On the afternoon of 28 October, an online miniforum “Social entrepreneurship in Rezekne municipality” was held, involving more than 20 participants, including entrepreneurs from various sectors, local government employees, NGOs and stakeholders who want to learn more about social entrepreneurship opportunities in Rezekne municipality.

The online event was discovered by Rēzekne District Council Member Anita Ludborža, making it meaningful and successful for participants to participate in this event, as well as Director of the Latvian Social Business Association (LSUA), Madara Ulande and LESUA project manager Regita Zyles, giving a brief overview of social entrepreneurship and its developments, technical information and the progress of the event.

Dana Barbale, Deputy Executive Director of Ogres council, told online participants about the experience of the municipality of Ogres in cooperation with social enterprises – what was the beginning of the municipality's way to providing support to the social entrepreneurs, why it was started at all. Dana also mentioned various laws, or the role of a local government in the activity of social entrepreneurship, including the fact that the local government is prohibited from transferring the property of a public person to the use of non-remuneration, except if the property is transferred to the social enterprise for non-remuneration. Dana also called for a discussion on whether it was enough and what could be the form of municipal support for social entrepreneurs in collaboration with LSUA.

Dana informed about the current performance of the municipality of Ogres in this area, reflecting the offer of local government support to social entrepreneurs, and wished the municipality of Rezekne to develop its ideas and ambitions in support of the support to social entrepreneurs.

The miniforum was continued by THE Rēzekne municipality'S Lūznavas manor manager, the Ambassador of Social Entrepreneurship Iveta Balzer, who had prepared a presentation on the existing municipal cooperation with social enterprises, the local government's needs in solving social problems and providing support to social entrepreneurs, the current social business situation in Rezekne municipality after mapping results, as well as the supply and demand of existing and potential social enterprises.

After Iveta's speech, all the participants were divided into four groups, together with moderators, all interested parties had the opportunity to participate actively in discussions on three different topical issues related to social entrepreneurship in Rezekne municipality. In the joint discussion, however, each group presented its findings on each issue, then a summary of the discussions and conclusions were drawn.

The direct link event was concluded by Regita Zyles, informing all participants of future project activities - vebinary and free consultations in autumn.

Overall, this measure enabled all stakeholders to learn more about social business opportunities in Rezekne municipality, as well as the local government to get an idea of the next steps to be taken to successfully support new social entrepreneurs in the municipality.

The municipality of Rezekne calls on the existing and future social entrepreneurs to communicate with the Ministry of Education - Business (IUK) commercial activities specialists in Maija Hartmanis and Sanita Vjaksi (http://rezeknesnovads.lv/novada-pasvaldiba/contacts-2/) on various issues related to social entrepreneurship in the municipality of Rezekne.

IUK Commercial Specialist May Hartmane