Education export to Azerbaijan’s growing markets
The LEF Azerbaijan Network project supports the internationalisation of Finnish companies to Azerbaijan, a key EU trading partner in the South Caucasus region. Growing markets and strong demand, particularly in green technology and education expertise, offer significant opportunities.
The three-year project aims to support 15 Finnish partner companies in accessing the Azerbaijani market. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (lead partner) and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Key activities include six trade missions to the target country, reciprocal visits to Finland, as well as company training, market analyses, and tailored company-specific consulting.
Helmi Learning Oy joined the LEF Azerbaijan Network project to explore new markets and expand international cooperation.
– Azerbaijan was not familiar to us beforehand, but looking back, it is easy to say we are glad we joined. The project has brought numerous contacts, new friends, and potential partners. The project has ended, but the journey continues together with our Azerbaijani partners, says CEO Ari Perälä.
Helmi Learning Oy is a Finnish education export company specializing in international summer and winter camps and in-service training for teachers. The company delivers training in Finland, in clients’ home countries, and online. Its core expertise areas include special education, nature-based education, and STEAM pedagogy, with the goal of building long-term international partnerships.
A key element of Helmi Learning’s marketing strategy is the hands-on presentation of its education services to potential clients. Within the project, the company has delivered lectures, training sessions, and workshops in schools and companies in Baku. This approach helps clients clearly understand the offered services and collaboration opportunities. The first agreement has already been signed with Landau School, and training for their teachers has been delivered online.
Following the project, Helmi Learning aims to build long-term cooperation with Azerbaijani schools and companies. The company plans to continue active dialogue with partners and visit Baku in the future. If suitable partners are found, it is natural to develop longer-term projects and training programmes.
Helmi Learning’s key products include Summer Camp and Winter Camp programmes. In the future, the company aims to bring Azerbaijani student groups to Finland during summer or winter seasons. In addition, preliminary discussions have been held with a local partner about organising a summer camp in Azerbaijan in summer 2026, in cooperation with Finnish and local educators. This could also include training for teachers interested in nature-based education. Furthermore, Helmi Learning will deliver an online training programme on special education for Azerbaijani lower secondary school teachers in December.
– We are extremely grateful for all the support and assistance received during the project. Our sincere thanks to Caspian Energy Club, the Estonian and Latvian Chambers of Commerce, and especially Mikko Lehtonen and Mikko Pakkasela from SAMK, you have done outstanding work. Thank you! Perälä concludes.
More information:
Ari Perälä, CEO, founding member and special education teacher, Helmi Learning (ari@helmilearning.com)
In cooperation with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (lead partner) and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supported by the EU’s Central Baltic funding program, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences launched a three-year export project in Azerbaijan in the spring of 2023. The project will conclude in February 2026.
Funder: Interreg Central Baltic Programme
Project Manager: Mikko Lehtonen, mikko.lehtonen@samk.fi
