LIAA invites innovative companies in the woodworking and construction sectors to apply for participation in a trade mission that will take place in Bolzano, Italy, from January 29 to February 1, 2025, during the "Klimahouse 2025" exhibition.

"Klimahouse" is an industry exhibition held in the Alpine region of Italy, focusing on energy-efficient and sustainable construction solutions, emphasizing wood as a sustainable material and showcasing innovative wooden construction methods. The exhibition features woodworking companies from Italy and Austria offering energy-efficient materials, renewable energy systems, and sustainable technologies. A detailed description of the exhibition is available in English.

Italy is a key player in the European wooden construction market, particularly in the fields of timber frame and modular buildings, which account for approximately 2.8% of the total housing stock and 8.5% of the overall construction market. The main regions where wooden construction companies are concentrated include Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Trentino-Alto Adige.

Purpose of the Trade Mission:

The mission aims to visit the "Klimahouse" exhibition to establish new contacts, meet with companies of interest in the sector, and explore trends and collaboration opportunities in wooden construction in northern Italy.

A maximum of 4 companies will be approved for participation.

Participation Requirements:

• Proficiency in English is required for the mission and related events.
• Knowledge of German or Italian is an advantage.

Provisional Program:

• January 29 – February 1, 2025: Visit to the exhibition.
  LIAA will have a 16 m² booth at the exhibition where participant information can be displayed, and meetings can be held.
  Participation in the "Klimahouse" conference, which includes thematic sessions.
• Earliest return date: Evening of February 1.

Information for Participants:

Participants should consider the following costs:

• LIAA participation fee: Equivalent to 20 working hours:
  • If the company meets the de minimis support criteria, the fee is covered under the de minimis support framework.
  • If not, LIAA will invoice the company. The hourly rate is €29.88 + VAT.
• Individual transportation expenses.
• Accommodation costs (hotel expenses).

The trade mission is organized by LIAA and can be attended either with or without financial support. To receive support, companies must meet eligibility criteria, which can be checked using the Self-Assessment Calculator. Companies qualifying for support can recover up to 60% of total eligible costs.

After the event, companies that meet quality criteria for support can submit a payment request through the Business.gov.lv e-service. Before completing the application, participants are encouraged to review the activity conditions in the section "Trade Missions Abroad."

Funding:

The trade mission is organized as part of the Innovative Business Development Program for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Latvian state budget.

Data Protection and Security Regulations (PDF available)

Applications for participation in the trade mission can be submitted on the Business.gov.lv platform until December 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM.