Innovative Approaches for Vidzeme Region

Laila GercaneHead of Dept

Department of Development and ProjectsVidzeme 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

Content

1. Vidzeme Planning Region – basic2. Administration, institution and functions3. Current projects 4. Inovative approaches in the projects – some

samples

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The most LatvianThe most beautiful The most greenThe most smart

The cradle of- Latvian theatre - Latvia national flag - Latvian national

song celebration3

Vidzeme Region

Planning regions of Latvia

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Vidzeme in nutshell• Territory: 15 246 km2 (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 km2. (58 % rural)• Municipalities: 26 (1 city + 25)• GDP per capita: 2632 EUR (54% from country

average, 2006) 5

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

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Added value per employed

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FOOD

• Milk products• Beer• Bread and pastry-work• Ecoproducts

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WOODPROCESING• Indoor and outdoor furniture• Houses (log & panel)• Wooden elements, toys• Traditional building & restoration

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FORESTRY ADN AGRICULTURE

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OTHER INDUSTRIES

• Tourism and recreation• Metal processing • Glass fibber production• Trade• Financial services

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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

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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

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Current projects1. 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/

5. Waterways Forward (InterregIVC) – development of small inland waterways

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6. Trans in Form (BSR) - Transforming rural regions by launching scenarios, new narratives and attractive urban design 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/

8. Wood for Bioenergy (BSR)9. LatInnoFood (BSR or FP7) – strengthening of regional

research-driven food cluster

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Innovative Approaches in Projects

some examples

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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

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• 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)

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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

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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/

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Thank you for your attentionwww.vidzeme.lv