What is Corporate Twinning
Corporate twinning is a collaborative program where two companies form a partnership to exchange knowledge, resources, and best practices, fostering mutual growth and innovation through shared experiences and joint initiatives.
Firms in Ukraine are matched with international firms that operate in the same or a related industry
International firms provide strategic advice and practical assistance to help firms in Ukraine address current challenges
Examples
The nature of the advice and assistance provided will be case specific and should be agreed between the firms at the outset, but examples may include:
1
Assistance
Assisting the Ukrainian firm to access international markets (including sharing know-how on applicable European regulations): including providing guidance on export procedures, market entry requirements, compliance with European regulations, product certifications, customs documentation, identifying potential distribution channels, facilitating networking opportunities, and sharing insights on market trends and consumer preferences to support the Ukrainian firm's successful entry and expansion in international markets.
2
Strategy
Thinking strategically about how to address supply chain issues or other business interruptions caused by the war: assessing and diversifying supply chain dependencies, identifying alternative sourcing options, establishing contingency plans, implementing risk management strategies, enhancing operational resilience, and fostering collaboration with suppliers and partners to mitigate the impact of war-related disruptions and ensure business continuity
3
Planning
Planning for growth (either now or post-war): defining strategic objectives, setting measurable targets and milestones, conducting market research and analysis, identifying growth opportunities, developing action plans, allocating resources, and establishing performance metrics to track progress and ensure the successful implementation of growth initiatives.
4
Best practices
Sharing best practice on how to improve business processes and efficiency Helping to backfill skills gaps / staff shortages, e.g. resulting from employees having left Ukraine or serving in the armed forces
History of Twinning
Twinning has become a crucial component of international development, supplementing efforts at the governmental and inter-governmental level with direct links between individual firms and public bodies
Town Twinning – post WW2 onwards
• Initially employed as a concept to help foster peace and unity across Europe following the end of WW2
• Direct links formed below the inter-governmental level between individual towns, local businesses, and schools
1945
Twinning for international development – 1980s onwards
• Twinning employed increasingly as a tool for international development technical assistance programmes
• Multilaterals such as the World Bank and EBRD paired corporates in the developing country with entities in the same field from developed countries in order to transfer knowledge and expertise
1980
Twinning for post Cold War transition and EU accession
• Post dissolution of the USSR, twinning employed by institutions such as the World Bank and EBRD to assist eastern bloc firms to transition to a market economy and adopt international best practice
• Twinning involved a wide range of sectors, including energy, water supply / other municipal services, education, and finance
• Many corporate twinning relationships evolved over time into strategic partnerships and/or purchase of equity stakes between the partnered firms
1990