The Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) organised the opening conference of the “B Light 2 – Fostering cross-border business cooperation of SMEs operating on different sides of the Hungary-Croatia border” project in Pécs, Hungary.
On this occasion, the first Call for Proposals was also presented, which opens on 24 September and will make EUR 3.75 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) available to entrepreneurs from Croatia and Hungary for cross-border cooperation projects.
“B Light 2 supports the joint development of innovative products, services and technologies by Croatian and Hungarian SMEs. At the same time, the project creates opportunities for sustainable partnerships that can continue to operate after the completion of individual projects, while cross-border cooperation within the Interreg programme thus creates added value and strengthens the competitiveness of entrepreneurs,” Stella Arneri, Director at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, pointed out.
Želimir Kramarić, Member of the Management Board of HAMAG-BICRO, emphasised that the B Light 2 project provides Croatian and Hungarian entrepreneurs with a valuable opportunity to develop new products, services and partnerships, with strong financial support from the European Regional Development Fund. “Under the first Call for Proposals, EUR 3.75 million will be available, with the possibility of co-financing up to 80 percent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of EUR 300,000 per project. We are certain that the project will further connect entrepreneurs on both sides of the border, help them access new markets and contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the entire cross-border region,” Kramarić emphasised.
Zsuzsanna Törő-Ihász, Head of Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, also addressed the conference participants, highlighting the strategic importance of the project for the border region: “B Light 2 provides direct financial and institutional support to Croatian and Hungarian SMEs for the development of joint innovations and technologies and expansion into new markets. Achieving measurable results through projects such as B Light 2 will also be important in preparing for the new Interreg programming period after 2027,” Törő-Ihász stated.
The first Call for Proposals, which will be open until 23 November this year, is intended for SMEs registered in the Croatian Hungarian border programme area. Each project must include at least one Croatian and one Hungarian entrepreneur, while a maximum of four partners is allowed. Research and development organisations may participate in projects provided that the project includes at least two SMEs, one from Croatia and one from Hungary.
Andrea Kakas and János Rakonczai from the Joint Secretariat of the Hungary-Croatia Programme presented the Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia 2021–2027 Programme, under which the B Light 2 project is also being implemented. Project Manager Mirela Hrastinski and Mate Kovač, Director of the Sector at HAMAG-BICRO, presented the project activities and the first Call for Proposals for grants for entrepreneurs.
As part of the conference, which brought together representatives of national and regional institutions, project partners, development agencies and entrepreneurs, B2B business meetings were also held, enabling Croatian and Hungarian entrepreneurs to connect and find potential partners for future cross-border projects. B Light 2 is a strategic project worth EUR 10.79 million, of which EUR 8.63 million is co-financed by the ERDF. The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Croatian Hungarian border area by promoting cross-border cooperation, innovation development and the joint development of products and services.
HAMAG-BICRO is the Lead Partner of the project, while four Croatian and three Hungarian regional development agencies are participating in its implementation as territorial partners.
Documentation for the first Call for Proposals for entrepreneurs is available on the online project platform, while interested entrepreneurs can contact blight@hamagbicro.hr for further information.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
