1. Innovative Approaches for Vidzeme Region Laila Gercane Head of Dept Department of Development and Projects Vidzeme Planning Region laila.gercane@vidzeme.lv Description of Successful Policies in Applying Innovation at Work and Learning Vidzeme University of Applied Science, Valmiera, June 1, 2010

2. Content 1.Vidzeme Planning Region – basic 2.Administration, institution and functions 3.Current projects 4.Inovative approaches in the projects – some samples 2

3. The most Latvian The most beautiful The most green The most smart The cradle of - Latvian theatre - Latvia national flag - Latvian national song celebration 3 Vidzeme Region

4. Planning regions of Latvia 4

5. Vidzeme in nutshell Territory: 15 246 km 2 (23,6 % of the country) Inhabitants: 234 800 (10.5 % of the country) Nationality: 85 % Latvians By sex: 47,2% men and 52,8% women (12 women : 11 men) Density: 15 inhabitants per 1 km 2. (58 % rural) Municipalities: 26 (1 city + 25) GDP per capita: 2632 EUR (54% from country average, 2006) 5

6. Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial activity higher than average Importance of rural entrepreneurship Added value increasing but still is rather low Challenges: - 1/3 covered by protected nature territory -distance from Riga -weakness of vocational training and knowledge transfer Close to Estonia and Russia 6

7. Added value per employed 7

8. FOOD Milk products Beer Bread and pastry-work Ecoproducts 8

9. WOOD PROCESING Indoor and outdoor furniture Houses (log & panel) Wooden elements, toys Traditional building & restoration 9

10. FORESTRY ADN AGRICULTURE 10

11. OTHER INDUSTRIES Tourism and recreation Metal processing Glass fibber production Trade Financial services 11

12. Institution of Vidzeme Planning Region VPR is public body under control of Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Decision-making body - Region Development Council (representatives of 26 municipalities of the region) Executive body - Administration of Vidzeme Planning Region 12

13. Functions of Planning Region Planning of regional development Coordination of regional development Coordination of cooperation between municipalities and state institutions Evaluation and coordination of territorial plans of local municipalities Regional culture coordination Regional public transport management Regional projects 13

14. Current projects 1.Implementation of Quality Management System in Vidzeme Planning Region (ESF) 2.Development of Vidzeme Region Alternative Social Service System (ESF) 3.Vidzeme Culture Programme (Latvia Culture Fund) 4.NEEBOR - Networking of Enterprises in the Eastern External Border Regions InterregIVC) http://www.neebor.eu/ http://www.neebor.eu/ 5.Waterways Forward (InterregIVC) – development of small inland waterways 14

15. 6. Trans in Form (BSR) - Transforming rural regions by launching scenarios, new narratives and attractive urban design http://www.tifpro.eu/http://www.tifpro.eu/ 7. Baltic Training Program (Central Baltic Program) - Search for innovative solutions for internationalisation of vocational training and support of cross border entrepreneurship http://www.baltictrainingprogramme.eu/ http://www.baltictrainingprogramme.eu/ 8. Wood for Bioenergy (BSR) 9. LatInnoFood (BSR or FP7) – strengthening of regional research-driven food cluster 15

16. Innovative Approaches in Projects some examples 16

17. Project Quality Management System in VPR Background – variable functions, constituted through reforms, missing national opinion To be recognized by others, we should know who we are? First regional administration in Latvia having internal development strategy, clear mission and vision. Recognized clients and their needs Tools – TQM tool CAF, webpage and electronic document management system DocLogix 17

18. CAF - Total Quality Management tool inspired by the Excellence Model of European Foundation for Quality Management and the model of the German University of Administrative Sciences in Spayer. First pilot version presented in May 2000 DocLogix - complete software solution for information and business process management, integrates all documents, faxes, emails, tasks, contacts and procedures into coherent business logic (first version UAB DocLogix, 2003) 18

19. Development of Vidzeme Region Alternative Social Service System Competences exploited – Baltic Institute of Social Sciences, Riga Technical University Tool – EKD method. Integrated collection of methods, techniques, and tools that supports process of analysing, planning, designing, and changing the business. Applied in public administration 19

20. Vidzeme Culture Programme Ca 40 000 EUR yearly 20-50 projects supported yearly Internet tool for dissemination – localisation of project, short presentation http://www.vidzeme.lv/lv/karte/ 20

21. NEEBOR Networking of Enterprises in the Eastern External Border Regions -Exchange of best practices in business support and cross-border cooperation -Promotion of cooperation between partners and transfer of best practices and innovative methods NEEBOR network (33 members) 21

22. Trans in Form Method - Attractivity barometter, developed by Telemark Institute, Norway Is based on the fact that migration between regions is only partly caused by differences in job opportunities and economic development People prefers some regions to settle, because they are attractive for other reasons This flow of people create a positive economic development and jobs in a period 22

23. Baltic Training Programme Search for innovative solutions for internationalization of vocational training and support of cross-border entrepreneurship Test model where students at VET and their individual projects are matched with host- companies abroad. During one month the participants are offered an educational programme including both theory and practice 23

24. Why and we use innovative approaches We are small, flexible and easy to change We are young, ambitious and open-minded We try actively listen to the client (inhabitants, local municipalities, national authorities, partners) – they tell a need, make a wish, and we search the method to bring the wish into reality using means what we have Interdisciplinary, synergy and complementarity We enjoy the process and we like the result 24

25. Thank you for your attention www.vidzeme.lv