Norwegian Financial Mechanism

Programme «Capacity-building and Institutional Cooperation between Beneficiary State and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities» project «Implementation of regional policy actions in and elaboration of regional development measures»

Riga 29.02.2016

Project aim is to strengthen capacity of Latvian municipality and planning regions and support them in dealing with entrepreneurship promotion issues.

Total costs: EUR 1 172 029. LPR costs: EUR 281 560

Target groups are municipalities, planning regions, state institutions, non-governmental organizations, which represent entrepreneurs, prospective investors, entrepreneurs, higher education institutions, and individuals. Activities

1. Trainings on the facilitation of entrepreneurship and innovation . 2. Visits of neighboring countries by municipalities and NGO’s representing entrepreneurs. 3. Participation of LPR and representation of municipalities in investment forums. 4. Elaboration of investment catalogue for region. 5. Creation of a new website www.invest.latgale.lv 6. Creation of a Representation space of Latgale region in . 7. Exchange of experience with Norwegian partners in Latvia. 8. Latgale’s Days in Riga. 9. Events in Representation of Latgale region in Riga. 10. Creation of a video about the Latgale as a place for business. 11. Elaboration of municipalities’ investment offers for investor attraction

Creation of a Representation of Latgale region in Riga Representation of Latgale region in Riga:

• Support in organization of meetings of entrepreneurs of Latgale region with potential and existing cooperation partners from Riga and from abroad, as well as with mass media. • Organizational support of meetings and seminars of various levels between ministries, specialists, experts, and representatives of LPR municipalities. • Current investment projects and products of local craftsmen and entrepreneurs are presented. • Tourism opportunities in Latgale are presented. • Equipped conference premises are provided to municipalities and entrepreneurs of Latgale region.

Trainings on the facilitation of entrepreneurship and innovation (12 seminars) Norwegian experts’ visit to Latgale region, exchange of experience seminars about the experience of Norwegian municipalities in the work with entrepreneurs. Participation of LPR and representation of municipalities in investment forums (4 forums)

Visits of neighboring countries by municipalities and NGO’s representing entrepreneurs. (Krakov, Tampere, Oslo, Utrecht)

10 Creation of a new website www.invest.latgale.lv Elaboration of investment catalogue “Invest in the Baltic Country of lake – in Latgale” Creation of a video about the Latgale as a place for business. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THyokJR5Jdo

Latgale’s Days in Riga Price survey for the investment object in Preili municipality / Preili manor complex and park

Price survey for the investment object in municipality, Partizanu Street 66, Balvi

It is planned till 30.09.2016 to use the project’s budget for the following activities:

1) Elaboration of investment attraction materials – technical documentation for city, Rezekne city, Ludza and Livani municipalities. 2) Organization of exchange of experience trip to Utrecht (Netherlands) for 15 persons. 3) Ensure the functioning of Representation of Latgale in Riga.

Intentions for further cooperation in the field of facilitating entrepreneurship:

• Exchange of experience between Norwegian and Latvian institutions, businesses, creation of new cooperation networks; • Support of trade missions; participation in economy facilitating exhibitions; • Continuation of operation of Representation space of Latgale in Riga; • Pilot project – ensuring the availability of business education programmes for kindergarteners and schoolchildren (elaboration of programmes, training of educators, implementation of programmes).