Today Conservative MEP Rupert Matthews launched Projekt Hansa to promote trade, tourism and develop cultural links across northern Europe.
The new initiative builds on the legacy of the medieval Hanseatic League which established trade links across the British Isles, Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Baltic.
Mr Matthews MEP, who chairs Projekt Hansa, said: "We are using an old idea to bring new life to northern Europe's trade and cultural connections which I hope will strengthen the economies of all our countries.
"As Britain leaves the European Union we will be seeking to build new trading alliances, expand our businesses and develop cultural links across the world. Fortunately, we have done this before, and the old Hanseatic League can act as a chart to guide us.
"Although we have largely forgotten the old league in the UK, for many of our neighbours it is still a vibrant part of their heritage and I believe it can help us boost the links between our countries today.
"Projekt Hansa will create a network of businesses across Europe, putting them in touch with trade experts and each other. Hand in hand with this will come a deeper understanding of our cultural connections as we involve communities and tourist bodies."
Projekt Hansa is a European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR) Group initiative, founded by Mr Matthews with the support of ECR MEPs from across northern Europe.
German ECR MEP, Ulrike Trebesius, said: "The Hanseatic League is an important part of Germany history. I am pleased to support an initiative that reinvents it for the 21st century to provide tangible economic and cultural benefits for all our countries."
Danish ECR MEP, Anders Vistisen, said: "Projekt Hansa is a very practical way of promoting links across northern Europe. Introducing Danish companies to businesses in, for instance, the UK or Germany can only be positive."
Projekt Hansa's first event will be held on the 15th February in Nottingham were local businesses will be encouraged to export and connected with trade experts.