Be a producer (2012-2014 >> 15)

Ministry of Labour and Social Security

What it is How it works Who is involved

 A TOPEKO project (local actions for social inclusion of  The project analysed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities Development partnership representing: vulnerable groups) co-funded by the EU, Priority Axis 4 "Full and threats (SWOT) of the region and the existing structure integration of human resources in a society of equal of farms. An action plan was developed proposing the 1. DIMITRA consulting (coordination, analysis, training, opportunities" of the OP-HRD of the Ministry of Labour and production and promotion of agricultural products (selected support, dissemination, awareness raising) Social Security fruits, vegetables and herbs) with integrated & sustainable 2. Regional Government of and and  For 80 LTUs in the predominantly agricultural area of Larissa management system as a key solution to sustainable (social) Kileler municipalities (networking to sensitize and (Larissa & Kileler Municipalities) in entrepreneurship & business creation inform the business world and employer organizations  To activate public and private local key actors to form  The project helps LTUs: and the local community) development partnerships to develop tailor-made action o start an agricultural business or social cooperative, 3. Sector expertise - University of Applied Sciences/ plans for social inclusion and employability based on local key o gain the qualifications to benefit from other Department of Plant Production, Agricultural development areas, whose growth potential would be used investment programmes, Development SA (networking with other producers, to promote the employability of the LTU mainly through o acquire skills that will meet identified needs of local consulting and business plan development, business business creation and social entrepreneurship businesses that will hire them start-up support)  During the project LTUs benefited from:  Among the project results were: 4. Institute for Psychosocial Development (individual o Mapping their individual, skills, abilities, interests, o 46 beneficiaries created “Gi Thessalis” Social psychological support, group counselling, aptitudes and aspirations and career guidance needs Cooperative Enterprise (awarded the “Green Social empowerment) o Individual/group counselling, support & Enterprise 2014” prize in “Social Business Excellence empowerment Awards” competition held under the auspices of the o Vocational Education & Training (VET) based on Ministry of Development and Competitiveness) occupational profile (theory & on-the-job training). o 7 beneficiaries started their own farm o Training and certification in the “Sense of Initiative & o 13 beneficiaries submitted crop statement (yearly) More information Entrepreneurship” (30 hours, ERF, KC No7) o 16 beneficiaries got placed in local jobs o Coaching & mentoring, to reduce business risk & to o 29 business plans: 28 for private agricultural business, Vaso Anastasopoulou improve business skills (individual/group) 1 for a social cooperative [email protected] o Social entrepreneurship expertise o 32 tailor made Integrated Crop Management Systems Head of Development & International projects Department o Business plan development and start-up support (according to Agro 2.1-2.2 standard) DIMITRA Education and Consulting, Larissa, Greece o Networking & awareness raising activities  Planned developments: Microfinancing and regional support o An e-shop to help promote their products, bypassing mechanisms for social enterprises to disseminate the idea of On the web the intermediaries to keep prices low to benefit of the social economy through networks (expected to be www.dimitra.gr both consumers and producers included in the Operational Programme within the local (General information, in Greek and English)  Results were assessed three months after the end of the development plans). Implemented actions: new social http://www.gineparagogos.gr/en/ project in terms of matching of LTUs in local jobs and economy enterprises law and wage subsidy for private social (project website, in English) sustainability of business creation cooperatives hiring beneficiaries (15€/day for 4 months)