RATIO

We regularly participate in EU projects that complement our objectives of supporting the economic development of the region and making Cork the best place for businesses. Previous projects have included the following themes: female entrepreneurship, marine industries and currently innovation supports for SME’s.

RATIO is funded by the Interreg Europe programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the project aims to identify potential policy change(s) to promote the access and enable rural-based SMEs to reach their potential. RATIO is a collaborative project with a total of 9 partner organisations from 8 countries across Europe and includes the following: Aragonese Federation of Municipalities, Regions and Provinces (FAMCP), Spain; Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig GmbH, Germany; Regional Development Agency of Usti Region, Czech Republic; Malopolska Institute of Local Government and Administration, Poland; Business Confederation of Aragon (CREA), Spain; Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvia; Municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal; Regional Association of Lazio Municipalities, Italy; and Cork Chamber, Ireland. Cork Chamber endeavours to benefit from the interregional learning process where the Chamber can share expertise and learn about best practice examples with a focus on initiatives that can promote the expansion and enhancement of innovation within rural SMEs. This is a four year project which commenced in April of 2016. Cork Chamber’s involvement in this project is specifically focuses on innovation within rural-based SMEs within the Cork region.