Enhancing Internationalisation Capabilities of micro-SMEs in Furniture Sector through ECVET Compliant Innovative Training Course

<< Background >>Int4furn project addressed a clear gap in the internationalisation skills of micro and small enterprises in the furniture sector. While these businesses often have quality products and strong local performance, they struggle with entering international markets due to a lack of structured knowledge, strategic planning, and digital readiness. The applicant identified that vocational education and training (VET) in this sector was not sufficiently aligned with the realities of global business. There was also a need for accessible tools to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of international trade. This project responded to those needs by aiming to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern global commerce, especially for businesses without prior export experience. The initiative also aimed to support young entrepreneurs and VET learners by providing them with updated resources, new learning opportunities, and pathways toward international growth.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to equip micro-SMEs and young entrepreneurs in the furniture sector with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to expand internationally. It aimed to develop a structured, accessible and practical training course that reflects the actual needs of the sector. The project also sought to strengthen the link between VET providers and the business world by offering digital solutions that promote internationalisation. Specific objectives included the creation of an ECVET-compliant training curriculum, development of a multilingual digital HUB, and a self-assessment tool to help SMEs evaluate their international readiness. The overall goal was to reduce the risk of failure in new markets by offering clear guidance, strategic insights, and collaborative support tailored to the realities of micro-enterprises in a competitive global context.<< Implementation >>The project began with national and comparative research activities to identify the training needs of micro-SMEs in the furniture sector. Each partner prepared a country-level State of the Art report, which informed the design of a modular and ECVET-compliant training curriculum. Based on this curriculum, a full training course was developed, covering topics such as market access, logistics, customer understanding, global marketing, and sustainable internationalisation. A multilingual Digital Internationalisation Learning HUB was built to host all learning content, including 23 interactive training videos with subtitles in seven languages. Additionally, a Self-Assessment Tool was designed to help businesses analyse their preparedness for internationalisation. Other key activities included pilot testing, multiplier events, and the publication of an Internationalisation Handbook. All activities were supported by effective project management and continuous quality monitoring.<< Results >>The INT4FURN project produced a comprehensive set of results tailored to the internationalisation needs of micro-SMEs in the furniture sector. Each partner developed a national State of the Art report to identify skills gaps, which informed the creation of a modular, ECVET-compliant training curriculum. Based on this, a full training course was developed and translated into seven languages, supported by 25 interactive training videos with English narration and subtitles in all project languages. All materials were hosted on a multilingual Digital Internationalisation Learning HUB, making them freely accessible to learners. A Self-Assessment Tool was also developed to help businesses evaluate their readiness for international expansion. Additionally, the project produced the “Internationalisation Handbook for Furniture Micro-SMEs” to provide further guidance. All outputs were tested through pilot activities and disseminated via multiplier events. Quality assurance and project management ensured high relevance and usability of the results.