Lead Organisation:
 Arctic Region Foundation for Vocational Training, Sweden

Project Publications

Final Report Publication.pdf - 1881K
Profile Brochure.pdf - 3577K
Profile Case Study.pdf - 534K
Profile Presentation.ppt - 1984K
Profile project final report.pdf - 207K

Objectives

The overall objectives is to strengthen regional development in rural areas, in the fields of:
· economic development
· social development
· increased employment
· increased cooperation between individuals and organisations

Specific objectives

· to promote new patterns of leadership that are better adapted to the international needs of today’s business life; by handling diversity and making better use of networks
· to promote the supporting organisations, in order to provide services that better meet the needs of female businesses with specific problems in the area
· to create a collaborative and communicative culture as a basis for the development of good relationships and work forums for future cooperation
· to develop tools for successful business development and networking in an area with long distances and sparse population

Project Activities

Concrete activities consist of fostering competence by seminars/workshops, exploration work in small groups, practice in other countries, contact with other networks in Europe, and IT-communication. Russian participation is counted in the project description but not in the budget.

Expected Results

Immediate quantitative results

· Certificate of fulfilled specialised studies
· Establishment of a female trans-national network with over 70 members
· presentation of a minimum of 4 exploratory works
· a total of 50 women will take part in the different activities; such as seminars, meetings and study visits for closer co-operation between network

Other quantitative result

· Establishment of 3 cooperation projects: business cooperation or new projects
· 1 new workplace in each area
· Start of future co-operation with 2 existing European networks
· Two separate studies printed for dissemination
· Improved competitiveness of companies and organisations
· Better quality in strategic planning and decision-making

Results So Far

Both internal and external evaluation shows that participants have obtained:

* new knowledge and experience in the seminars and through international people to people meetings
* new leadership tools such as coaching-concept and individual leadership test with analysis and advice
* Increased skills in international work by training in communicative and collaborative
culture and in cross-cultural issues, both in theory and practice
* New contacts for future business development: individual and business contacts - inside and outside of the network - on transnational and national level

The gaining of these skills has led to increased competence for participants, concrete business development and improved competitiveness for companies. Tangible results are as follows:
* Creation of a transnational network and four national networks
* Creation of 4 new work places as a direct result of the project
* Two books and one printed separate study
* 13 mini-projects (business development or exploratory works) were carried out by participants in international groups
* Start of 3 new business co-operations
* More than 680 people have attended various seminars or other meetings

Further information on the Profile project and its results can be found in the Profile Final Report, which can be downloaded from the Project Publications section above.

•  Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
•  Faroe Islands Trade Council