The European Commission’s Directorate General for Regional Policy works to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion within the EU by reducing disparities in the level of development among regions and member states. 
It helps to promote the competitiveness of regional economies and the permanent catch-up of those lagging behind the prosperous areas. The main instruments of this policy are the European Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund. Commissioner Johannes Hahn has the political responsibility for regional policy.
Visit the Directorate General for Regional Policy’s Website
Read Commissioner Johannes Hahn’s welcoming words
In connection with the annual summits, Baltic Development Forum establishes an exclusive partnership with an important company or business representative in the Region. This year we are proud to cooperate with The Danish Industry Foundation.
The purpose of the Foundation is to develop and support innovative, inspirational and economically sustainable projects and initiatives that strengthen the competitiveness of Danish business and industry.
Competitiveness is crucial to the future success of Danish companies. Business and industry are key elements to growth, welfare and job creation. Jointly, the scientific and educational institutions and the Danish business community can cooperate to create, market and export innovative business concepts and technologies that will make growth economically and environmentally viable.
On this basis the Danish Industry Foundation develops and supports initiatives and projects within the following areas:
- Knowledge and competence
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Internationalisation and openness
The Danish Industry Foundation supports innovative projects that generate new knowledge for the benefit of the Danish industry.
The Danish Industry Foundation is registered as a business foundation and reports annual accounts to the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency. The equity of Danish Industry Foundation is DKK 4 billion and is administered by the board of directors in cooperation with the management and in accordance with the Foundation’s mission.
For more information about The Danish Industry Foundation, please visit www.theindustryfoundation.com
Swedbank has its roots in the Swedish savings bank tradition, which dates back to 1820.
Swedbank is a full-service bank for both private individuals and companies in the home markets Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Their core business serves a majority of private individuals as well as small- and medium-sized companies. Swedbank is run following a traditional banking model focused on close customer relationships and personal advice.
Swedbank has 9.4 million private customers and 693 000 corporate customers with about 330 branches in Sweden and 220 branches in the Baltic countries as of 31 March 2011. The group is also present in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Kaliningrad, Luxembourg, Marbella, Moscow, New York, Oslo, Shanghai, St. Petersburg and Ukraine. As of 31 March 2011, the balance sheet amounted to SEK 1 745 billion and the number of employees totaled about 17 150.
For more information about Swedbank, please visit http://www.swedbank.com/
VINNOVA (The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems) is a State authority that aims to promote growth and prosperity throughout Sweden. Our particular area of responsibility comprises innovations linked to research and development. Our tasks are to fund the needs-driven research required by a competitive business and industrial sector and a flourishing society, and to strengthen the networks that are such a necessary part of this work.
For more information about Vinnova, please visit http://www.vinnova.com/
