SME Challenges on Internationalisation

SME Challenges on Internationalisation - Where Local Business Meets Global Strategy! 

This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is jointly coordinated by NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHLS), Technical University of Liberec (TUL) and University of Galați (UGAL).  

Ever Wondered What It Takes For A Local Business To Succeed On The Global Stage?

This BIP takes you straight into the reality of international business consulting. You’ll move beyond textbooks to capture, analyze, and solve real challenges faced by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Friesland, The Netherlands. You won’t just learn about business; you contribute to companies. Get ready for an international, hands-on experience combining cross-cultural teamwork, creative problem solving, and real-world pressure. You’ll dive into Design Thinking techniques, master digitalization strategies, and perfect your sales pitch to turn abstract ideas into concrete business solutions.

Your BIP Journey!

Connect with students from various RUN-EU institutions. You’ll explore the fundamentals of intercultural business awareness and complete your group assignments to prepare for the main event. In addition, the in-person week steers you and your team further to:

  • Work in multidisciplinary international teams to tackle live company cases.
  • Participate in interactive workshops where you apply Design Thinking to innovate and solve complex problems.
  • Collaborate directly with local entrepreneurs to understand their specific hurdles in an international environment.
  • Wrap up the week by pitching your digital deliverables and findings to a jury of industry experts.

Learn From Industry Experts and Business Professionals

Throughout the week, you’ll be guided by a mix of experienced lecturers, business entrepreneurs and the local government as a stakeholder. They will share insights on collaboration, digitalization, and how to navigate the complexities of the modern international market. 

Why Should You Join?

This isn’t just about theory; it’s about the impact that this BIP will have on you. You’ll train your consultancy skills, work with real clients, and develop a professional network that spans borders.

Join us for this opportunity to develop yourself towards an international business change agent, identify the international business environment relevant for an organisation and relate this to the organisation’s future goals. 

Date:

5th of March 2026 to 31st of March 2026

Language of instruction:

English

3 ECTS credits
Academic recognition:

To be defined by each home institution. In general terms, most students will have this RUN-EU E+BIP certified in the Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition upon approval from their study programmes.

Eligible participants:

This BIP is open to Bachelor and Masters students with a keen interest on Internationalisation, International Business & Leadership.

How to apply:

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Deadline for applications: 22nd of February 2026

Programme at a glance

Virtual Session 1: Introduction to SME Challenges on Internationalisation [3PM - 5PM Central European Time (CET)] (online)
05 Mar 2026 :
- Introduction of the students, staff and topic of the BIP.
- Overview of the BIP.
- Instruction and explanation about the preparation assignment and important dates.
- Introduction to Intercultural proficiency and collaboration.
- Instruction for individual preparations for the in-person week.
Face-to-face Week (in person)
09 Mar - 13 Mar 2026 :
NHLS Leeuwarden Netherlands
Day 1: Monday 9th March 2026
AM: Check in and official opening, introduction to DBE concept and campus tour.
PM: SME company visits (empathise with internationalisation challenge(s)), tasty introduction to the (Frisian) culture.

Day 2: Tuesday 10th March 2026
AM: Seminars on SME challenges in internationalisation, definition of team specific challenge, working session 1, production of the team charter canvas.
PM: Working session 2 and Leeuwarden tour.

Day 3: Wednesday 11th March 2026
AM: Workshops on SME solutions in internationalisation, working session 3, production of the problem framing canvas.
PM: Introduction to convincing idea presentation, working session 4 on idea iteration.

Day 4: Thursday 12th March 2026
AM: Final instruction session, working session 5 on idea prototyping
PM: Final Fair preparations, production of the business model canvas.

Day 5: Friday 13th March 2026
Prototype Testing Fair and Networking event, award ceremony, closing and departure.
Preparation Virtual Session 2 (Independent Group Work) (online)
16 Mar - 20 Mar 2026 :
- Incorporate new insights to the prototype based on the received feedback from stakeholders during the in-person week.
- Prepare presentation for the Virtual Session 2.
Virtual Session 2: Revised Prototype Presentation [3PM - 6PM Central European Time (CET)] (online)
24 Mar 2026 :
- Present the revised prototype and to provide feedback to one another.
Preparation Virtual Session 3 (Independent Group Work) (online)
25 Mar - 27 Mar 2026 :
- Incorporate all feedback received and finalised the prototype.
- Submit the finalised prototype.
Virtual Session 3: Feedback and Evaluation [3PM - 5PM Central European Time (CET)] (online)
31 Mar 2026 :
- Learner Experience survey, evaluation and feedback.
- Official closing moment to wrap everything up and share conclusions, recommendations, learning moments and perhaps future actions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:

Following the Design Based Education philosophy; students will explore these five facets: 

  1. Multidisciplinary collaboration – collaborate on real-life issues with the field, researchers and students from other programmes in an international context.
  2. Design Thinking – Diving into an issue, designing solutions and exploring what works.
  3. Personal leadership – Becoming aware of one’s own identity and shaping one’s own learning route.
  4. Sustainable education - Organising one’s own learning process, taking responsibility and contributing to social issues.
  5. International & Intercultural -  Having an eye for international and intercultural aspects, being open to other views and making use of diversity and inclusive society.

Collaborate effectively with different kinds of stakeholders in different cultural landscapes to contribute to achieving agreed (project) goals.

Define and identify the international business environment relevant for an organisation and relate this to the organisation’s internal environment.

Advise on the international business needs for the company in a systematic and analytic approach.

Through this project and working with local SME's students will better understand the challenges small-medium enterprises face when it comes to Internationalisation.

Selection criteria

Selection will be based on interest and motivation for the topic.

Involved organisations and persons

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Host Organisation, Lead Organisation
  • Sanda Ntayiya (Instructor)
  • sietse schaafsma (Lead Instructor)

Technical University of Liberec

Partner Organisation
  • Ondrej Linhart (Instructor)

University of Galați

Partner Organisation
  • Irina Susanu (Instructor)
  • Nicoleta Cristache (Instructor)

WRKLab

  • Rinke Bolster (Regional Stakeholder)
Product label: BIP-SMEINTER-01

Funded by the European Union. 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 Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674