Export leaders programme "SPARNAI"
About SPARNAI Programme
A two-year export leaders programme under the title ‘SPARNAI” (Wings) encompasses a partnership between government and business in order to attain the same objective: to promote Lithuania’s competitiveness in foreign markets and to develop high level export specialist meeting current market demands. For young people, this is an opportunity to acquire knowledge in the export process management, management and consulting and to take part in the implementation of international projects.
Versli Lietuva VšĮ has identified the increase in the competitiveness of Lithuania’s priority export markets and sectors as one of the key factors determining success of exporting companies. A focus group analysis, including 71 businesses seeking to expand their operations abroad, made at the end of 2017 has shown that lack of market knowledge and knowledge in the field of export is the main o
bstacle to the development of small- and medium-sized business abroad.
Benefits for participants in SPARNAI Programme
- A unique opportunity work with Lithuania’s 12 priority foreign trade markets and to study 6 business sectors;
- The opportunity to initiative and take part in projects in the cities and regions of Lithuania in order to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian business abroad;
- Gaining of valuable professional experience of an export project manager, enabling a successful further career in small and medium businesses of Lithuania;
- An individual plan of activities and development is drawn up for each participant having regard to personal qualities and objectives.
Implementation of the programme
Selection of 24 talented young people who have completed higher education studies abroad or in Lithuania not earlier than two years will take place until 1 May 2018.
It is estimated that on 1 July 2018 the 24 programme participants will start working as Project Managers in Versli Lietuva. They will be assisted by mentors – employees of Versli Lietuva.
During the programme, the Project Managers will be made conversant with best practices in the areas of business management, export development management, marketing, business promotion etc. and will be able to take part in business and export promotion programmes and projects.
SPARNAI young export leaders programme has been included in the action plan of a programme of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania as a measure aimed at developing high level export specialists through theoretical and practical experiences acquired in businesses.
The programme is being implemented in 2018-2020 for a second time; its first implementation took place in 2013-2015.
SPARNAI young export leaders programme was recognised as the best project in a conference organised by the International Trade Centre in Dubai in November 2014. It was also recognised as one of the best export initiatives in the world, in the developed countries category.
