Calls for the application for a social entrepreneurship competition

The Latvian Social Entrepreneurship Association, in cooperation with the Luminor Bank, announces the application for a social entrepreneurship pipes or presentation competition “it will be a growth of 2021”. The prize will have the opportunity to receive EUR 2 000 for the realization of a social business idea or project.

Existing and emerging social entrepreneurs from all Latvia are invited to participate in the competition. They may be undertakings with or without the status of a social enterprise, associations and foundations which require funding for the realization of a new idea or an existing project. It is also possible for individual persons who have yet to lolo their social entrepreneurship idea and seek their start-up funding. To submit an idea or project that corresponds to the nature and definition of social entrepreneurship – to produce goods or to provide services with a view to addressing a social problem or to benefit society.

"In the summer of that year, the sociological survey conducted by the Latvian Social Business Association shows that, however, a large part of society – 52% – still does not know what social entrepreneurship means. The competition “for that good will be growing” not only provides an opportunity to raise money for business growth, but also promotes awareness of the sector and presents the people of Latvia with the most motivation to work in entrepreneurship is the willingness to help others and create positive impact in society, "stresses the Latvian Social Business Association leader Regita Zyles.

The competition will take place in three stages. The application is open until 10 September, and the participants must complete the electronic application form. The second round of the competition will be driven by 25 stronger social entrepreneurship ideas or projects, and participants will participate in training where they will practice short, comprehensible formulating their ideas and presenting it to experts. The final of the competition will be held on October 1 in Riga, where ten finalists will go on stage and present their social entrepreneurship idea or project to the competition jury and live audience throughout Latvia in five minutes. The direct output of the competition will be seen in the “Delfi.lv” portal. The viewers will also have the opportunity to vote on their favourite.

“We are genuinely pleased to start cooperation with the Latvian social entrepreneurship association and to support our entrepreneurs in the implementation of their ideas. Social entrepreneurship in Latvia is a relatively new area, so we want it to strengthen and support society in addressing important issues. Such, values-oriented, companies are a strong pillar of socially responsible society. We call on the author of any creative ideas or innovative solutions to apply for a competition, gain valuable experience and ultimately receive support for its implementation,” says Kerli Gabrilovica, leader of Luminor in Latvia.

At the end of the competition, two social entrepreneurs or authors of social entrepreneurship ideas will receive a cash prize of EUR 2 000. The winners will be determined by the competition jury and the vote of the live audience.

The presentation competition “it will be growing” takes place for a second year. Over 60 participants came up last year, and the final win was achieved by the social enterprise Correcty, which produces T-shirts for improvement and the alternative educational institution “Universum”.

The aim of the competition “will be to grow” is to promote the development of existing social enterprises and new social entrepreneurship ideas, as well as to tell them about these ideas for the whole of Latvia. The main supporter of the competition is Luminor banka and the development finance institution “Altum” and the portal “Delfi.lv”. The tender regulations and the application form can be found on the website of the Latvian Social Business Association sua.lv/konkurss2021.

Other information: League Ivanova, liga@sua.lv, 26464686