DELBI 2

Project Delbi 2 was a continuation of project Delbi 1 carried out within Interreg Estonia- Latvia programme 2007-2013. The aim of the project was to facilitate active cooperation between Estonian and Latvian companies.

Cross-border companies need practical and relevant B2B matchmaking. It is very important to promote business climate and opportunities in each country, to make them attractive for starting partnership and exchange of ideas, to start traiding or joint-venture with interested companies.

Delbi 2 objectives were:

• To increase cross-border cooperation between food, wood and tourism SMEs and start-ups, these are defined project target sectors, based on statistics, competences and previous experience.
• Intensify the cooperation between Estonian and Latvian business support organizations by united project as well involving  important partners and stakeholders.
• Increase SMEs competitiveness by increasing export / import knowledge and understanding about EST – LAT market opportunities between Estonian and Latvian SMEs.
   

The project was based on the need for relevant, practical and active business events, what brought companies of food, wood, tourism and start-up sectors together in real business environment:

• 3 Latvia-Estonia Business forums were held. Each organized forum was dedicated to specific project’s target sector. The following activity was used not only as an instrument for presenting project but also for speaking about challenges for common cooperation and promoting opportunities of cross-border cooperation between Latvia and Estonia. During each organized forum 1 company from Latvia and 1 company from Estonia were awarded with Livonia award. 
• 2 long-term training courses for SMEs were organized. Organized training provided the knowledge about practical and competitive steps for export, import and international cooperation.
• 3 participations in Vidzeme Business days in Latvia. Within the activity Estonian and Latvian companies participated in business fair in Valmiera in years 2017, 2018, 2019 with the joint project booth, where they presented their products and services to visitors of the fair.
• 3 times participation in Tartu Business Week in Tartu, Estonia (in 2017, 2018 and 2019). The main goal of the following activity was the development of business contact between Latvian and Estonian companies that represent target sectors. It was planned that the following activity would play important role in leading to first steps for developing cooperation.
• 3 participations in Maamess Expo in Estonia. Within the following activity, Latvian and Estonian companies participated in business fair in Tartu in years 2017, 2018 and 2019 with the joint project booth, where they presented their products and services to visitors of the fair. 
• 7 sectoral trade missions between Latvia and Estonia. 3 trade missions from Estonia to Latvia and 4 trade missions from Latvia to Estonia. Each trade mission was focused on the specific project target sector. Within the following activity its participants had the opportunity to participate in networking activity, to meet ambassadors of Latvia and Estonia as well to visit local companies. Overall, organizing 7 trade missions it was possible to reach 81 participants (the following number includes participants from both Latvia and Estonia).
• 2 online networking events. Originally, the following activities were planned as trade missions - 1 from Latvia to Estonia and 1 from Estonia to Latvia. However, due to restrictions that were occurred because of worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 it was decided to change the format of the last two trade missions. Each of organized networking events was dedicated to specific project’s target sector. The following networking activities provided the opportunity to Latvian and Estonian companies to create a contact that could lead to possible potential partnership. 
• 6 business cooperation videos between Latvia and Estonia were developed and published on YouTube. The main goal of the filmed videos was not only present and promote chosen companies from the target sectors that could lead to attracting new potential cooperation partners from neighbour countries, but also to show their own personal way to success.
• 678 unique participants at the project events.
• 346 enterprises received non-financial support.
• 65 other relevant actors attracted to the project events: 18 municipalities; 1 regional and 13 national public authorities; 33 business support organisations.

Project webpage: www.delbi.eu and Facebook page - Delbi2