Fostering Home-Based Self-employment Opportunities

Short title:  Home Based Self-employment

PRIORITY 1: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Measure 1.1: Promotion of socio-economic development and encouragement of business and entrepreneurship

Beneficiary: Verus Foundation (Lūznavas parish, Rēzekne district, Latvia)
Partner: Public Society "Association of Employers and Entrepreneurs" (Vitebsk, Belarus)
Associate: Centre of Folk Crafts and Arts "Dvina" (Vitebsk, Belarus), FACTUM (Riga, Latvia)

PROBLEM: The necessity of cross-border cooperation stems from low economic activity in the respective cross-border region. Latgale region is the most underdeveloped region in Latvia having the highest unemployment rate and very low economical activity. The action in particular focuses on problem of self-employed home-based individuals (amateur craftsmen and artisans). Such people often lack sufficient necessary knowledge and resources for successful running of their activities.

OBJECTIVES: to increase economical activity of individuals excluded from labour market by providing potential home-based self-employed individuals (craftsmen) with favorable entrepreneurial preconditions for working at home.

RESULTS&OUTPUTS: 

The home-based craftsmen benefited from this project. Now they can use the web-based platform developed during the project: laby.co. With the help of this e-platform, they can exchange contacts, learn and promote their handcrafts.
A number of trainings, experience exchange visits and participation in the festivals of the neighbours were organised promoting cooperation of Latvian and Belarusian craftsmen.
The publications about entrepreneurial conditions and legal base for business in the cross-border territory were issued.