INNOEQUINE
Equine industries promoting economically competitive and innovative regions
- Thematic cluster:
- SMEs
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 2. Economically competitive and innovative region
- Direction of support:
- Supporting innovation and improving competitiveness
- Duration:
- May 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years, 8 months)
- Total funding:
- 1 236 050 €
- ERDF funding:
- 939 434 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the growth of SMEs
Development idea
The Central Baltic region has been home to a vibrant range of horse-related interests and activities over many centuries. Horses, equipment and fodder are sold, and enthusiasts visit riding stables and competitions across the region. However, even basic statistics and other information on the region's equine industries was missing. This meant the emerging cross-regional cluster had not been recognised. Innovation processes take place locally, but new ideas are not efficiently distributed. Economic profitability and the competitiveness of the region’s equine businesses are frequently rather modest.
Aim of the project
The INNOEQUINE project assisted the region’s equine industry to improve its economic competitiveness.
Main project activities
This was achieved by providing better management tools for entrepreneurs, developing innovative services of cross-border value and enhancing cross-border networking. The project embarked on analysing the existing data, and then going on to complementing the data through interviews and surveys to establish the baseline. A network was established through meetings, and social media was utilised to encourage cross-border links between stakeholders. In addition, a course for promoting sustainable management of pastures was developed and piloted.
Partners
MTT Agrifood Research Finland
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 514 407 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 171 469 €
Unversity of Helsinki/Department of Agricultural Sciences
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 56 031 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 19 585 €
SLU Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- ERDF funding:
- 257 849 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 85 950 €
Latvia University of Agriculture/ Faculty of Social Sciences
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Zemgale
- ERDF funding:
- 111 147 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 19 615 €
Baltic Studies Centre
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 0 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 0 €
Results
Web tool for horse entrepreneurs
The InnoHorse web tool can help horse entrepreneurs in business planning and development.
The web tool contains information on key legislation regarding manure management, employee and customer safety as well as well-being of horses in Finland and Sweden. In addition, there are examples of good practices in use in stables in Finland, Sweden and Latvia. The user can also find ideas on how to develop business and what to consider when building a new stable.
An innovation guidebook regarding equine business
The guidebook gathers examples of different services and practices in the equine business.
It also contains basic overall information about service development and marketing. It is written to help horse entrepreneurs to gain new ideas and inspiration when they are planning their businesses.
A Guidebook on Practices and Inspiration from Central-Baltic ENG
Policy recommendations regarding the equine sector
Recommendations to improve relevant policy and practices in the equine sector aimed at relevant policy-makers and stakeholders.
A report on the status of the equine sector in the Central Baltic region
The report covers basic descriptions and characteristics of the equine sector in the Central Baltic region.
The information for the report was gathered through literature reviews, round table discussions and interviews with equine organisations and stakeholders, and through visits to farms with equine business activities. The report include statistics on number of horses, horse farms, employment, current structure and recent dynamics in the sector, mobility within the region and other relevant information.
InnoEquine Baseline:Current Status of the Equine Sector in the Central Baltic Region ENG
Report on good practices and innovations in the equine sector
The report shows differences in the equine sector in Finland, Latvia and Sweden but also brings up good and innovative practices.
The report is based on six focus group discussions in Latvia, Finland and Sweden as well as individual interviews.The representatives of the equine sector (horse breeders, equestrian sports, trainers and instructors, horse owners, representatives of the relevant associations), representatives of local, regional and national authorities, mass media and universities participated in the discussions. The research results show that the equine businesses have a number of good practices related to products and services. However, there is space for product, process, organizational and marketing innovations.
Good practices and innovations in the equine sector: Current trends and future opportunities ENG
