My work within the EU4Digital programme consisted of developing tailored strategies for companies to sell their products successfully on Europe's leading online marketplaces. That included selecting suitable platforms, optimising product presentation, and adapting to the specific requirements of each market. Training was also a priority, so that companies could manage their digital sales processes independently and operate successfully over the long term.

The support also covered technical advice, such as integrating marketplace APIs for efficient inventory management and process automation.

Digitalisation offers companies enormous opportunities to widen their markets and reach new audiences. Many companies in Eastern Europe, however, face the challenge of adapting to the complex requirements of the European market. EU4Digital sets out to close that gap by providing knowledge, tools and support. My role was to accompany companies in practical terms and make it easier for them to enter digital commerce. Platforms such as eBay, Etsy and Zalando were ideal for giving small and medium-sized businesses access to a large, diverse customer base.

Working with companies within the EU4Digital programme involved analysing existing business models and identifying their potential for the European market. I ran workshops to familiarise companies with the requirements of the platforms, and supported them in building optimised product catalogues.

For the technical side I recommended solutions such as API integrations, to automate product listing, order processing and inventory management. I also supported companies in adopting digital marketing strategies to increase their visibility on the platforms, including the use of SEO, data analysis and targeted advertising campaigns.

The results were clear progress in the digital transformation of the participating companies, and a stronger presence in the European market that has opened up lasting business opportunities.