Acronym: Heritage Business

Contract Number: ESTLATRUS/1.1./ELRII-291/2012/31

Beneficiary: The Union of Setomaa Rural Municipalities

Beneficiary Address: The Union of Setomaa Rural Municipalities

Country: Estonia

Region: South Estonia

Project Location: Pskov Region, Vidzeme Region

Start Date: 01.04.2013

Project Duration: 21 months

Grant Amount: 839.147,00 €

Percentage Of Total Eligible Action Costs: 90%

Summary: The main problems in border regions, which are remote areas, are the same: 1)decrease of population; 2) low business activity; 3) unemployment. One measure targeting these problems is development of SMEs. In EU 20 million SMEs represent 99% of businesses, and are key driver for economic growth, employment and social integration. According to researches made in Estonia and Latvia the survival rate of SME-s after 3 years is 50-57% and situation in Pskov Region is mainly the same. Therefore improvement of competitiveness of SME's is important. Overall objective of the project is development of competitiveness of SME’s from border areas through the cross border co-operation and the use of local cultural heritage and resources in product development. Achievement of this goal contributes to a long-term future impact, which is more sustainable and competitive economy in project area. At the same time huge potential and beneficial location of project area in the cross roads of 3 countries and rich cultural heritage (Seto, Pskov, Vidzeme, Latgale) is underutilized. There is regional development programme of Seto ethnic culture initiated in Pskov region, current project also supports the achievement of the aims of this programme. Specific objectives of the project are related to 1) Improvement of skills and capacity of SME's in project area for using local cultural heritage, traditions and local resources in different business sectors; 2) Improvement of business environment for SME's in project area through exchange of know-how and experiences; 3) Improvement of skills and knowledge of school-children about entrepreneurship to ensure the future sustainability of business sector and to reduce unemployment of young people; 4) Creation of modern public infrastructure for SME's in project area, which can be used for consultation, meetings, trainings, seminars, dissemination of information, incubation etc. The Project is targeted at the group of 0-5 years old SME's from project area, but also at school children. It enables school-children to receive both practical and theoretical basic knowledge about entrepreneurship and business life.

Project homepage: www.setomaa.ee/index.php?id=6a2feef8ed6a9fe76d6b3f30f02150b4

Measure name: Fostering of socio-economic development and encouraging business and entrepreneurship

Measure: 1.1

Involved partners:

1. The Union of Setomaa Rural Municipalities, Obinitsa village, Meremäe municipality, Võru county, 65301
2. Administration of Pechory district, Kaštanovaja street 1, Pechory, Pskov oblast, 181500
3. Ape Municipality Council, Statcijas street 2, Ape, Apes novads, LV-4337

Additional information:

1. Portfolio_291.pdf (pdf) 419.32 KB
2. Portfolio_291_RUS.pdf (pdf) 439.67 KB
3. Result Sheet (pdf) 1.18 MB