Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Date of latest update: 2026-05-22

Description

Description (EN):

This project addresses critical challenges faced by businesses in rural areas of Ireland, Iceland, & Finland, where geographic isolation, aging populations, & declining business transfers threaten sustainability. Building on the Interreg NPA Eboost project, it offers an innovative approach to enhance business continuity & sustainability through digitalisation, focusing on strengthening digital skills & providing tailored support to boost competitiveness & facilitate business transfers. BOCOD responds to recent shifts in rural business environments, including changes in work-life balance, remote work, & the influence of AI. To thrive, rural businesses must adapt to new technologies and evolving expectations. Key outputs include a comprehensive analysis of the resource landscape (WP1), digital skills training (WP2), & resources for business continuity & transfers (WP3). Through transnational collaboration, the project will ensure rural businesses are prepared for future transitions.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The BOCOD project addresses the challenges faced by rural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland, Finland, and Iceland, particularly in terms of digitalisation and business succession. These challenges are especially urgent in rural regions where ageing populations, limited digital infrastructure, and business continuity concerns threaten long-term economic resilience. So far, the project has successfully completed the first phase of activity: mapping and evaluating the current landscape of digital and succession-related resources. This involved reviewing over 100 national, regional, and European supports, such as funding schemes, policies, digital tools, training programmes, and strategic framework, that impact rural entrepreneurs. The partnership convened in Oulu, Finland in August 2025, for a working meeting to reflect on these findings. This collaborative process added clear value by enabling partners to compare resources and challenges across regions, something that would not be possible without transnational cooperation. The team applied a structured Resource-Based View (RBV) framework to assess the value and transferability of these resources across the partner regions and where BOCOD might feasibly support the gaps in question. This analysis provided a strong foundation for identifying key gaps, such as: Tailored digital training for rural SMEs. Tools to support succession planning or business transfers. Resources to help entrepreneurs consider buying, rather than starting, a business. Main outputs to date include: A preliminary resource mapping report covering all three countries (uploaded). A living roadmap outline to guide future support for rural digitalisation and business continuity (not uploaded yet as not finalised until later period). The beginnings of a design of a transnational survey and interview framework to gather direct insights from SMEs and business support organisations (not uploaded yet as not finalised until later period). These outputs are now feeding into Work Package 2 (Digitalisation) and Work Package 3 (Succession and Transfer), ensuring that the next phase of activity is targeted and evidence-based.

Project outputs: Roadmap of regional digital and business transfer support resources.(EN)
Rural businesses, BSOs and educational institutions supported through digital resources and training.(EN)
Delivery of evidence-based, best practice digital training resources. (EN)
Pilot actions for business continuity and transfer planning(EN)
Solutions for Future Resource Building to Boost Business Continuity and Vibrant Rural Regions(EN)

Thematic information

Demographic change and immigration ICT and digital society Rural and peripheral development

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_1) Strengthening the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO1.2. Reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 018 IT services and applications for digital skills and digital inclusion

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Munster Technological University

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE714786EH

Department: Hincks Centre for Entrepreneuship Excellence, School of Business

Address: Rossa Avenue, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland

Department address: Rossa Avenue, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://hincks.mtu.ie/

Total budget: EUR 554 030.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 360 119.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 193 910.50

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Vestfjardastofa

Name: Vestfjardastofa

Department: N/A

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ID: 580518-1170

Address: Árnagata, 400 Ísafjörður , Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.vestfirdir.is/is/eng

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 65 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 000.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Austurbrú ses.

Name: Austurbrú ses.

Department: N/A

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 640512-0160

Address: Tjarnarbraut, 700 Egilsstaðir , Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.austurbru.is

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 65 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 000.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Oulun yliopisto

Name: Oulun yliopisto

Department: Kerttu Saalasti Institute

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI02458955

Address: Pentti Kaiteran katu, 90570 Oulu, Finland

Department address: Pajatie , 85500 Nivala, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.oulu.fi/en/university/kerttu-saalasti-institute

Total budget: EUR 214 590.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 139 483.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 75 106.50

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Business Joensuu Oy

Name: Business Joensuu Oy

Department: N/A

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI29212701

Address: Länsikatu , 80110 Joensuu, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://businessjoensuu.fi/en/

Total budget: EUR 302 751.96

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 196 788.77

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 105 963.19

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Contractors:

Name: Grano Oy
VAT registration or tax identification number: 2197935-0
Name: Atea Finland Oy
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0919156-0
Name: Pedler Ky
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1463828-3
Name: Joen Lahjakulma Ky
VAT registration or tax identification number: 2882309-2
Name: JTT Audit Oy
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0712332-9

Lapin Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Name: Lapin Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Department: Digital Solutions, Tornio

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI25287925

Address: Jokiväylä, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland

Department address: Kauppakatu, 95400 Tornio, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.lapinamk.fi

Total budget: EUR 228 221.96

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 148 344.27

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 79 877.69

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Westfjords Regional Development Office

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Partners and Projects info

East Iceland Regional Development Office

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Partners and Projects info

University of Oulu

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Partners and Projects info

Business Joensuu Ltd

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Partners and Projects info

Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Partners and Projects info

Munster Technological University

Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Project acronym: BOCOD

Project ID: NPA0800212

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Eboost (EN) | This project explored factors influencing business creation or takeover in rural areas, focusing on entrepreneurial and digital readiness. Results show high potential for innovation and work-life balance in rural regions, but concerns over digital infrastructure and financial resources deter many from starting or continuing businesses. Findings support a holistic approach to fostering business continuity. PP1 MTU and PP3 BJOE were involved in Eboost. (EN), JATKIS project (ESF) (EN) | The project developed a digital tool for analyzing a company's operations and determining its value, offering a risk-based assessment to help establish a reasonable sale price and calculate the payback period. Insights from the JATKIS project emphasize that the selling process should begin years in advance. BOCOD's actions aim to address this long-term planning, ensuring businesses are prepared for succession well ahead of time. (EN), WPOWER - Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in sparsely populated Northern communities (EN) | WPOWER created tools for transnational learning, peer-mentoring and business coaching in context of woman entrepreneurship, but the tools could be applicable and further developed in BOCOD. WPOWER has also legacy in clever digital solutions piloted in upskilling in distance, online peer-mentoring and hybrid event organizing, all forced by the pandemic. PP3 BJOE and PP2 Lapland UAS were involved in WPOWER as main partners. (EN), Mimmit koodaa (Women code) programme (EN) | The program aims to significantly increase traditionally underrepresented women in Finland's software and technology sectors. It empowers women by equipping them with essential skills and confidence to pursue tech careers, leading to better job opportunities and economic independence. The initiative offers best practices in digital skills training and motivation to learn, helping to close the gender gap in tech while fostering long-term professional growth for women. (EN), CooCon - Hållbara ägarförändringar (EN) | Swedish project, which is currently working to digitize process to support companies before a change of ownership. Project partners have worked since 2019 with this particular area and then built up solid knowledge and understanding of the target group's needs. Now they pack this knowledge and guidance in a new digital form. First contacts towards project partners from BOCOD have been made to co-operate. (EN), BT-Renew (Interreg Aurora project preparation) (EN) | The Cross-border business transfer & Renewal Ecosystem in three regions -project application will be submitted to Interreg Aurora in October 2024. Universities from Finland and Sweden are involved in the project application. The goal of the project is to promote cross-border business transfers in Finland and Sweden and cooperation between public and private business transfer actors in rural areas. If both projects are funded, there will be cooperation between them. (EN), InBets+ (Innovative business transfers in the BSR +) (EN) | InBets+ boosted the success rates of SME business transfers in the Baltic Sea Region - geographically relevant area for this NPA initiative. The project both carried out consultations with SMEs and train-the-trainer sessions with business advisors. InBets+ created online training course, tools and models to be benefitted as a background also in this project. (EN), OVKV-project (EN) | The aim of the project is to increase the understanding, especially among SMEs, of ownership transfers as part of international growth and to support the networking of Finnish companies in the European business market. The project is being implemented by the Federation of Finnish Enterprises in cooperation with partners. The duration of the project is from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025 (EN), STOB regions (Succession and Transfer of Business in Regions) (EN) | The STOB Regions project, addressing business transfer challenges in 9 EU regions, underscored the importance of ensuring the survival of existing businesses, as transferred businesses tend to have higher success rates than start-ups. BOCOD can build on STOB Regions' outcomes by refining models to tackle succession challenges and improving methods that support business transfers, ultimately enhancing strategies for sustaining and growing rural businesses. (EN), VALO (EN) | The project developed a nationwide digital service platform (www.ov-info.fi) for the business transfer, including services such as buyer and seller self-assessment tests, an interactive Business Transfer service path, a database of information and materials. BOCOD can help disseminate these services transnationally. (EN), Target Circular (EN) | This project is a collaboration between institutions in Ireland (PP1 MTU), Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden.The project aims to create and disseminate materials with business advisors and policymakers in each participating country, promoting evidence-based policies and training approaches to incorporating a more scientific approach to decision-making. The goals of ths project directly align with those that BOCOD has identified. (EN), WeRin (EN) | This project (involving PP1 MTU) explores making entrepreneurship education and support programmes more gender inclusive, allowing women to feel invited into entrepreneurship, and structurally more inclusive, seeking wider female representation within the entrepreneurial ecosystems, greater access to and embeddedness within regional networks, as well as better access to available resources. The outputs generated by BOCOD will directly benefit this population. (EN), SilverSMEs (EN) | This project (involving PP1 MTU) supports the development of new SMEs in the Silver Economy, generating services and goods that will contribute to improve the quality of life within an ageing society, in particular in rural or remote EU areas. Additionally, the geographical emphasis aligns with the priorities of the BOCOD project, which similarly seeks to boost economic development and sustainability in rural areas through innovative business solutions. (EN), Stem Valorise (EN) | This project targets technical universities and early-stage STEM researchers in partner countries (including PP1 MTU), providing educational resources to enhance their entrepreneurial competences. By empowering researchers, the project aims to create a greater societal impact through research valorisation. The project has strong synergies with BOCOD emphasing innovation, education, economic growth, and entrepreneurship. (EN), ReStartUp Lappi (EN) | This project (involving PP2 Lapland UAS) complements BOCOD by providing insight in business succession and ownership transfer. Leveraging ReStartUp's experience with matchmaking events, workshops, and stakeholder engagement enhances strategies for supporting SMEs and micro-businesses in rural areas. Established links with organizations involved in ownership transitions further strengthen collaboration, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainable business continuity and succession planning. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 499 593.92

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 974 736.04

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 974 736.04. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Stakeholders insight report into the current availability of digital and business transfer support
A regional roadmap that provides a strategic plan for enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Digital and business transfer support resource gap analysis report.
Rural business trend analysis report
Comprehensive training program materials for SMEs and micro-businesses.
Comprehensive training program materials for BSOs.
Evaluation of pilot programmes from 18 pilot companies
Evaluation of pilot programmes from 6 BSOs
Central repository of digital resources and case study videos for SMEs, micro-businesses and BSOs
Tailored learning materials on digital tools for HEIs and educational/training centres
Training program template for piloting and gathering participants for pilot.
Dissemination of training program
Designing the transnational peer-networking guidelines for SMEs
Transnational peer-networking pilot for SME's
Joint platform for dissemination
Platform for all project materials

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The BOCOD project responds to the following EUSBSR Action Plan sub-objectives: (1) Connecting people in the region, and (2) Improved global competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region. The project also covers the Policy Area "Innovation" Action 2: "Digital innovation and transformation".
SeaBasinStrategyArcticOcean BOCOD project supports the inclusive and sustainable development of the Arctic regions to the benefit of its inhabitants and future generations, focusing also on the needs of Indigenous Peoples, women and the young. Project stimulates an innovative green, blue and digital transition.
TerritorialAgenda2030 Based on the Agenda, the transition to a sustainable digital society can support decentralized and sustainable developments. Also, new technologies for online services can reduce the sensitivity of peripheral areas to such relocation pressures. Digitalization and disruptive technologies will shape economic and societal development in Europe, which this project supports.
Other BOCOD activities support ECs "SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe". EC aims to facilitate business transfers and support Member States in their efforts of establishing a transfer-friendly business environment. The reasons for unsuccessful business transfers include lack of early preparation, difficulty in finding a successor, and unfavorable tax and regulatory measures. The importance of digitalization is also emphasized in the document.
Other Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisations (RIS 3): Digital agenda for Europe states that ICT is a powerful driver for economic growth, innovation and increased productivity. BOCOD aims for the same goals.
Other The EU rural vision (2040) highlights digital transformation and aims for boosting competencies needed for the digital transformation of rural areas. The vision emphasizes that development of digital capacities in rural areas will improve their attractiveness, of which BOCOD project activities also target to.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 014 - Public institutions supported to develop digital services, products and processes, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 011 - Users of new and upgraded public digital services, products and processes, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

332 / 332 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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