New Blueprint supports micro-SME internationalisation across the Baltic Sea Region

The BSR Go-abroad partnership has published the BSR Go-abroad Blueprint – a practical guide designed to support organisations and stakeholders working to strengthen internationalisation among micro-SMEs across the Baltic Sea Region.

The Blueprint is the result of three years of cooperation between project partners from seven countries and the direct involvement of 258 micro-SMEs that participated in the BSR Go-abroad programme. Throughout the project, partners tested methods, tools and support approaches aimed at helping smaller companies explore new markets, build international partnerships and strengthen their resilience through cross-border cooperation.

The publication brings together the most important lessons learned during the project and translates them into practical recommendations that can be applied by organisations supporting business development and internationalisation.

What will you find in the Blueprint?

The Blueprint focuses on three key areas:

Lessons learned

What motivates micro-SMEs to internationalise? What barriers prevent them from entering foreign markets? Which support activities create the greatest value?

Drawing on experiences from companies across the Baltic Sea Region, the Blueprint highlights common challenges, success factors and practical insights that emerged during the implementation of the programme.

Tools and methods

The publication presents the approaches and tools tested within the BSR Go-abroad programme, including methods for assessing internationalisation readiness, supporting market exploration, identifying business opportunities and facilitating cross-border cooperation.

These tools can be used by organisations supporting SMEs as well as by companies planning their own internationalisation journey.

Recommendations for future action

The Blueprint also provides recommendations for Business Development Organisations and public authorities interested in strengthening local and regional support ecosystems for internationalisation.

The recommendations are based on practical experiences gathered during the project and reflect the needs identified by participating companies and project partners.

Why is the Blueprint relevant?

Micro-SMEs often face unique challenges when entering international markets. Limited resources, lack of international networks and uncertainty about market opportunities can make expansion difficult.

The BSR Go-abroad Blueprint offers practical guidance based on real-world experiences rather than theoretical models. It provides tested approaches that can help organisations and decision-makers design more effective support measures and help companies take their first steps towards international growth.

The Blueprint is intended for:

• Business Development Organisations,
• innovation agencies and cluster organisations,
• chambers of commerce,
• local and regional authorities,
• micro-SMEs interested in internationalisation.

📖 The Blueprint is available free of charge in the Solutions section of the BSR Go-abroad project website:

https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/bsr-go-abroad/

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