eRural resilience – Digitalisation and Bioeconomy as Rural Vitality Boosters

“Within the project, a step‑by‑step method has been developed to support businesses in assessing their readiness and developing new products. The method also acts as a bridge between SMEs and s organisations, enabling individualized assessments and assistance”, says Liisa Kuoppala, the project manager at Järvi‑Pohjanmaan Yrityspalvelu Oy.

This blog was originally published on www.biotalous.fi  on June 13, 2025.

https://www.biotalous.fi/erural-resilience-digitaalisuus-ja-biotalous-maaseudun-elinvoiman-vahvistajina/

 eRural resilience – Digitalisation and bioeconomy as rural vitality boosters

What would you think of a rural business that utilises local renewable natural resources and digital tools in its operations? To accelerate the growth of such e‑bio‑businesses, the eRural Resilience project has been launched, supporting the emergence of e‑bio‑business in rural areas by offering a comprehensive solution for local authorities and business development centres.

The Interreg BSR‑funded eRural Resilience project involves 14 partners across seven countries: Estonia, Finland, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Latvia and Lithuania. The project runs until the end of October 2026.

The alliance of bioeconomy and digitalisation for rural development

The project’s ultimate goal is to strengthen rural vitality by more tightly linking the bioeconomy with digitalisation. It provides concrete tools and networks to help businesses utilise renewable biological resources and implement digital solutions in their operations. This approach supports both economic growth and ecological sustainability.

Two tools have been developed within the project to support both businesses and business‑service organisations. The first tool is aimed at business‑service organisations. It allows assessment and development of expertise needed to support e‑bio‑business. The second tool is designed for businesses and acts as a sparring support to identify strengths and development needs.

JPYP’s role and experiences in the project

Järvi‑Pohjanmaan Yrityspalvelu Oy (JPYP) is one of the three Finnish partners. Also involved are Into Seinäjoki and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. We have contributed to the development of both tools and piloted them within our own organisation.

The electronic self‑assessment tool, based on competency‑profile analysis, is now accessible to all business service organisations. Link for assessment: www.ebiobusiness.eu/assessment/

It enables users to identify and map their own strengths and pinpoint areas for development. The competency profile outlines key skills and areas needed to support SMEs in combining bioeconomy and digitalisation, including:

• Business and management
• Digital skills
• Biological production and sustainability
• Networking

A method for promoting e‑bio‑business in SMEs

At JPYP, we have noticed that many rural businesses have significant bioeconomic potential, but need support to adopt digital tools and expand markets. The networks and tools provided by the project help companies in this development.

Within the project, a step‑by‑step method has been developed to support businesses in assessing their readiness and developing new products. The method also acts as a bridge between SMEs and support organisations, enabling individualized assessments and assistance. Following the analysis, entrepreneurs and advisors can enhance their expertise via recommended educational videos. An international video repository contains over 2,000 minutes of practical materials on e‑bio‑business, including success stories, step‑by‑step tutorials, cautionary examples and practical tips in varying lengths.

Future outlook and objectives

In the next phase, the developed tools and methods will be piloted. The goal is to analyse 200 companies and support 60 in transitioning toward bio‑business. Additionally, two international competence hubs – a Bio‑Hub and a Digi‑Hub – will be established to provide continuous support to companies via experts from member states. The Finnish partners will coordinate both hubs.

These measures aim to enable rural businesses to take advantage of bioeconomy and digitalisation opportunities, thereby strengthening the vitality and sustainability of rural regions.
The eRural Resilience project supports, among others, the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 13: Climate Action

Programme Manual Online

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