Responsible entrepreneurship – a way of increasing SMEs competitiveness during economic crisis Monika Michałowska Pomerania Development Agency Co. WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model

Set up in 1992 on the initiative of the voivodeship authorities Owned by the Marshal of Pomorskie Voivodeship Over 160 employees Mission: We act in favour of sustainable socio- economic development of the Pomerania Region; we provide assistance to businesses and the local authorities; we initiate and support economic ventures of regional significance. WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo

Supporting small and medium sized entrepreneurs; Developing entrepreneurship in the region by promoting and implementing EU grants programmes available to SME sector; Supporting Pomeranian local authorities and SMEs in obtaining EU funds; Assisting local and regional authorities in implementation of regional policy; Promoting the region and its investment opportunities and assisting foreign entrepreneurs interested in investing in the region; Preparing local authorities and entrepreneurs to manage EU financed projects effectively by relevant trainings. Aims: WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo Regional Education Academy Regional Education Academy We build Pomeranian knowledge-based society

Initiating and supporting economic ventures and enterprises of regional significance. Monitoring SME sector in the region; Co-operation within the projects with regional, national and international partners; Looking for new trends and sources of economic competitiveness / advantage. WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo

Corporate Social Responsibility => PROJECT "A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis." (definition by EC) Part of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; Facilitates shaping the competitiveness model desired by Europe; In the context of economic crisis, significant help when building (and rebuilding) trust in business, which is vital for the health of Europe's social market economy can be more relevant than ever. (source: business/corporate-social-responsibility/index_en.htm) business/corporate-social-responsibility/index_en.htm WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo

CSR project: The beginning… Project idea for South Baltic Programme (ERDF) => no interest among potential project partners… Additional call for proposals – request from JTS => reformulating project idea: Responsible Supply Chain concept (international co-operation, transfer of experiences); Contact with Sustainable Sweden Southeast => …and IUC Kalmar. Linking and coordinating experiences on sustainability WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo

RespEn project: Partnership WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo

The meaning and rationale behind the project… Adapting CSR standards to SMEs needs; Providing SMEs with new co-operation opportunities => Responsible Supply Chain concept; Increasing SMEs competitiveness by familiarizing them with CSR management strategy => trainings & workshops; Increasing cross-Baltic co-operation of SMEs => international workshops, study visits, CSR success stories on the website; WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo …creating good environment for companies which want to implement CSR strategy in their operations by education & integrating variety of social partners.

The vision… Application Form as an initial reference; Various ideas, long discussions, culture differences, language misunderstandings => constant negotiations & looking for the best solutions for ALL PARTIES; Openess to possibilities => co-operation with academics, SMEs, students, authorities and big companies… Communication, information, education – never ending process… …and pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place now => COMMON VISION WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo …and different understanding still leads to common goal by winding paths …and different understanding still leads to common goal by winding paths

Lessons learned… COMMUNICATION => s => meetings => teleconferences => videoconferences WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo …there are different cultures of working, of communicating, of solving problems and variety of experience & resources on the both shores of the Baltic Sea. Lets benefit of that!

The future… Core network members: sources of knowledge and experience => Project Partners => Business support organizations => NGOs => Authorities => Academics => Multinational corporations Beneficiary members => SMEs WORKSHOP: Sustainable Baltic Sea as a business model, Malmo …South Baltic CSR network supporting co-operation of SMEs within Responsible Supply Chain.

Thank you for your attention Monika Michałowska Pomerania Development Agency Co. tel