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Valmiera, Beverīna, Burtnieki and Kocēni municipality innovation support programme “ZĪLE”
Published on 14 May 2018
Latvia
Latvija
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About this good practice
The aim of the Innovation support programme in Valmiera, Beverīna, Burtnieki and Kocēni municipalities as the Latvian centre of industry and dynamic entrepreneurship is:
• Promoting the realisation of new products and innovations, strengthening existing enterprises and promoting the development of new (particularly innovation-based and technologically orientated) enterprises;
• Promoting cooperation of private and public sectors in building Valmiera, Beverīna, Burtnieki and Kocēni municipalities to become a test-bed for innovations and new products.
The programme is being realised to motivate and encourage local entrepreneurs to introduce all kinds of innovations in their companies. The programme organisers believe that such programme will both inform and educate entrepreneurs about types and tactics of innovation as well as raise the number of innovative enterprises in Vidzeme region and Latvia.
The programme provides support up to EUR 10 000 for local entrepreneurs. The funding will finance development, testing or implementation of any innovation within the company. Basic support rate is 60% for companies which plan their actions in Valmiera and employ 1-3 locals.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of the programme are local and regional entrepreneurs, communities and society overall.
• Promoting the realisation of new products and innovations, strengthening existing enterprises and promoting the development of new (particularly innovation-based and technologically orientated) enterprises;
• Promoting cooperation of private and public sectors in building Valmiera, Beverīna, Burtnieki and Kocēni municipalities to become a test-bed for innovations and new products.
The programme is being realised to motivate and encourage local entrepreneurs to introduce all kinds of innovations in their companies. The programme organisers believe that such programme will both inform and educate entrepreneurs about types and tactics of innovation as well as raise the number of innovative enterprises in Vidzeme region and Latvia.
The programme provides support up to EUR 10 000 for local entrepreneurs. The funding will finance development, testing or implementation of any innovation within the company. Basic support rate is 60% for companies which plan their actions in Valmiera and employ 1-3 locals.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of the programme are local and regional entrepreneurs, communities and society overall.
Resources needed
The planned budget for the pilot year is EUR 22 000 (3-4 projects).
The planned budget for the following years is EUR 100 000 (10-15 projects annually).
The planned budget for the following years is EUR 100 000 (10-15 projects annually).
Evidence of success
The programme is one of the few regional innovation programmes in Latvia, the idea is rewarded by Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia with additional funding. During the initial development phase, all surrounding municipalities expressed their interest to be involved and take part in the programme. The programme organisers negotiated the terms of the programme with them to make it of broader reach. First results - available by the end of 2018.
Potential for learning or transfer
There are numerous support programmes in Latvia on national, regional and local levels. However, most of such support programmes focus on business idea authors and start-ups. Although Valmiera, Beverīna, Burtnieki and Kocēni Innovation support programme for entrepreneurs does not exclude any entrepreneurs, the primary focus of the programme is on existing businesses and spin-offs.
Another factor that differs the programme from other regional and local support programmes - it is now the only support programme in Latvia that focuses on all kinds of innovation, including RIS3 sectors, while being implemented locally and regionally only (as a result of the cooperation of several municipalities).
Within the programme, the whole territory of all four municipalities will become an innovation test-bed which is unique for Latvia.
The programme emphasises the importance of cooperation of public and private sectors where both parties benefit greatly.
Another factor that differs the programme from other regional and local support programmes - it is now the only support programme in Latvia that focuses on all kinds of innovation, including RIS3 sectors, while being implemented locally and regionally only (as a result of the cooperation of several municipalities).
Within the programme, the whole territory of all four municipalities will become an innovation test-bed which is unique for Latvia.
The programme emphasises the importance of cooperation of public and private sectors where both parties benefit greatly.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Valmiera Development Agency
Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Project manager