INT4FURN European projects’ Post

💡 Sustainability and inclusivity are no longer optional! As ESG principles become a priority, furniture SMEs have a unique opportunity to lead in ethical design and production. 🌱 From inclusive furniture to eco-friendly practices, #INT4FURN supports SMEs in aligning with these values. ✨ Let’s design a better future, together. 🔗 More info: https://int4furn.eu #INT4FURN #ErasmusPlus #KA2 #smallbusinesses #VET #internationalisation #entrepreneurship

🌐 Teamwork in Action: INT4FURN Project Update 🌐 On Friday, October 18th, our project partners met online to discuss recent progress and plan the next steps. The focus was on working together to create helpful content that will make a real difference in the furniture industry. 🛋️🪑 Through teamwork and shared ideas, we’re getting closer to turning our goals into reality. 💡 By combining innovation and collaboration, we’re building solutions that will help businesses and professionals grow. 📈 Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey! 🚀 #INT4FURN #Teamwork #ProjectUpdate  #Innovation #FurnitureIndustry #ProfessionalGrowth  #ErasmusPlus #KA2 #smallbusinesses #VET #internationalisation #entrepreneurship

The Foundation of European Furniture: Micro-SMEs in Action 💡 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the heart of Europe’s furniture industry, accounting for over 90% of all companies in the sector. These businesses are not only key to innovation and job creation but also drive economic growth across the continent. Did you know that SMEs employ around 1 million people across 130,000 companies? 🌍 SMEs play a crucial role in maintaining Europe’s leadership in design, sustainability, and craftsmanship. However, despite their immense potential, many face challenges in expanding to international markets. This is where INT4FURN steps in. Through dedicated training and resources, INT4FURN helps SMEs develop the skills, strategies, and networks needed to succeed in global markets. By focusing on internationalisation, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, we’re enabling SMEs to thrive beyond borders. 🌎🚀 Let’s support these innovative businesses as they continue to shape the future of the furniture industry worldwide! #INT4FURN #ErasmusPlus #KA2 #smallbusinesses #VET #internationalisation #entrepreneurship

🚀 Advisory Board Online Meetup #2 We had our second session with our amazing advisory board, coming together online from different locations 🌍 Mission for this session: To bring everyone together, share our current status, discuss key insights, and most importantly, outline our next steps. We also explored how our advisory board can contribute their expertise to guide us forward. In the coming months, our primary focus will be on finalizing our master’s thesis, which is being written as a group research project. Writing a thesis collaboratively at the Master SESIN Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation is both a unique and challenging approach, and for us, it’s been incredibly fruitful. Constantly exchanging insights within the team creates space for new ideas, which helps shape the development of fresh concepts and guides the progress of tara🌱 We also took this opportunity to give a sneak peek into our plans for next year. Our main goal will be to deepen our understanding of the pain points faced by our target groups - artisan businesses in emerging economies and designers of home décor and home textiles in European countries. With a kick off field study in Sri Lanka to explore artisan businesses, we want to expand our network in southeast asia along Robert Meeder FRSA & Selyna Peiris from Selyn Textiles. The hints, recommendations, doubts, and fresh ideas shared in this meeting were, as always, invaluable and have fueled our motivation to keep pushing forward! 🚀 A huge thank you to Robert Meeder FRSA, Max Senges, Franka Blumrich, Hannes Graef, and Dustin Meißner for your continued support and for walking this path with us. We’re excited for what’s to come! 🙏 #NextSteps #AdvisoryBoard #Teamwork #CraftBusiness #Sustainability #tara #Innovation #HomeTextiles #EmergingMarkets #MasterThesis #interiordesign

Eco-Friendly Entrepreneurship: Strategies for Reducing Your Business’s Energy Consumption As sustainability and environmental consciousness gain importance, reducing energy consumption becomes more than just a cost-saving measure—it’s a commitment to a healthier planet. For businesses, embracing eco-friendly practices not only fulfills corporate social responsibility but also offers opportunities for long-term savings and enhances brand reputation. In this discussion, we’ll explore practical strategies that businesses can adopt to cut energy consumption and make a significant environmental impact. For more information click here...https://lnkd.in/dPiVj83C

Creativity serves as the cornerstone of innovation, which, in turn, drives economic development. Recognizing this symbiotic relationship, we are committed to empowering imaginative entrepreneurs worldwide. The Puerto Rico Creativo report meticulously explores the island's creative economy, highlighting its profound impact that extends far beyond conventional notions of creativity. We were particularly happy to find fellow entrepreneurial entities such as Grupo Guayacán and Parallel18 featured in the report, underscoring their significant contributions to Puerto Rico's creative landscape. Moreover, the inclusion of Raincoat and Cleancult exemplifies the fusion of creativity with practicality in their solutions, branding, and marketing approaches. This innovative mindset has not only distinguished them in their respective markets but also propelled their success. In an era where creativity is key, communities rely on the ingenuity of individuals to tackle pressing challenges and enhance overall well-being. It is precisely this kind of founder and entrepreneurship that Endeavor champions. Through initiatives like our Huddles, we remain dedicated to nurturing and supporting visionary leaders, catalyzing positive change on a global scale. Kudos to Dyanis de Jesús and Ricardo Burgos for making this report happen and to the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust for supporting creativity and innovation in Puerto Rico.  See the report here: https://lnkd.in/gqBd58FE

☘Our team of researchers, together with colleagues across six European countries, conducted a comprehensive research in order to gather insights from European ecovillages and understand the needs of social entrepreneurs. Over six months, more than 100 interviews and 16 focus groups were held in Serbia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Lithuania and this research resulted in a detailed analysis that informed the development of a skillset and entrepreneurial model for Ecoprise Designers. 🙋In response to today’s growing challenges, the ECOPRISE project aims to create an educational course that empowers entrepreneurs to become Ecoprise Designers - leaders in developing enterprises that support and strengthen both the natural and social environment. 🍂Ecovillages, which are co-living communities focused on social, economic, environmental, and cultural renewal, are recognized as experts in practical, hands-on approach to sustainability and regeneration. The project draws on ecovillages’ expertise to shape the competencies, knowledge, and entrepreneurial model that future Ecoprise Designers will need. #ecoentrepreneurship #ecoentrepreneurs #greenentrepreneurship #research #researchinsights

Why do entrepreneurial, innovative businesses choosing SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center as their home? SkySong offers a number of unique features and advantages for growing companies. Read more about some of SkySong's advantages at the link below! #skysong #scottsdale #innovation #asu #commercialrealestate

The Power of Collaboration: INT4FURN Partners Unite Across Europe! 🌍💼 At INT4FURN, collaboration is the key to growth and innovation in the furniture sector. Our diverse network of partners spans across Spain, Estonia, the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, and Portugal, each committed to empowering micro and small enterprises throughout Europe. Together, we’re building resources, sharing expertise, and creating impactful training tools that will open new doors for SMEs in international markets. Stay tuned to see how our European partnership will help strengthen and globalize the furniture industry! 🌱🚀 #INT4FURN #ErasmusPlus #KA2 #smallbusinesses #VET #internationalisation #entrepreneurship