Local producers are actively discussing and finding solutions to implement their ideas

As the winter sun approached, the most important works are being done, the year spent, and new ideas for the future. As well as the Rēzekne District Communities Partnership (partnership), the end of that year concluded with seminar for domestic producers and craftsmen, gathering them together and enabling them to exchange contacts, ideas, solutions. The workshop showed more than 20 participants representing sectors such as food processing (production of meat products and dairy products, juices), ceramic production, trade, beekeeping, rural tourism, use of herbal plants and spices, soap production, clothing design and stitching, domestic production.
Latgalic identity
At the beginning of the seminar, the participants were asked about what Latgale had to say, to which there was patriotic answers – many with Latgale understand home, homeland. Knowing their identity, the difference from others, it can be successfully used in production, offering quality products on the market.
Tourism demand in Latgale
Ligita Harčevska, the leader of Rezekne's municipality, informed the participants of the “free niche” and the demand in the tourism sector – a lack of resting places for families with children where shared activities could be transferred, as well as a unique, new product/service to attract customers. A very important factor is the hospitality with which visitors are taken – it sometimes outweighs the defects and quality of the tourism object – a smart master and employees who perform their duties in good faith and “with the heart”, are those who choose to return. The purchasing power and pricing of people were also mentioned as a significant factor.
The producers were invited to join, cooperate among themselves, as there is a lack of complex tourism offers in the region. Positive examples of cooperation are IN THE parish OF Gaigalavas, where tourists are offered a route that includes both catering and “Shmakovka” tasting, workshops, cheese production, tasting of confectionery. On the other hand, Griškānu parish housekeeper also offers the production of herbs produced in neighbouring countries.
The issue of cooperation led to a wide-ranging and active exchange of discussions and contacts between the participants – producers shared their needs, cooperation partners, and many of them found solutions – the transport to Riga, the outlets of new products and the opportunities for sale were offered.
Support to local producers
The financial resources are not always sufficient for successful operation and the seminar continued with a presentation of the Rēzekne District Community Partnership on LEADER funding opportunities for the start and development of production. “Nature, work, life in your municipality!” – its partnership slogan describes its purpose and basic values.
The partnership operates in the municipality of Rezekne and Viļānu in the territory of Latvia and currently introduces a community-led local development strategy (strategy) for 2015-2020, on the basis of which project competitions for the population are announced. The business project competition will be launched in February 2017 and the producers are invited to come up with their business idea for advice to examine each idea and explain the conditions for obtaining support.
During the presentation, there was both an opportunity to ask questions and obtain the necessary information on THE LEADER programme funding for new and existing entrepreneurs, and to find out how the project submission, evaluation, implementation was carried out. It should be noted that THE financing OF THE LEADER programme is 70%, which is the highest aid intensity in Latvia, and it is also necessary to consider high competition among project applicants.
THE LPC “Viļāni”, which shared THE experience of LEADER projects in a workshop, encouraged potential project applicants to operate, acquire funding, develop. “Viļāni” is one of the examples of success IN the acquisition and development of LEADER financing – the cooperative has developed both its brand and website, and the production is ecological and diverse, as well as Garda. In 2015, the partnership put forward a cooperatives “Viļāni” competition “singer – 2015”, in which the co-operative won the award in the nomination “annual LEADER project in the local action group”.
Local government support and direct purchase
In order to inform the people about the possibilities of the “LEARN” of the Rēzekne municipality (rural economy in Rezekne municipality), the senior advisor of the foundation, Anita Matisane, informed about THE results of THE LEARN 2015 and the projects implemented, planned activities, project competitions.
Producers were invited to apply for domestic and artisanal trade organised on the third Thursday of each month. It was stressed that there is a lack of bakers and dairy farmers.
On the other hand, Iveta Ieva Aleksane, owner of the “green” store, was happy to share the story of the creation of his shop and the willingness to offer consumers an ecological, local Latgale producer – it was a direct purchase movement. Currently, the number of direct purchase customers is seasonal (30 to 50). The shop offers a wide range of products – crafts, spices, valuable organic cosmetics and other products, and on Tuesday morning of each week, domestic producers are delivered to the store after an individual order, where they are received by purchasers. This option is very important for small producers, and the customer has the opportunity to receive a fresh product prepared directly for him. More about the direct purchase movement and other options in the “green” page.
Self-operation, cooperation, co-operation
The practical part of the seminar was revealed with a brief introduction that not the person who could find the information needed, but the one who could use it.
One small business is extremely difficult to develop. It was discussed about successful cooperation models and its motivation, the need to “discard” prejudices and attitudes, but based on mutual benefits. Many overwhelming concerns about stealing the idea, telling others, but it is impossible to implement the idea without being active. Direct communication helps to find cooperation and the necessary solutions.
The participants of the seminar were given a unique opportunity to receive free advice on their product packaging, appearance, improvement of supply from other participants, and each of them scored at least three valuable tips and innovative ideas that can be realized in life.
At the end of the seminar, stakeholders were delayed to discuss opportunities for mutual co-operation and international exhibition, as well as discussed the available financial instruments to cover external marketing costs.
The seminar was concluded in a positive and resolute atmosphere. The partnership will allow all participants in the seminar to achieve the intended, find the necessary, launch successful cooperation, implement project ideas!
Christine Seņkane,
Partnership of the “Rēzekne District Communities”
project Coordinator
More information: www.rezeknespartneriba.lv