Latvia

The main goal of “Pierīgas partnerība” is to promote the improvement of the quality of life of the population living in the territories of Babīte, Olaine and Mārupe counties by promoting sustainable rural development, which includes promotion of both economic and social activity, environmental improvement and the sustainable use of existing resources. The tasks of organisation include:

• unification of local governments, non-governmental organizations, business representatives and citizens and to develop cooperation between them;
• creation of local development strategy that determines and substantiates the development priorities of the local territory and the need for change;
• empowerment of counties’ inhabitants to submit and implement projects that promote the development of the environment of the counties, increase of the quality of life of the inhabitants and positive recognition of the territory;
• design of the activities of local civic groups in accordance with developed strategy and to administer the EU funds allocated for the implementation of the strategy.

Organisation is one of the partners in a LEADER project “Successful social entrepreneur in rural areas”. Within the project, organisation actively supports young people with a mentoring program for young social entrepreneurs. The program involves existing, newly established social entrepreneurs, as well as future social entrepreneurs who are still developing their idea. The program includes both group lessons and individual sessions. Each month, classes are dedicated to a specific topic – legal issues of social entrepreneurship and the Theory of Change, which helps to be aware of social impact, business modeling, design thinking, marketing, branding, accounting, as well as business plan development. Within the framework of the five-month mentoring program, motivated young social entrepreneurs develop own social entrepreneurship ideas.

Within the project, “Pierīgas partnerība” has developed a collection of videos explaining social entrepreneurship opportunities in Latvia. Videos can be found here.

To promote sustainable and balanced development of the territory in Gulbene region, representing the interests of the society and encouraging its active participation in solving socio-economic issues, involving entrepreneurs, local governments, non-governmental organizations and residents. Currently, “Sateka” consists of 23 associations representing various interests – rural women, youth, seniors and people with special needs, farmers, culture, sports and other fields, 6 entrepreneurs from various fields, 13 representatives of parish administrations, and several other persons.

Organisation is one of the partners in a LEADER project “Successful social entrepreneur in rural areas”. Within the project, organisation actively supports young people with a mentoring program for young social entrepreneurs. The program involves existing, newly established social entrepreneurs, as well as future social entrepreneurs who are still developing their idea. The program includes both group lessons and individual sessions. Each month, classes are dedicated to a specific topic – legal issues of social entrepreneurship and the Theory of Change, which helps to be aware of social impact, business modeling, design thinking, marketing, branding, accounting, as well as business plan development. Within the framework of the five-month mentoring program, motivated young social entrepreneurs develop own social entrepreneurship ideas.

Within the project, “Sateka” has developed a collection of videos explaining social entrepreneurship opportunities in Latvia. Videos can be found here.

The objective of Partnership “Daugavvkrasts” is to promote sustainable development in the territory of Ķekava municipality, Latvia, representing the interests of the society in its development. Organisation is one of the partners in a LEADER project “Successful social entrepreneur in rural areas”. Within the project, organisation actively supports young people with a mentoring program for young social entrepreneurs. The program involves existing, newly established social entrepreneurs, as well as future social entrepreneurs who are still developing their idea. The program includes both group lessons and individual sessions. Each month, classes are dedicated to a specific topic – legal issues of social entrepreneurship and the Theory of Change, which helps to be aware of social impact, business modeling, design thinking, marketing, branding, accounting, as well as business plan development. Within the framework of the five-month mentoring program, motivated young social entrepreneurs develop own social entrepreneurship ideas.

Within the project, Partnership “Daugavkrasts” has developed a collection of videos explaining social entrepreneurship opportunities in Latvia. Videos can be found here.

Our goal is to promote the development and availability of the 21st century skills – creativity, critical thinking and creativity for individuals and organizations, thus strengthening their position and sustainability, which in general forms the knowledge-based society in Latvia. The goal is achieved through the implementation of educational activities throughout Latvia. Since 2009, ZINIS offers creative public workshops to both the public sector and businesses, helping to strengthen the creativity and creativity of participants, as well as fostering the entrepreneurial capacity to develop new initiatives. The resources obtained from the provision of educational services are directed towards achieving the goal of the society the development of new training topics, free consultations
for the authors of ideas, as well as support for the creation of a new generation of entrepreneurs and development of their mentor support network.

Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (SEAL) is a member organization for organizations, enterprises and individuals who want to promote social entrepreneurship in Latvia.

At the moment SEAL unites more than 70 members – NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, activists and experts. SEAL network of contacts reaches well beyond our members, including mayor stakeholders, experts, foundations, businesses, media and more, including international organizations and experts. Three mayor fields of work are:

1. Advocacy work on a local, regional and national level. At the moment SEAL is part of a working group in the National Parliament which is working on a social entrepreneurship law draft. At the same time, we work closely with local municipalities and the Ministry of Welfare towards creating a support system for social enterprises (financial support, training, mentoring etc.) on a local and national level.

2. Creating a social entrepreneurship “eco-system” by providing a platform for cooperation and learning, as well as looking for ways how to respond to the needs of our members and social entrepreneurship industry in Latvia. Practically that means connecting social enterprises with those who can help them (experts, mentors, service providers etc), organizing events for sharing skills and knowledge, bringing in experts from abroad, working with media and information, as well as providing expertise and consultancy in particular areas (e.g. legal help, finances, grant writing, media and communications etc)

3. Raising awereness in a wider society by organizing public events, going to schools and universities, working with media and doing many other things in order to attract attention to all the amazing things our social enterprises do, and education the society about the value of their products and services.