Strengthening SMEs in the Lighting Sector Through EU Tenders

Internationalization

In the wake of the pandemic, helping SMEs gain access to public procurement has become one of the strategic support measures implemented by industry clusters. The long-term viability of SMEs will be crucial to post-crisis recovery. Participating in public tenders in third countries represents a major opportunity for SMEs and an important source of financing and market access. However, they often struggle to win such contracts because they face various trade barriers, discrimination, and a lack of transparency.

EXTRA LIGHT © Pixabay/3D Animation Production Company

The main goal of EXTRA LIGHT is to strengthen cross-border collaboration among European lighting industry clusters and to jointly pave the way for SMEs to participate in public procurement in non-EU third countries. EXTRA LIGHT, which represents more than 500 SMEs in the lighting industry from Italy, France, Spain, Austria, and Poland, will develop a specific, long-term, market-oriented joint internationalization strategy for public procurement in the United States, Canada, and Japan.

EXTRA LIGHT will strengthen the role of partner clusters and support SMEs in overcoming administrative, technical, and regulatory barriers that limit their access to public tenders through customized ProcureLight training, simulation workshops, and one-on-one consulting services. Innovative IT tools for bid tracking will help them capitalize on all opportunities in the public market.

EXTRA LIGHT offers SMEs more than just strategies—it proposes practical measures tailored to their bidding goals, capacities, and scale. The project partners will guide SMEs through the entire procurement cycle—from forming bidding consortia and meeting with public procurers to actually applying and submitting bids—with support from high-level experts, the EEN, and other business support organizations involved in the project. The project strategy will amplify the project’s impact and ensure the utilization, replication, and sustainability of the results after the project’s completion. Relevant exit criteria will prompt the project promoters to carry out specific follow-up activities, assume project ownership, and engage the EU and COSME target groups in securing the EXTRA LIGHT results in the long term.

Project Completion and Results

The EXTRA LIGHT project marks a significant milestone in supporting SMEs in the lighting and furniture industries as they expand into international markets. With the successful completion of the project, comprehensive resources are now available that are specifically designed to help companies navigate the complex landscape of public procurement in Canada, the U.S., and Japan.

The catalog of strategic business partners and intermediary organizations that was compiled provides a valuable database for networking opportunities and expertise.

>> Download Catalog

The local workshops and international webinars that were held have deepened knowledge of public procurement procedures and demonstrate the project’s commitment to imparting practical know-how.

>> Download Workshop Records

The Vademecum and the EXTRA LIGHT White Book serve as indispensable guides that highlight best practices and offer strategic recommendations for successful participation in tenders.

>> Download Vademecum

>> Download White Book

Overall, the EXTRA LIGHT project helps lay a solid foundation for the future competitiveness and growth of SMEs in a global context.

^{“Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”}

For more information, visit: https://extralightproject.eu/