Project
Tolerance - Strengthening the ability to change
Project sponsors
The purpose
of the project has been to enhance the resilience of businesses, which means
their ability to respond to changes by taking into account the well-being of
their personnel. The project's actions were aimed at minimizing the
negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis and developing adaptability, along with
anticipatory skills, so that companies would have better tools for success in
evolving operational environments and business changes.
Within the project, resilience was improved for small and
micro-enterprises as well as sole entrepreneurs, and the expertise of regional
business developers was enhanced to support resilience in businesses. Based
on the pilots, development work, and expert work, the project produced
approaches through which companies can improve their resilience, employee
well-being, and their ability to react to rapid changes in the present and
future.
The operational model involved utilizing existing resilience
studies, development models, and tools to ensure the project's actions provide
the quickest and most impactful benefits. Peer learning were
closely integrated into the project.
The project formed a partnership with the Revanssi project
(European Regional Development Fund). Both projects aimed to strengthen the
readiness of companies and entrepreneurs to anticipate changes and renew their
business.
The project was funded by the European Social Fund (ESF;
Central Finland ELY), with JAMK as the project administrator, and participant
organizations including Witas Oy, Karstulanseutu Oy, Keulink Oy, and the
University of Oulu's Kerttu Saalasti Institute (Micro-Entrepreneurship Center).
Contact Person:
Project Manager Hilkka Heikkilä
+358 50 430 8407
Project results
Summary of Key Results for the Toleranssi Project:
Immediate Benefits to Participants:
- Participating companies received the assistance they were looking for, including concrete guidance and support.
- Entrepreneurs made tangible improvements to their businesses and well-being.
- Entrepreneurs gained confidence in developing their operations and acquired new skills, such as using marketing tools.
- Entrepreneurs networked, increased their business, and shared ideas with each other.
- The network of business developers enhanced their understanding of adaptability and anticipation.
Impacts:
- Investing in well-being helps entrepreneurs better cope with crises and enhances their efficiency.
- The project laid the foundation for future business and provided tools for more efficient operations.
- Entrepreneurs discovered potential collaboration opportunities through networking and developed new business ideas.
- The knowledge and skills of entrepreneurs and business developers have grown, enabling more effective operations and better support in the future.
- The project reinforced the importance of adaptability and provided companies with tools to succeed in changing operational environments.
Next Steps:
- The project established the basis for adopting an adaptable way of working in businesses, and these lessons will continue to be utilized.
- The publications and tools produced by the project remain available to entrepreneurs and business developers.
- Various tools are available for future discussions with regional business developers and entrepreneurship educators.
- Project-related materials and experiences are shared and utilized in the ongoing activities of all consortium partners.
- Insights from the project are disseminated more widely through Central Finnish and national business developer networks.
National Impacts:
- The lessons from the Toleranssi project have already been put into practice in the Myrsky project, and similar adaptability projects are continuing elsewhere in Finland.
- Gradia's Business Advisory Planning will incorporate lessons from the project, especially regarding future anticipation, AI utilization, and creative thinking.
Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration:
- Materials, experiences, and work methods from the project are shared and utilized in the current and future activities of all partners.
- Information has been shared more broadly through Central Finnish and national business developer networks and with other adaptability projects.
- Collaboration has taken place among different projects and stakeholders, promoting knowledge sharing and learning.