Baden-Württemberg -

Belarus - Qualification of Managers in Matters of Strategic Business Planning

The training seminars "Working Out Strategic Planning for Belorussian Enterprises", as part of the German Transform Project "Training Programme for Executives of Strategic Management", took place several times in Minsk and in Baden-Wurttemberg. The seminars were carried out by bw-i in co-operation with the High School for Management and Marketing of the Belorussian Economic States University, in Minsk, Belarus, and the Centre of Management and Marketing (ZMM), "Progress", in St. Petersburg, Russia. Experienced German and Russian specialists gave lectures and performed workshops on topics such as management methods, project management, essential financial aspects and key concepts. In addition, participants took part in practical exercises on joint ventures, marketing, entrepreneurship, types of co-operation, crisis management and many others.

Bosnia - Management Training for Refugees Returning to Bosnia, in Zenica-Doboj

Baden-Wurttemberg initiated a program to assist returning refugees from Baden-Württemberg to Bosnia and Herzegovina. bw-i arranged management and practical training courses for these refugees, especially on the topics of SME development, start-up training and joint ventures. The program consisted of training for approx. 100 refugees, who wanted to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina and start a business there. In addition, 25 entrepreneurs from Zenica-Doboj, Bosnia received business training in Bosnia.

Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina - A sustainable cross-border Tourism Concept fort the Countries in South East Europe

The project area Lonjsko Polje / Croatia and the adjoining area in Bosnia-Herzegovina is a well-developed nature reserve with great touristic potential. Together with the local actors, potentials and difficulties for a sustainable tourism development and cross-bordering cooperation are analysed. The findings will be evaluated and new target-group-specific offers will be developed.

The project is carried out by the German Economic Institute for Tourism e.V (dwif Consulting) together with Baden-Württemberg International on behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency.

Czech Republic - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Czech and foreign companies. Until 2008, 201 companies participated in the project.

Germany and Slovenia - Promotion of Co-operation between Slovenian and German Companies by bw-i

This project consists of the promotion of economic co-operation between companies from Baden-Wurttemberg and Slovenia through the organisation of co-operation events, advisory services for individual companies and public relations work. Since 1991, bw-i has been promoting the economic co-operation between Slovenian and German companies, mainly through three means: First, co-operation events, which are held either in Germany or in Slovenia to provide a basis for the companies to get in direct contact with each other through business delegations. Co-operation events were carried out in Ljubljana and in Stuttgart , each with about 250 companies participating. The following co-operation event was held in Celje (combined with Zagreb). Second, individual advisory services are being provided in Stuttgart for German companies seeking Slovenian business partners. Third, through the publishing of a monthly newsletter, Slovenian companies are given the opportunity to search for German co-operation partners.

Kosovo - Complementary services for strengthening advisory and support services provided to farmer and rural communities

The objective of this project is to support the Kosovo Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) build further on the development process of rural economy, to reduce rural poverty, to ensure food security, while ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources. The purpose is to strengthen advisory services provided to farmers and rural communities throughout Kosovo. The SASS II project builds upon SASS I and consists of further capacity to facilitate, provide, develop and deliver advisory services to farmers and rural communities. The primary target group is ministry staff within the advisory services, municipalities and private sector advisors. The expected outputs are to assist the RDASD in the development and implementation of a strategy to deliver advisory services to farmers and rural communities in line with the policies and strategies of MAFRD.

Poland - Economic Support for Farmers in Silesia and North Poland

Through this project, bw-i supported the German minority in Poland, especially through the economic aid for farmers via assistance in purchasing agricultural machines and tools. Additionally, bw-i assisted in procurement and the monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Poland - Establishment of the Communal Water Supply in Upper Silesia

This project consisted of the establishment of joint water authorities, construction of water networks, and promotion of local initiative. Technical consultation (on pipelines, distribution networks, wells, and water treatment plants) was offered and building work was completed to supply drinking water to 52 communities in Upper Silesia. Water authorities have been formed in 11 communities. In a second stage, sewage installations will be planned and constructed. Courses are held, both locally and in the Federal Republic of Germany, for municipal decision-makers on future-oriented concepts of inter-communal co-operation in the fields of drinking water supply, solid waste, and waste water disposal.

Poland - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Polish and foreign companies.

Poland - Support of the Silesian Chamber of Economy

bw-i provides consultancy services and support for the Silesian chamber of economy, assists SMEs, and fights against unemployment. The consultancy services are on issues of organisation and business management, as well as qualification seminars for the staff. In addition, bw-i also supported co-operation in more than 50 seminars and workshops with approximately 1000 participants from regional SMEs, as well as management training in business planning and international marketing.

Romania - Improving the Institutional Framework and the Organisation of the Ministry for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Cooperatives

Aware of the importance of the SME sector, Romania established a Ministry for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Co-operatives in 2001. As part of the PHARE twinning programme, the project’s general objectives were to support the participants in Romania and Baden-Wurttemberg in strengthening their economic relations, in profiting from positive and negative experiences in Baden-Wurttemberg and other European regions, in obtaining the necessary professional background to conduct complex projects, and in becoming familiar with the EU in the context of SME assistance (acquis communautaire, relevant rules, conditions, and support structures).

Romania - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Romanian and foreign companies. In the end of 2008, 621 companies participated in the project.

Romania - Establishment of a Consultation Service for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Satu Mare and Temeswar Regions

bw-i established consultation centres in the regions of Satu Mare and Temeswar to promote small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, bw-i provided direct advice on pertinent questions of these companies, as well as further consultation to encourage business relations between Romanian and foreign companies and to promote the access to the European markets. Furthermore, advanced training is offered to Romanian consultants, both locally and in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Russia - Development of a Business Promotion Concept for St. Petersburg

In close co-operation between the German and Russian Government, a community for 188 German-Russian families was built in Peterhof-Stelna, a suburb of St. Petersburg. A component of the settlement is an industrial area for national and international companies, which want to relocate in Peterhof-Strelna and create jobs for the German-Russian settlers. In addition, bw-i developed a conception for business promotion for the industrial area in Peterhof-Strelna.

Russia - Establishment of a Consultation Centre for Start-ups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in St. Petersburg

Four independent institutions for SME consulting services and management training were united in a consultation centre for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Consulting experts from all involved institutions were trained by German consultants. In addition, numerous Russian companies were advised via on-the-job training for the Russian experts. Further consultation was given to encourage business relations between Russian and foreign companies and to promote access to European markets. Advanced training was given to the Russian consultants, both locally and in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Russia - Establishment of a Wood-working Service Centre for Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development

bw-i established a service centre in the wood-working sector for the development of SMEs. The aim of the centre is the development of SMEs through technology services, i.e. improving the competitiveness of existing SMEs and establishing new ones. The main activities of the centre include: production, tool service, vocational training, consulting, procurement and international co-operation. Short and long-term experts were sent to Ekaterinburg from Germany for the realisation of these aims. The measures also include the training of counterpart multipliers.

Russia - International Co-operation Between Russia and the State of Baden-Wurttemberg in the Field of Management Training

This project consisted of the implementation of six two-week management courses in Baden-Wurttemberg for Russian managers. The subjects of the seminars included: market economy, marketing, project management, personnel management, cost calculation, controlling and financing. In addition, business contacts and visits to German enterprises were arranged.

Russia - Management Training for Russian Managers in St. Petersburg

This project consisted of the organisation of a series of training courses for top Russian managers in the Centre for Marketing and Management in St. Petersburg, conducted by staff members of German companies seeking access to the Russian market. Topics of the courses included modern company management in a social market economy, strategic management, project management, controlling, marketing and personnel management.

Russia and Ukraine - Training Programme for Russian / Ukrainian Managers in Germany

Since 1997, the German Federal Government supports a training and traineeship programme for Russian junior managers initiated by the Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. In 2000, a similar programme started for Ukraine. bw-i has been assigned by the German InWent gGmbH to lead one of the six consortia that execute the manager training programme. In co-operation with InWent, bw-i preselects the training candidates in Russia and Ukraine, carries out seminars, develops and coordinates traineeships in Germany, arranges the internships in German companies and evaluates the programme during a follow-up. Participants from both countries already have or will obtain decision-making authority in their companies. Thus, the programme provides a unique possibility to German companies that offer internship placements to the candidates: they have the chance to learn first-hand about market potentials and opportunities in Russia or Ukraine, they can initiate partnerships with companies in these countries and, by qualifying a Russian or Ukrainian junior manager, can advertise their companies. Every year, bw-i and its partners arrange internships for 60 to 70 Ukrainian and Russian managers from diverse industrial sectors.

Slovakia - Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported through specific commercial and technical advice, management training, provision of equipment, machines, tools, appliances, and training measures, tailored especially to fit the individual company’s needs, with the hope that this will enable these companies to secure their business, create new jobs, adapt to market-oriented products, increase competitiveness, and improve product quality. An important aspect of the project are the consultations offered on technology transfer and on problems concerning the co-operation between Slovak and foreign companies.

Slovakia - Pilot Study on Possibilities of Using Waste for Building Transport Network

A general strategy for the Slovak transport sector was developed for the use of recycled construction materials in the building of new roads and rail substructures, which previously did not exist in Slovakia. The activities of the pilot study concern the preparation of the following: a feasibility survey of the organisation of transport construction waste recycling and considerations on rentability; a survey of the state-of-the-art technologies in EU member states; a survey about the organisation and marketing within EU member states; identification of legal demands for implementation with the relevant EU guidelines being of highest priority; identification of environmental and macroeconomic advantages; recognition of investment demands; and recommendations for practical organisation/implementation of a recycling plant network in Slovakia.

Slovakia - Establishment of a Consultation Service at the National Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

bw-i established advisory centres for consultation services in order to give direct advice to these companies on questions concerning access to the European markets and relations between Slovak and foreign companies, as well as to lecture in courses on these subjects. In addition, bw-i supports the training of Slovak consultants, locally as well as in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Ukraine - Development information basis tourism industries over creation of a network of the tourist information centres

This project was created to structure and design a strategy to develop a functioning network of Tourist Information Centres (TIC) in the Ukraine. In different regions of the Ukraine the present system of tourist information facilities was analysed. Based on this analysis, the recommendations of international tourism experts and the Ukrainian long-term strategy, the National Tourism Administration of Ukraine will be able to develop an efficient approach to improve tourist information infrastructure.