Completed

Entrepreneurship support measures in the Vidzeme Planning Region

Vidzeme Planning Region ·Latvia

€974k

Grant awarded

Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation

Programme

28 July 2021

Signed

About this project

The goal of the project is to develop the entrepreneurship environment of Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) and reduce social exclusion by promoting employment and competitiveness opportunities in the region. Target groups: <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">Entrepreneurs</li> <li style="text-align: justify">Business specialists in municipalities</li> <li style="text-align: justify">Vidzeme Entrepreneurship Centre </li> <li style="text-align: justify">Organizations representing entrepreneurs </li> <li style="text-align: justify">Schoolchildren</li> </ul> Activities and results A.1. Strengthening the capacity of the entrepreneurship centre and local governments of the VPR <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">the entrepreneurship support capacity strengthened in 50% of local governments;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">the entrepreneurship support capacity of the VPR enhanced; </li> <li style="text-align: justify">20 professional employees trained (in the fields of promotion of entrepreneurship and cooperation of local governments);</li> <li style="text-align: justify">4 co-creation spaces created for young people and other natural persons within the territory of VPR.</li> </ul> A.2. Promoting the Vidzeme Region, strengthening its development level and entrepreneurship. <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">20 enterprises supported with strengthened operational capacity;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">50% of local governments involved in regional promotion activities; </li> <li style="text-align: justify">3 foreign trade missions organised;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">2 visits by foreign sector-specific media organised;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">3 events of Vidzeme inspiration stories organised.</li> </ul> A.3. Regional mentoring of youth entrepreneurship. <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">5 persons supported for the development of local enterprises; </li> <li style="text-align: justify">4 youth product idea development marathons organised.</li> </ul> A.4. Support to increase employment and competitiveness, implementing region-specific activities. <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">20 enterprises supported with strengthened operational capacity;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">5 persons supported for the development of local enterprises;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">2 new ideas implemented (region-specific solutions) in order to improve the competitiveness and employment of the region: <ul> <li style="text-align: justify">3 product idea development marathons for entrepreneurs in areas defined by the VPR;</li> <li style="text-align: justify">8 networking events for entrepreneurs, educational and scientific institutions.</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Bilateral cooperation results

Bilateral partnerships significantly contributed to the project success by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Key contributions included knowledge transfer: experts from donor states provided invaluable insights into best practices for local development, which were adapted to the local context. Co-creation of solutions: collaborative efforts resulted in the development of innovative tools and approaches tailored to specific needs. Experts from donor states participated as mentors during a hackathon, fostering creativity and knowledge exchange. For example, concept for an innovative camping house was conceived during the event. The winning team of the hackathon traveled to Norway to collaborate further with experts, advancing the development of their idea. Capacity-building initiatives: meetings with donor state entities during study trips in Elverum improved skills of entrepreneurship specialists from Vidzeme and equipped them with practical strategies to support entrepreneurship more effectively. The strengthened operational capacity of 40 enterprises in Vidzeme was a direct outcome of bilateral cooperation. A trade mission to Norway, organized as part of the partnership, It is planned to continue bilateral cooperation with Elverum municipality in other areas. Not only entrepreneurship.

Project partners

Regional Council of Sør-Østerdal Donor project partner· Norway

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