The trade and service industry faces major challenges. Entrepreneurs need to adjust in order to keep up with the progress of digitalisation with increasingly online commerce. Many companies experience increased competition with reduced turnover and profitability as a result of lack of knowledge and the ability to meet the changes at the pace required. The project aims to strengthen the conditions of small and medium-sized enterprises in structural transformation by raising the competence of SMEs regarding business models and digitalisation. The project intends to work with broad skills-enhancing seminars and workshops to reach a broad target group. In parallel, the companies have the opportunity to work together with advisors to develop an individual needs analysis, which in turn can lead to company-specific interventions with the help of coach/advisors. As a result of these efforts, the project is expected to contribute to the development of SMEs with strengthened conditions for growth and increased competitiveness. In addition, municipalities’ participation in the project is expected to lead to the methods and forms of collaboration developed in the project also continue to be pursued and developed after the end of the project. Goal The overall goal of the project is to strengthen the competitiveness of the trade and service industry in Dalarna in order to meet the structural transformation in the industry and strengthen the region’s attractiveness. Through company-specific advice, exchanges of experience, networks, educational initiatives and collaboration, the project aims to create methods, collaborations and business models that contribute to increased competitiveness and more sustainable companies in the trade and service industry. Sustainability aspects are a tool for creating these methods and models. Sub-targets: At least 200 companies have participated in one or more of the project’s efforts, which have been formed based on the needs of the companies and the conditions prevailing in each municipality. After completed activities, at least 80 per cent of the participating companies will experience that they have gained an increased competence and are better equipped to meet the structural transformations in the trade and service industries. At least 40 per cent of these companies shall be run by women and at least 40 per cent shall be run by foreign-born people. 100 companies have participated in a company-specific needs analysis to identify the initiatives in the project that the company should take part in. At least 40 per cent of these companies should be run by women and at least 40 per cent shall be driven by foreign-born. 100 companies have received company-specific advice as a basis for their choice of efforts within the project, and in how they have developed their digital capabilities and visibility developed their business plan and strengthened their hosting in physical and digital environments. At least 40 per cent of these companies shall be run by women and at least 40 per cent shall be run by foreign-born people. At least 100 companies participate in efforts related to in-depth digitisation measures. 200 companies must have received support in how they can use the sustainability aspects of gender equality, diversity and the environment as leverage for growth. At least 50 per cent must have concrete plans for their sustainability work. 35 new companies must receive support, 14 female and 21 male entrepreneurs. 14 must be born abroad. 100 percent should have received an offer of participation in networks for start-ups. 20 companies must have established partnerships for business purposes during the project period. At least one creative arena for business development has been created per municipality.