BRIDGE (Business Resilience Initiative for Development & Growth Ecosystems) is an Interreg Aurora-funded project that brings together companies and business support actors in Finland and Sweden. From 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2029, the project will create new contacts, knowledge and tools for a stronger business sector in the Kvarken region. The work includes analyses, company meetings, competence development, a growth programme, matchmaking, webinars and strategic dialogue. BRIDGE is implemented by Kvarken Council EGTC as Lead Partner together with Business Kristinestad, Ab Jakobstadsregionens Utvecklingsbolag Concordia, Skellefteå Municipality, Umeå Municipality and Vasaregionens Utveckling Ab VASEK.
The aim is to help small and medium-sized enterprises become more competitive and better prepared for global changes and disruptions. The companies receive support in developing robust business models, strengthening their innovation capacity and managing resilience-related risks. New contacts across the Kvarken can also provide more supplier alternatives, cross-border collaborations and business opportunities. The project is aimed particularly at enterprises in manufacturing, energy and technology, construction and civil engineering, food production and processing, as well as trade, logistics and transport.
The work is divided into three work packages. First, trade across the Kvarken Strait and the needs, vulnerabilities and critical dependencies of companies are mapped. Companies are then given the opportunity to develop their operations through a cross-border growth programme for 20 companies, as well as webinars and matchmaking events. The project also analyses important clusters, supplier networks and value chains. A policy lab brings together key regional stakeholders to discuss shared challenges, collaboration needs and possible courses of action.
The goal of the project is to create more and stronger cross-border business relationships across the Kvarken. Broader and more reliable supplier networks and better knowledge of risks provide companies with a more solid basis for future decisions. The project will meet with approximately 200 companies while strengthening cooperation between the region’s business support actors. The lessons learned will be compiled into a shared basis for a roadmap to strengthen business sector resilience in the Kvarken region.
Maria Ljungeld
Projektledare
BRIDGE Business Resilience Initiative for Development & Growth
+358 50 4004 274
maria.ljungeld@concordia.jakobstad.fi