INTERREG – Cultivating connections and partnerships in border regions.

B Light 2 – Fostering cross-border business cooperation of SMEs operating on different sides of the Hungary-Croatia border

B Light 2 – Fostering cross-border business cooperation of SMEs operating on different sides of the Hungary-Croatia border is a strategic pilot project that finances the cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Hungary-Croatia border region within the framework of the Interreg V-A Hungary-Croatia Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2021–2027, as a continuation of the strategic B Light project from the previous financial perspective.

The overall objective of the B Light 2 project is to improve the competitiveness of SMEs in the border area between Croatia and Hungary by promoting the development and expansion of advanced capacities for product and service innovation, enabling them to compete more effectively in both local and international markets.

Specific objectives that will be pursued are:

• • Increasing awareness among SMEs in the border region about the role of internationalization as a key driver of innovation.
  • Establishing operational connections between SMEs on both sides of the border to foster collaborative relationships.
  • Supporting collaborative development initiatives among SMEs, aimed at fostering innovation.
  • Offering technical assistance to SMEs in project development and helping them navigate the complexities of cross-border cooperation.
  • Raising awareness of the significance of cross-border economic cooperation and its role in strengthening the regional economy.
  • Boosting the number of joint SME business collaborations in the border region, particularly in rural areas with low economic performance.
  • Promoting cross-border trade among SMEs by providing direct support to economic entities.
  • Encouraging innovation in the region by supporting cross-border innovation cooperation projects among SMEs.

The minimum form of cooperation in Light projects eligible for SME support includes:

• • business cooperation between SMEs in the development of business models based on the creation of products and services with added value,
  • joint innovation between SMEs and R&D

Support will be provided through a grant scheme with mandatory cross-border cooperation.

Each Light Project must consist of at least two (2) Light beneficiaries: one from Croatia and one from Hungary within the programme area.

Co-financing rate

The maximum share of the total EU eligible costs that can be covered by the B Light2 project is 80% of the total eligible expenditure and can be requested as a grant. The rest shall be covered as own contribution of Light Partner themself.

Each Light Partner should provide a minimum of 20% of the total eligible expenditure as its own contribution. Own resources can be composed of any kind of financial resources (e.g. money in the bank account, a bank loan, other donors) with the exception of grants requested from the European Union or from National co-financing resources.

The first call for SMEs to co-finance their cooperating projects is planned at beginning od 2026.

Project partners are:

Lead partner:       

1. 1. Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO),

Territorial partners:

1. 2. Zala Megyei Vállalkozásfejlesztési Alapítvány (HU)
   3. Somogy Társadalmi Felemelkedéséért Fejlesztési,Kommunikációs,Oktatási Nonprofit Kft. (HU)
   4. Baranya Vármegyei Fejlesztési Ügynökség Nonprofit Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság (HU)
   5. Javna ustanova za razvoj Međimurske županije REDEA (HR)
   6. PORA Regionalna razvojna agencija Koprivničko-križevačke županije (HR)
   7. Poduzetnički inkubator Virovitičko-Podravske županije (HR)
   8. Centar za poduzetništvo (HR)

Project duration: 44 months (1.8.2025. – 31.3.2029.)

Total project value is EUR 10.787.875, of which EU funds are EUR 8.630.300.

The amount of EU funds available for SME-s is EUR 7.502.101,86 (total value EUR 9.377.627,33 EUR).