Seven projects to help Estonian creative enterprises reach foreign markets

TALLINN - The Business and Innovation Agency (EIS), with co-financing from the European Union, is funding seven support service projects in the creative industries with nearly one million euros to help Estonian creative enterprises increase their exports, find new international partners, and strengthen their competitiveness in foreign markets.

"The funded projects clearly demonstrate the breadth and diversity of Estonia's creative sector - we are helping companies in the music, film, art, architecture, design, marketing, and even the wood industry to enter foreign markets. It is crucial that each project not only provides entrepreneurs with knowledge but also creates practical contacts, cooperation opportunities, and support that helps them reach new clients and partners outside of Estonia," said Kadi Haljand, creative industries theme manager at EIS.

According to Haljand, interest in the grant was high. "A total of 18 applications were submitted for a total of over 2.5 million euros, while the round's budget was approximately one million euros. Consequently, the competition was stiff, and funding was awarded to projects that will most effectively contribute to the growth of the Estonian creative sector's international competitiveness. The selected projects cover a wide range of creative economy fields," she noted.

The aim of the grant for providing support services to creative entrepreneurs is to increase the export capacity of the Estonian creative sector, improve entrepreneurs' awareness of target markets with growth potential, and foster the development of international business relationships and cooperation networks. The grant is available to organizations that provide creative entrepreneurs with export-oriented training, consulting, networking events, opportunities to participate in trade fairs, and other development-supporting services.

The maximum grant amount for a single project is 150,000 euros, and projects will run for up to two years. Each grant recipient must involve at least ten beneficiary creative enterprises in the project, whose development will be supported by these services.

In total, approximately 1 million euros in grants was allocated, co-financed by the European Union.