Implementation of regional policy actions in Latvia and elaboration of regional development measures

On 18 December 2009 the Donor States (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) reached the agreement with the European Commission (EC) about allocation of the financial assistance for the implementation of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA FM) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NFM) in the new planning period 2009-2014. On 28 July 2010 the agreements were signed between the EC and the Donor States for provision of the financial assistance. The overall objectives of the Financial Mechanisms 2009-2014 are to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities within the  EEA and to the strengthen bilateral relations between the Donor States and the Beneficiary State. The aim of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities (Programme) is to increase institutional and human resources capacity at public, regional and local institutions responsible for regional development by cooperating and sharing experience with similar institutions in Norway.

More information about the project

Main activities:

Development of regional entrepreneurship and innovation system

The activity will involve 2 main lines of action:

- introduction of business and innovation promotion system in pilot region – LPR.  Considering that LPR is less developed planning region in Latvia with long-term negative economic, social and demographic trends, within the activity are planned measures (visits of local governments and non-governmental organizations which represent entrepreneurs to neighboring countries, participation and representation of local governments in investment forums, development of investment catalogue for Latgale region, creation of new websitewww.investlatgale.com, establishment of representation of Latgale region in Riga etc.), which will be aimed toward activating local resources and local partnerships between entrepreneurs, state government institutions and local governments, educational and culture institutions, finance sector and non-governmental sector;

- organisation of regional competitions for innovative business ideas in order to promote entrepreneurship.

Planned results within activity:

1. experience exchange between Latvian and Norwegian institutions (within this activity will be ensured experience exchange events about planned and implemented entrepreneurship promotion measures in Norway. Within this activity will be investigated role of Norwegian local municipalities in entrepreneurship promotion with an emphasis on development programs of municipalities and support measures to promote development of local entrepreneurship);
2. organized 12 seminars about promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation (aim of seminars and discussions is to activate local resources and local partnerships between entrepreneurs, local governments, institutions of higher education and planning regions, as well as strengthen capacity of local governments in field of entrepreneurship development);
3.  ensured 4 visits of local governments and non-governmental organizations to neighboring countries (cisits will be organized to popularize local goods and products and promote sales expansion);
4. ensured participation in 4 investment forums (it is planned to participate in 4 investment forums and LPR will represent both planning region and local municipalities. Forums, where LPR will participate, will be focused on economic cooperation, innovation promotion and popularization of region economic potential);
5. elaborated investment catalogue (investment catalogue will be used as an important marketing material during visits to neighbouring countries and participating in investment forums. There will be provided also electronic version of investment catalogue which will be available both in LPR website www.latgale.lc and later also in new websitewww.investlatgale.com);
6. developed website www.investlatgale.com (webpage will be elaborated to ensure availability of actual information, which is essential to entrepreneurs, potential investors and municipalities. Eebsite will provide information that is oriented towards the Latgale region, will offer opportunity to potential investors to evaluate and select potential investment objects in Latgale, as well will offer for potential investment seekers investment sites online);
7. established representation of Latgale region in Riga (in framework of activity LPR will establish multifunctional centre, which will represent actual investment projects, including investment and real estate development projects, which are important for long-term development of infrastructure, and also investment catalogues of Latgale region. For prospective investors will be offered investment opportunities using electronic version of investment catalogue. LPR will represent production of local (small/medium/large) entrepreneurs of Latgale region and also production of local craftsmans, facilitating their access to the Latvian and European Union markets. In addition to above mentioned, Representation of Latgale region will offer premises for conferences for communication of entrepreneurs and investors and other cooperation partners);
8. organized 5 regional competitions for innovative business ideas (VARAM as a project promoter will organize 5 regional competitions for innovative business ideas. All prospective competitors – individual persons will be welcomed to participate in contests, who are willing to start-up their own business and who have innovative and viable business idea. To draw attention to issues of regional development and orient to areas of potential business ideas, contest will be organized in each planning region).

Increasing the role of local governments in promoting entrepreneurship

Within the activity, several measures will be implemented directed towards increasing the capacity and opportunities of local governments in promoting entrepreneurship:

- to improve the capacities of Latvian local governments in the field of promoting entrepreneurship, trainings will be organised for experts of all local governments;

- to expand the opportunities and instruments held by local governments for promoting entrepreneurship and attracting private investments, support will be provided to the largest local municipalities for external marketing measures (by offering to prepare marketing materials in English and to participate in international exhibitions) and for preparing of business proposals for potential private investors;

-          during the implementation of the activity LIAA will be involved – first, experience of LIAA will be used for investment proposal preparation, ensuring mutual LIAA and VARAM cooperation in preparation process of investment proposals. Second, in cooperation with LIAA, which is working both with support for external marketing for entrepreneurs, and serving those investors, investment proposals will be promoted to prospective investors, which are interested in Latvia. Essential resource is foreign representation of LIAA (especially in Norway), which will be used as one of the channel to promote investment proposals to attract perspective investors.

Planned results within activity:

1. ensured experience exchange events between Latvian and Norwegian institutions (within this activity will be ensured experience exchange events about Norwegian experience and good practice in entrepreneurship promotion, to get acquainted with responsible institutions in Norway,  including with representation of LIAA in Norway about implemented measures, examples and experience in elaboration of marketing materials and investment proposals for prospective investors);
2. implemented “Knowledge Angels” programme for local governments (“Knowledge Angels” programme will include simulation games, workshops, team presentations, discussions with employees of municipalities, who are working with entrepreneurship promotion and development planning issues. Programme will be implemented in 2014-2015, providing 15 training seminars. It is planned that in total will be trained 375 local government employees);
3. developed 30 marketing materials for local governments in English (to provide opportunity for municipalities to popularize their local resources and attract investments, 30 Latvian centres of national and regional importance will have opportunity to elaborate marketing materials in English to attract investments. Marketing materials are needed as representation material, when municipalities are participating in events of international importance, including international exhibitions, which target audience are investors);
4. developed 30 investment proposal of local governments for prospective investors (30 Latvian centres of national and regional importance will have opportunity to elaborate investment proposals. Investment proposals will be used, when local municipalities will participate in exhibitions of local and international importance and forums, and also will be used as material for cooperation with investors);
5. ensured participation of local governments in 18 international exhibitions (Opportunity to participate in international exhibitions will be provided for 9 Latvian centres of national importance – large cities (to cover participation fee). Considering that the same 9 municipalities will elaborate marketing materials in English and investment proposals, it is a base for them to participate in international exhibitions. Participation in exhibitions is considered as an effective tool to popularize local resources and find and attract prospective investors.). 

The development of support measures for remote and underdeveloped areas for attracting qualified workforce and entrepreneurs

- Learning from Norwegian experience and adoption of the good practice is planned for the development and implementation of support measures for remote and sparsely populated territories to ensure attraction of qualified workforce and additional stimulus for entrepreneurship.

- Within the implementation process of the activity, evaluation of various policy measures will be performed and recommendations will be proposed for territorial differentiation of sector policy measures.

- Main aim of activity is to prepare proposal for support measures for less developed regions and local governments of Latvia, which face with such problems as depopulation, shortage of labour, business inactivity and other problems.

Planned results within activity:

1. ensured  experience exchange events between Latvian and Norwegian institutions (within this activity will be ensured experience exchange events about development of support measures to ensure public services and promote entrepreneurship for remote and underdeveloped areas);
2. elaborated research on adaption of Norwegian good practice for development of support measures for remote and underdeveloped areas (research will include topics on identification of target area, assessment of sector policies and elaboration of stimulus.Elaboration of research has important role in planning and developing support measures for Latvian remote and underdeveloped areas. Based on research and recommendations, recommended support measures will be evaluated and used for updating action plan of Regional Policy Guidelines for 2013-2019);
3. organized 4 discussions about development of support measures for remote and underdeveloped areas (within activity will be organized 4 Norwegian expert visits to Latvia.  Themes of Norwegian expert visits will be related to research on adaption of Norwegian good practice and support measures for remote and underdeveloped areas for attracting qualified workforce and entrepreneurs, which will include information about research elaboration progress. In framework of visits will be organized discussions with Latvian experts about Norwegian experience in context with situation in Latvia and at final visit will be presented research and provided discussion about possible support measures in Latvia for remote and underdeveloped regions). 

Planned results in Programme level:

1. Upgraded 1 planning document at state level;
2. Organized 4 exchange of experience and exchange of knowledge events between Latvian and Norwegian institutions;
3. Developed 6 strategic partnerships between Latvian and Norwegian institutions.

Partners in Norway

Project is implemented in cooperation with three Norwegian institutions: Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development of Norway, Oppland County and Aust-Agder County.

Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development of Norway is responsible for development of regional and rural policy, the local administration, including the local government funding issues and elections, as well as about housing and construction policy. The ministry comprises Regional Development Department.

Regional Development Department is responsible for the development of regional development and rural development support measures oriented towards creating entrepreneurship, incl. industry, research development, attractive living and business environment. Special support measures are directed towards territories, which demonstrate significant depopulation tendencies and underdeveloped industrial base. One of the most important tools to stimulate production is differentiated employer’s social security contributions.

Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development of Norway will provide investment in achievement of project objectives and outcomes by sharing its experience and providing information about examples of good practice in dealing with regional policy issues, including various support measures for remote and sparsely populated territories, as well as for territories with underdeveloped industrial base.

Information about Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development of Norway is available: http://www.regjeringen.no/en.html?id=4.

Oppland County is situated in the mid-section of the southern part of Norway with the central administration of Oppland County authority located in Lillehammer. The County consists of 26 local governments.

Oppland County is responsible for fostering regional development covering area administration and local development, environment, county employment and economic development, etc. Oppland County is also responsible for regional planning. In the planning process the local authorities are obliged to follow guidelines and targets set by the County council. It is up to the Oppland County that regional considerations at any given time are taken into account in the planning process.

Within the project Oppland County will be the base of the Norwegian project coordinator. Also from Oppland County will participate experts, who will engage in implementation of certain activities.

Information about Oppland County is available: http://www.oppland.no.

Aust-Agder County. There are 15 local governments located within the Aust-Agder County, which is situated in the southern part of Norway. Aust-Agder County administration has approximately 110 employees and the county council in Aust-Agder consists of 35 elected representatives. 

Aust-Agder County is responsible for public services, regional development and planning, including a variety of services such as: communication, culture, public health, environment, education, entrepreneurship, supporting business and industrial development.

Aust-Agder County has extensive experience from wide-ranging international projects including development initiatives in Tanzania, several Interreg projects and participation in other EU-funded projects. Through its role in promoting regional development the county supports numerous regional projects, investments and research initiatives including private/public partnerships. Aust-Agder County signed a cooperation agreement with Rezekne City Council and Rezekne district in 1996. This agreement was previously renewed for another three years 2012 – 2015.

Information about Aust-Agder County is available: http://www.austagderfk.no/Information-in-English/.

Partners in Latvia 

Project is implemented in cooperation with Latgale, Riga, Zemgale and Kurzeme planning regions.

Latgale, Riga, Zemgale and Kurzeme planning regions in accordance with the Regional Development Law are derived public persons which ensure the regional development planning, coordination, as well as the cooperation of local governments and other state administration institutions. Main functions of planning regions are determination of planning region long-term principles, aims and priorities, coordination of development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of regional development support measures.

Information about planning regions is available:
http://www.latgale.lv
http://www.kurzemesregions.lv
www.zemgale.lv
http://www.vidzeme.lv
http://www.rpr.gov.lv

Contact information

Deputy Director of Department of Regional Development –
Head of Regional Economy Division
Laura Anteina
Phone: +371-66016786
E-mail: laura.anteina@varam.gov.lv

Senior expert of Regional Economy Division (project coordinator)
Alise Vecozola
Phone: +371-66016763
E-mail: alise.vecozola@varam.gov.lv

Contact information of Norwegian partners:

Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development of Norway (involved in implementation of activity “The development of support measures for remote and underdeveloped areas for attracting qualified workforce and entrepreneurs”)
Specialist Director Arve Skjerpen
Phone: + 47 22 24 70 63
E-mail: Arve-Cato.Skjerpen@krd.dep.no
Website: http://www.regjeringen.no/en.html?id=4 

Oppland County (involved in implementation of all activities)
International adviser (project coordinator) Turid Knutsen-Løvik
Phone: +47 61 28 93 78
E-mail: turid.knutsen-lovik@oppland.org
Website: http://www.oppland.no

Aust-Agder County (involved in organization of experience exchange visits)
Senior adviser Ann Camilla Schulze-Krogh
Phone: +47 37 01 73 61
E-mail: Ann.Camilla.Schulze-Krogh@austagderfk.no
Website: http://www.austagderfk.no/Information-in-English/

Contact information of Latvian partners:

Latgale planning region (involved in implementation of activity “Development of regional entrepreneurship and innovation system”)
Manager of Administration Iveta Maļina-Tabūne
Phone: +371-67224044
E-mail: iveta.malina@latgale.lv

Manager of Latgale Business Center Vladislavs Stankevičs
Phone: +371-65423801
E-mail: vladislavs.stankevics@latgale.lv
Website: http://www.latgale.lv 

Kurzeme planning region (involved in organization of regional competitions for innovative business ideas)
Manager of Administration Kristiāns Godiņš
Phone: +371-67331492
E-mail: kristians.godins@kurzemesregions. 

Manager of Planning Division Dace Strazdiņa
Phone: +371-63321324
E-mail: dace.strazdina@kurzemesregions.lv

Website: http://www.kurzemesregions.lvlv 

Zemgale planning region (involved in organization of regional competitions for innovative business ideas)
Manager of Administration Santa Ozola
Phone: +371-63027549
E-mail: santa.ozola@zpr.gov.lv 

Manager of Development Division Dace Vilmane
Phone: +371-63025828
E-mail: dace.vilmane@zpr.gov.lv
Website: www.zemgale.lv

Vidzeme planning region (involved in organization of regional competitions for innovative business ideas)
Manager of Administration Guna Kalniņa – Priede
Phone: +371-64116008
E-mail: guna.kp@vidzeme.lv

Project Officer of Information Centre of European Union Structural funds Kristaps Ročāns
Phone: +371-64116006
E-mail: kristaps.rocans@vidzeme.lv
Website: http://www.vidzeme.lv

Riga planning region (involved in organization of regional competitions for innovative business ideas)
Manager of Administration Jānis Miezeris
Phone: +371-67559817 
E-mail: janis.miezeris@rpr.gov.lv

Manafer of Information Centre of European Union Structural funds Dace Grīnberga
Phone: +371-67559820
E-mail: dace.grinberga@rpr.gov.lv
Website: http://www.rpr.gov.lv