The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth intends, with the support of funds from the EU's rural development programme (LBP), to procure advisory services for increased digital maturity and strengthened business and / or business development in micro and small enterprises in rural areas (The target group).

The actions will aim at increasing digital maturity through business and/or business development to increase the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (0-49 employees) in our rural areas.

This procurement comprises a total value of SEK 28,400,000.

The supplier will coordinate communication and advisory efforts to the assignment that will contribute to an increased digital maturity in micro and small businesses in rural areas. The advisory efforts that are carried out will strengthen the companies' digital business and / or business development so that the companies can increase their competitiveness, remain and continue to develop in our rural areas.

The supplier must have its own business advisors / business developers or have a wide network of advisory actors with knowledge of Rural areas, the target group micro and small enterprises in rural areas and good and documented knowledge of digital models, tools and methods for business and / or business development at this Target group of companies.

The advisory efforts will be aimed at micro and small enterprises in rural areas (companies with 0-49 employees) with an overall goal of contributing to more digitally mature companies within the target group. Through the advisory efforts offered by the Supplier, companies will increase their digital maturity and thus also be able to strengthen their business and / or business development. In this way, companies can make sustainable investments, develop new products and services, establish new channels and reach new markets. The efforts also strengthen the sustainability perspective in companies and in the long term contribute to the creation of more jobs in our rural areas.

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth will hire external auditors for financial review of the assignment, as well as hire an independent third party for quality follow-up.

For further information – please read Appendix A. Mission Statement.