in Norrbotten,” says Helena Ölund.
The municipality of Boden is receiving funding from the European Social Fund (ESF+) for its Green Industrial Training Package project. It will offer adult training and validation to meet the needs of new industries.
With the Move on up project, the municipalities of Gällivare, Jokkmokk, Kiruna and Överkalix are working together to sharpen their work in welcoming and caring for immigrants. This project also receives funding from ESF+.
The decision on which projects are prioritized was made today by the Structural Funds Partnership for Upper Norrland.
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Facts: The Structural Fund Partnership
The Structural Fund partnerships are intended to facilitate common priorities between regional development policy, labour market policy and EU cohesion policy.
The partnership gives priority to applications for the European Regional Development Fund programme and the European Social Fund programme. The Övre Norrland Structural Fund partnership covers the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten.
The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and Development and the Swedish ESF Council as managing authorities make the formal decisions for each project.
Read more
- Here are all ERDF projects in Norrbotten
- Here are all ESF+ projects in Norrbotten
- All priorities of the Structural Funds Partnership 230622
- Cohesion policy within the EU - Develop Norrboten
Contact
Helena Ölund (S), Chair of the Regional Development Committee
070-328 61 48
Helena.olund@norrbotten.se
Monica Lejon, Head of Unit Business and Society
070-387 37 52
monica.lejon@norrbotten.se