March, 2004

Entrepreneurship is the mindset and process to create and develop economic activity by blending risk-taking, creativity and/or innovation with sound management, within a new or an existing organisation.

Entrepreneurship can occur in any sector and type of business. It applies to the self-employed and to firms of any size throughout the various stages of the business life-cycle, from pre-start to growth, transfer or exit and re- start. Entrepreneurship is relevant for firms in all sectors, technological or traditional, for small and large firms and for different ownership structures, such as family businesses, firms quoted on the stock exchange, social economy enterprises or non-profit-driven organisations, which often have significant economic activities. Applications of Entrepreneurship Relevance

The capacity to adapt to economic changes is crucial for competitiveness. In L isbon in 2000, the European Council defined its objectives in terms of employment, economic reform and social cohesion. The Council recognised the need for radical transformation of the economy, in order to create some 15 million new jobs by For 2010, the Union aims “to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”. In 2001, the European Council agreed on a strategy for sustainable development and added an environmental dimension to the Lisbon strategy. The Lisbon strategy is a commitment to renewal

We share the project learning space for dialogue The Latvian Council of Science project Brussels, Document based on COM(2003) 27 final Green Paper Entrepreneurship in Europe (presented by the Commission) for knowledge creation, management

This Green Paper outlines what we understand as entrepreneurship and what are its constituent parts, explains the importance of entrepreneurship and assesses the state of entrepreneurship in Europe. The Paper addresses two key issues for Europe. Firstly, why do so few people start a business, when a relatively large number of individuals express their interest in entrepreneurship? Secondly, why do so few European enterprises grow and why do those that grow do so at such a modest rate? The Green Paper aims to stimulate debate amongst policy makers, businesses, representative organisations, journalists and experts on how to shape entrepreneurship policy for the future. It analyses a range of policy options and asks, within the proposed framework for entrepreneurship policy, a number of questions suggesting different options on how to reach progress. From

European attitudes towards entrepreneurship are regularly examined in surveys conducted on approximately 8200 people from the general public in the EU and the US. Flash Eurobarometer n° 146: Entrepreneurship Survey conducted on behalf of The European Commission, Directorate-General Enterprise by EOS Gallup Europe, Survey: September 2003 Analytical Report: March 2004 Download the survey report:

Now the Commission has published an Action Plan, based on the extensive feedback received on the Green Paper, which establishes a framework of five strategic priority areas setting out Europe’s agenda for entrepreneurship in the years to come. The Action Plan outlines a series of key actions related to five strategic areas. High on the agenda are fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among young people, reducing the stigma of failure, providing support for women and ethnic minorities, reducing the complexity of complying with tax laws and facilitating business transfers. Action Plan: The European agenda for Entrepreneurship Overview of the main funding opportunities available for SMEs “EU support programmes for SMEs". Download the survey report:

Latvian attitudes towards entrepreneurship are examined in surveys conducted in the framework of the project RIS Latvia Survey: 2002 Report in progress : 2004

Latvian dimension of the research on Entrepreneurial Futures in Europe Towards an European Foresight Area Knowledge based Societies of Europe

Latvian dimension of the research on Entrepreneurial Futures in Europe Towards an European Foresight Area Knowledge based Societies of Europe Project Welcome to collaboration Dr. Arturs Puga