Contact the eRural Knowledge HUB Network –
Expertise and Support Across Borders
“The eRural Knowledge HUB network forms a transnational support ecosystem for rural SMEs and business support organisations, combining bioeconomy expertise, digital transformation capabilities, innovation support, research infrastructures, and extensive regional business networks. Its greatest added value lies in the ability to connect SMEs and business support organizations with specialised expertise across borders while sustaining collaboration beyond the project lifetime.”
The eRural Knowledge HUB Network brings together 14 organisations from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Germany, and Poland. The network provides a transnational support ecosystem for SMEs and business support organisations, connecting them with relevant expertise, knowledge, partners, and development opportunities across the Baltic Sea Region.
In practice, the network focuses particularly on bio-based business development and digitalisation. This may include guidance on refining bio-based product ideas, identifying suitable raw materials, improving sustainable production processes, exploring market potential, and connecting companies with research-based expertise. The network also supports the practical use of digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, e-commerce, and online learning solutions in business development.
The network is built on practical cooperation and knowledge sharing. Rather than acting as a single service provider, it connects companies and business support organisations within the Baltic Sea Region with the expertise, partners, facilities, and development opportunities that best match their needs. This collaborative model makes it easier to find the right support across organisational and national borders.
A particular strength of the eRural Knowledge HUB Network is the diversity of its members, which include universities, development agencies, municipalities, local action groups, and business support organisations. This enables companies to benefit from both scientific expertise and hands-on business development support, allowing SMEs to find support that is relevant to their specific situation and development stage.
Whether you are a company seeking expertise or a business support organisation looking for specialist knowledge, the eRural Knowledge HUB Network can help connect you with the right people and organisations. Contact your nearest HUB partner to explore the expertise and opportunities available through the network!
eRural resilience Hub partners’ network
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK), Finland
Expertise: Food technology · Food safety · Sustainable food systems · Smart agriculture · Resource efficiency · Energy solutions
SEAMK provides expertise in food technology, food safety, sustainable food systems, smart agriculture, resource efficiency, and future-proof energy solutions. Through the Bio Hub, SEAMK offers access to applied research, laboratory services, field testing, expert advice, and international project networks.
Contact: soila.huhtaluhta@seamk.fi
Website: https://foodlabs.seamk.fi/en/ and https://www.seamk.fi/en/research-and-development/research-groups/future-proof-agricultural-and-energy-solutions/
Association of Municipalities of Tartu County, Estonia
Expertise: Stakeholder engagement · Public sector cooperation · Rural development · Networking · SME–expert connections
The Association of Municipalities of Tartu County supports regional stakeholder engagement and facilitates connections between SMEs, experts, public authorities, and business support organisations. The organisation plays an important role in supporting rural development, promoting cooperation and knowledge exchange across the Baltic Sea Region.
Contact: tol@tartumaa.ee
Website: https://www.tartumaa.ee
Business Development Council of Tønder Municipality, Denmark
Expertise: SME development · Rural entrepreneurship · Innovation · Bio-based business · Digitalisation · Business advisory · Mentoring
The council supports SME development, rural entrepreneurship, innovation, bio-based business development, and digitalisation. As a HUB partner, it provides business advisory services, mentoring, training, and international networking opportunities for companies and support organisations.
Contact: raswsoe@toender.dk
Website https://tondererhvervsraad.dk/
Tartu County Development Association, Estonia
Expertise: Rural development · Entrepreneurship · LEADER · Stakeholder engagement · Cooperation networks · Business support
As a LEADER Local Action Group, the organisation promotes rural development through stakeholder engagement, entrepreneurship support, and cooperation networks. It helps connect companies and business support organisations with experts.
Contact: kristiina.tammets@tas.ee
Website: www.tas.ee
RegioVision GmbH Schwerin, Germany
Expertise: SME support · Mentoring · Training · Expert guidance · International cooperation
RegioVision contributes practical SME support through mentoring, expert guidance, training activities, and knowledge sharing. The organisation also supports international networking and cooperation within the HUB network.
Contact: erural@regiovision-schwerin.de
Website: https://www.regiovision-schwerin.de/en/home-2/
JPYP Business Service, Finland
Expertise: Digitalisation · Digital marketing · Artificial intelligence (AI) · Digital solutions · SME support
JPYP Business Service supports companies in starting, developing, and growing their business in the Järvi-Pohjanmaa region, Finland. Within the HUB network, JPYP specialises in digital marketing, AI-related business support, and digitalisation services for SMEs. The organisation helps companies identify suitable digital solutions and connects them with relevant expertise within the network.
Contact: liisa.kuoppala@jpyp.fi
Website:https://www.jpyp.fi/
Valmiera Development Agency, Latvia
Expertise: Digital maturity · SME advisory · Internationalisation · Export · Cross-border cooperation
Valmiera Development Agency supports companies in developing their businesses, improving digital maturity, and expanding into international markets in Latvia. Within the HUB network, the agency specialises in SME digitalisation, business advisory services, and internationalisation support. The organisation helps companies identify suitable digital solutions, strengthen their competitiveness, and connect with relevant experts and cross-border cooperation opportunities.
Contact: liga.veca@valmierasnovads.lv
Website: https://developvalmiera.lv/
DIGITALEUS OÜ, Estonia
Expertise: Digital platforms · E-commerce · Digital content · social media · Automated translation · Digital learning
DIGITALEUS offers expertise in digital platforms, e-commerce, digital content, social media visibility, and automated translation solutions. The organisation maintains the eRural Training Platform and supports SMEs and business support organisations in finding suitable digital tools and learning resources.
Contact: vluna.digitaleus@gmail.com
Website: https://digitaleus.eu/
Into Seinäjoki Ltd, Finland
Expertise: Business development · Start-ups · Business growth · Market entry · Internationalisation · Networking
Into Seinäjoki supports companies in starting, growing, and expanding their business in Seinäjoki, Finland. Within the HUB network, it acts as a contact point for companies seeking business development support, market entry guidance, and international connections.
Contact: info@intoseinajoki.fi
Website: https://intoseinajoki.fi/en/
Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania
Expertise: Bio-business · Business management · Research · Data and knowledge · Training
The university contributes expertise in bio-business development and management. It supports SMEs through knowledge sharing, research-based information, access to data sources, training activities, and expert consultation.
Contact: jolita.greblikaite@vdu.lt
Website www.vdu.lt
Creativity Works Europe, Poland
Expertise: Entrepreneurship · SME development · Rural innovation · Capacity building · Training · Mentoring
Creativity Works Europe focuses on entrepreneurship support, SME development, rural innovation, and capacity building. The organisation contributes through training, mentoring, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation activities.
Contact: creativityworkseurope@gmail.com
Website: https://creativityworkseurope.pl/erural-resilience/
Association for the Development and Promotion of Podkarpacie “Pro Carpathia”, Poland
Expertise: Rural entrepreneurship · Regional products · Sustainable tourism · Business networks · Bioeconomy · SME support
Pro Carpathia specialises in rural entrepreneurship, regional products, sustainable tourism, business networks, and bioeconomy development. It supports SMEs and business support organisations through consultancy, training, networking, and the promotion of good practices.
Contact: agnieszka@procarpathia.pl
Website: https://procarpathia.pl/
Bieliny Commune, Poland
Expertise: Local entrepreneurship · Regional products · Rural development · Business support · Digitalisation · Promotion
Bieliny Commune supports local entrepreneurs, producers, and business initiatives through advisory services, training, promotion of regional products, and participation in international development projects. It also helps businesses strengthen their digital and commercial capabilities.
Contact: eruralresilience@bieliny.pl
Website: https://www.bieliny.pl
ProVarde Business Development, Denmark
Expertise: SME development · Innovation · Bio-based business · Digitalisation · Mentoring · Matchmaking · Internationalisation
ProVarde provides expertise in SME development, innovation, bio-based business development, and digitalisation. The organisation supports companies through advisory services, mentoring, training, matchmaking, and international cooperation opportunities.
Contact: kabe@provarde.dk
Website: www.provarde.dk