Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania

Date of latest update: 2025-12-16

Description

Description (EN):

The project “RE:IMPACT” aims to empower the regional social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuanian regions by strengthening the capacity of social enterprises (SEs). Project partners will encourage the public sector involvement by supporting educators and promoting best experience stories, thus fostering positive social impact for local communities. The project will map potential development areas of SEs, develop practical educational materials for schools and business centres, build capacity of SEs, and share experiences. As a result, the public sector will be empowered to pilot an innovative approach on a local level to foster social entrepreneurship in regions.

Description (LV):

Projekta “RE:IMPACT” mērķis ir veicināt reģionālo sociālās uzņēmējdarbības ekosistēmu Zemgales un Ziemeļlietuvas reģionos. Projekta partneri stiprinās sociālo uzņēmēju kapacitāti, veicinot publiskā sektora līdzdalību, atbalstot pasniedzējus, tādējādi veicinot pozitīvu sociālo ietekmi uz vietējām kopienām. Projekta rezultātā tiks noteiktas potenciālās sociālo uzņēmumu attīstības jomas, izstrādāti praktiski izglītojoši materiāli skolām un uzņēmējdarbības centriem, stiprinātas sociālo uzņēmēju prasmes, kā arī norisināsies pieredzes apmaiņa. Turklāt publiskajam sektoram būs iespējams izmēģināt inovatīvu risinājumu sociālās uzņēmējdarbības veicināšanai reģionos.

Description (LT):

Projektas „RE:IMPACT“ siekia įgalinti regioninę socialinio verslumo ekosistemą Žiemgalos ir Šiaurės Lietuvos regionuose. To pasiekti tikimasi stiprinant socialinio verslumo gebėjimus, perkeliant atsakomybę į viešąjį sektorių, remiant pedagogus ir skleidžiant gerosios patirties istorijas. Tai paskatins teigiamą socialinį poveikį vietos bendruomenėms. Projekto partneriai nustatys potencialias socialinių įmonių plėtros sritis, parengs praktinę mokomają medžiagą apie socialinį verslumą mokykloms ir verslo centrams, ugdys socialinio verslumo įgūdžius, dalinamasi patirtimi. Taip bus sukurta galimybė viešajam sektoriui išbandyti novatorišką požiūrį vietos lygmeniu ir skatinti socialinį verslumą regionuose.

Actual Achievements (EN):

In this 1st period the management structure was established by partners individually and as project consortium together. The communication channels were created and used on regular bases. The meetings on line and offline were conducted on regular bases. Project partners started to work on activities under WP1 and WP3. During the period fallowing activities was done and deliverables delivered: Methodology for comparative analysis of social innovators in the Zemgale region and Northen Lithuania was created. According the methodology, the Comparative analysis was done (in English, draft). Learning trip of partners experts and project staff members to Barcelona region was done in order to learn from more developed systems and examples of social entrepreneurship. The article about this learning trip was published in www.latlit.eu. In order to create practical, user-friendly educational methodological materials about social entrepreneurship, the Data collection and needs analyses was done in this period. The surveys were conducted with different target audiences in two regions - Zemgale and Rokiški in order to find out the needs, the recommendations for the development of methodical materials in the next period. The publication and information in PP’ webpages, social media accounts, www.latlit.eu was done. Planning for the next period activities was done. During the second project period partners reached a few essential milestones to successfully implement project’s activities and reach the set goals. The project partners have received positive feedback from various stakeholders that the implemented activities and the results of the project will be very important and needed. The objectives of WP1 are almost achieved - the mapping and evaluation of the potential development areas of SEs, analyse, comparing the needs of SEs in Zemgale region and Northern Lithuania has been finished in the 2nd period and translated in ENGL and LV by LP and PP3. As the 1st output it was reported Output 1.1: Comparative analysis. The final version of the document has been attached as deliverable D1.1.2. The practical educational materials about social entrepreneurship for schools and business centres has been developed by internal, external experts PP2, PP3, PP4 and planning of piloting of these materials has been started by LP1 and PP3. The activities just started or are in the planning process in order to achieve the objective of WP2 - the first experience exchange event took place in Jelgava county very successfully. The most part of the activities has been started or are in the planning process in order to achieve the objective of WP3 - the promotion and publicity activities goes very well. PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEETINGS: All partners actively participates in the regular project management meetings held by LP. The meetings help to follow the progress of the activities and exchange various views and perspective on how to better implement the activities. This is also the moment to exchange the experience between Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues which provides additional perspective to the implementation of the project. ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS: All partners keeps organising administrative side of the project, ensuring all necessary documentation, agreements, and procedures are in place. This set the stage for smooth project execution and compliance with all requirements. PUBLICITY REQUIREMENTS: All partners are engaged in communication and dissemination activities.

Project outputs: Comparative analysis(EN)
Methodical materials(EN)
Local action plan for public sector(EN)
Policy overview and recommendation for social entrepreneurship development on a regional level(EN)
Media campaign(EN)

Thematic information

Labour market and employment Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Priority: (VI-A_Lv-Lt_3) Priority 3 Fair and inclusive society

Priority specific objective: RSO4.3. Promoting the socioeconomic inclusion of marginalised communities, low income households and disadvantaged groups, including people with special needs, through integrated actions, including housing and social services

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 163 Promoting social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived and children

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Zemgales Plānošanas reģions

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90002182529

Address: Katolu street, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.zemgale.lv

Total budget: EUR 191 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 340.00

Contractors:

Name: RIXCO, Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: LV43603017555
Name: VIKTORIJA B, Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: LV43603036429
Name: M.A.N, Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 43603033403
Name: VP Sales, SIA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 43603033403
Name: Scrivanek Baltic, Ltd.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40003626172

Lietuvos socialinio verslo asociacija

Name: Lietuvos socialinio verslo asociacija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 304781115

Address: Antakalnio Str, LT-10312 Vilnius, Lithuania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.lisva.org

Total budget: EUR 151 968.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 574.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 393.60

Contractors:

Name: Darius Meilus
VAT registration or tax identification number: 544247
Name: UAB "LEXIN auditas"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100005670019

Rokiškio rajono savivaldybės administracija

Name: Rokiškio rajono savivaldybės administracija

Department: Strategic planning and investment department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 188772248

Address: Respublikos St. , 42136 Rokiškis, Lithuania

Department address: Respublikos St. , 42136 Rokiškis, Lithuania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.rokiskis.lt

Total budget: EUR 97 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 78 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 19 560.00

Contractors:

Name: Kriaunų bendruomenė
VAT registration or tax identification number: 173740967
Name: Asociacija "Veiklus pilietis"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 302893980
Name: UAB "LEXIN auditas"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100005670019
Name: Lithuania Junior Achievement
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100016505518
Name: Rokiškis Education Center
VAT registration or tax identification number: not VAT registered
Name: Vilma Atkočiūnienė
VAT registration or tax identification number: IAC No.310863
Name: Lithuanian Democracy College
VAT registration or tax identification number: 191798210
Name: UAB Okas Language Solutions
VAT registration or tax identification number: 125681529

Latvijas Sociālās uzņēmējdarbības asociācija

Name: Latvijas Sociālās uzņēmējdarbības asociācija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 50008244721

Address: Alberta iela , LV-1010 Rīga, Latvia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.sua.lv

Total budget: EUR 153 818.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 123 054.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 763.60

Contractors:

Name: ZināšanuUnInovāciju sabiedrība
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40008142094
Name: SIA “Media House”
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40003229368
Name: SIA “Emīla Nedarbi”
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40103843857
Name: Bērnu izglītības biedrība
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40008207992
Name: LBTU
VAT registration or tax identification number: 90000041898

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Lithuanian Social Business Association

Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Partners and Projects info

Rokiškis District Municipality Administration

Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Partners and Projects info

Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia

Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Partners and Projects info

Zemgale Planning region

Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Project acronym: RE:IMPACT

Project ID: LL-00020

Project start date: 2024-02-01

Project end date: 2026-01-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

INTERREG EUROPE - Border Regions in Europe for Social Entrepreneurship/ BRESE/ (EN) | Project BRESE aimed to deconstruct barriers, raise awareness, and assess policy frameworks and business support schemes for Social Enterprises by comparing and improving existing policy instruments in different European border regions. This project collected and analysed important data from the regions that will serve as a good basis to continue gathering important information that can help set up new approaches and initiatives. Project partners can use already existing learnings, the data from created reports, analyse collected good practices and take into account the recommendations. (EN), Latvian Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 LEADER cooperation project "Successful social entrepreneur in rural area" (EN) | The aim of the project was to promote social entrepreneurship, enabling and developing in rural areas to foster cooperation among inhabitants, entrepreneurs and municipality representatives and understanding about social entrepreneurship as an equivalent to any business sector. SEAL took part in the project and gave their expertise in creation of valuable resources and raising general awareness of the sector. RE:IMPACT will continue to use successful activities and strategies to reach a possibly broader audience and introduce them to the social entrepreneurship concept. Moreover, the experience used in creating valuable resources in the "Successful social entrepreneur in rural area" project will serve as a guide to develop helpful support materials. (EN), ESF co-funded project “Support for Social Entrepreneurship” (EN) | The purpose of the project was to identify and verify the optimal solutions for creation and development of social enterprises, including the support to work integration. The project includes such activities as awareness raising measures about the social enterprises, their importance and possible contribution to economic growth and society, as well as the development of a support system for social enterprises and the promotion of social start-ups.
SEAL is actively collaborating with involved stakeholders such as the Welfare ministry to see the best ways to help social entrepreneurs to grow their business and social impact. Moreover, when partners are planning to work on policy recommendations creation, the ministry of Welfare will be a valuable asset. (EN), EEA grants project “Entrepreneurship support measures in the Zemgale Planning Region/Entrepreneurship in Zemgale” (EN) | The objective of project “Entrepreneurship support measures in the Zemgale Planning Region/ Entrepreneurship in Zemgale” was to reduce social and economic disparities between the local governments of the Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR), strengthening the capacity of specialists and entrepreneurs and creating mechanisms for the development of innovation and business in the region. The main target groups were municipalities, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, including organisations representing employers, children and young people, schools and educators.
Project RE:IMPACT will continue building the capacity of the entrepreneurship specialists of Zemgale Planning Region, entrepreneurs in general as well as the young people and education establishments. The project “Entrepreneurship support measures in the Zemgale Planning Region/Entrepreneurship in Zemgale” helped to understand that the youngsters are very interested in social entrepreneurship as the project offered creative workshops and inspirational events. Within the framework of this project Zemgale Planning Region organised a trade mission for Social Entrepreneurs to Norway (Trondheim) strengthening the social entrepreneurs of Zemgale. Project RE:IMPACT will continue to work with similar target groups on a new level with concrete actions to make the next step in social ecosystem development. (EN), NTERREG EUROPE project “Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mindset in Young People through the Dynamization of Competences, Teaching Methodologies and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem/ E-Cool” (EN) | The objective of “Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mindset in Young People through the Dynamization of Competences, Teaching Methodologies and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem/ E-Cool” project was to improve regional development policy documents in the partner regions in order to create a more youth-friendly business environment, develop young people's entrepreneurial spirit and the necessary competences to contribute to economic development and increase EU competitiveness.
The project has developed a tool plan "Developing an action plan for entrepreneurship education in the E-COOL project", where the priority actions for youth involvement in entrepreneurship are: - Further training of teachers in entrepreneurship; - Reducing inequalities in entrepreneurship in the regions; - Developing young people's creativity, etc.
The RE:IMPACT project activities are focused on entrepreneurship education for young people and educators. Through the pilot activities, young people will be taught about social entrepreneurship and this will also foster their creativity. The learnings and feedback from the project “Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mindset in Young People through the Dynamization of Competences, Teaching Methodologies and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem/ E-Cool” will be taken into account. (EN), The Ministry of Welfare activity cycle "Developing Social Entrepreneurship Together!", financed by ESF (EN) | The diverse activities strengthen and develop the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Latvia and is running until November 2023.
SEAL has been part of this project and is working with a series of events designed for different target audiences - existing and prospective social entrepreneurs, stakeholders in the sector, local governments, investors and policy makers, young people, business incubator participants, and organisations with the capacity and resources to create an enabling environment for social entrepreneurship. RE:IMPACT project will build upon the main conclusions gained in working with public sector and social entrepreneurs, building a good synergy and upon gained knowledge. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 595 286.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 476 228.80

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 476 228.80. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

Methodology for comparative analysis
Comparative analysis
Learning trip
Information about overview of the state of play of SEs
Data collection and needs analysis
Methodical materials
20 piloting sessions of methodical materials
Training guidelines
Training workshop
Promotion of created materials
5 Experience exchange trips
Methodology for action plan
Workshops for public sector and support ecosystem representatives
Meetings for public sector experience exchange
Local action plan for public sector and its validation
Policy overview and recommendation for social entrepreneurship development on a regional level
Promoting created materials
Workshops
Consultations
Promotion of experience stories
Wider public events on social entrepreneurship
Information in project profile on www.latlit.eu
PP websites and/ or social medias of PP
Informative posters
Final event
Promoting the results of the project
Agreement on future cooperation between partners

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project will contribute to EUBSR by bringing the stakeholders of the Baltic region together and working together on a common goal. One of the most important components of the project is to work on similar challenges and learn from each other's experience, thus strengthening the connections and possibly creating new cooperations. Work with the public sector will show the most successful practices of regulations as well as other support mechanisms for the sector.
This project will contribute to Policy Area Innovation Action 1 and Action 3. The project is focused on finding innovative ways to respond to such challenges as Covid pandemic, its after effects, the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising energy prices and inflation. Often the social entrepreneurs are the ones coming up with innovative ways to improve the life of disadvantaged groups and communities in general, thus creating inclusive sustainable societies. Moreover, bringing the best ideas from cross-border collaboration can create transnational platforms for knowledge, skills and best practice exchange.
Other The concept of the support of social enterprises is integrated into a few strategic policy documents in Latvia - the National Development Plan of Latvia for 2014–2020; the National Development Plan of Latvia for 2021–2027; the Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030.
As these documents stress the necessity to provide support for social entrepreneurship, the project will directly contribute to the reinforcement of diverse actors in the ecosystem. Moreover, these strategies stress the importance of knowledge transfer from the public sector to social enterprises. During the project these two target groups will be brought together for extensive experience exchange, possible creation of cooperations as well as better understanding of each other's daily business.
Other The project complies with the priorities and goals of the Zemgale Planning Region Development Program 2021-2027, P3 Competitiveness and growth of enterprises, Action 3.1.3. To promote the development of social entrepreneurship in the region by identifying and gathering the resources available to municipalities for social entrepreneurship support. Project will build the capacity of the social entrepreneurs by analysing their weaknesses and offering workshops and individual consultations to improve the gap of these skills. Moreover, the work with the public sector will strengthen the support system from local authorities and thus it will ease the growth and development of social enterprises locally. As one of the key principles to develop social entrepreneurship is to raise the awareness of the general public the project will focus on bringing the understanding and good practises to the society with the help of extensive communication activities.
Other The project complies with the priorities and goals of the Strategic Development Plan of Rokiškis District Municipality until 2030. Action:1.1.2.5. Promotion and development of social businesses, implementing a measure of local development strategies, states that Rokiškis municipality is planning to boost social entrepreneurs, new emerging social entrepreneurship ideas. The project will help work on this action by both offering the growth opportunities to social entrepreneurs by strengthening their capacities as well as by working with the public sector and possibly establishing new cooperations that can help social businesses to grow.
Other The Social Economy Action Plan is an important initiative to highlight the importance of social entrepreneurs in implementing other key policy frameworks e.g. the European Pillars for Social Rights, through their potential to provide sustainable job creation as well as complement public services. Social Economy Action Plan encourages increased learning, collaboration, and scaling of social entrepreneurs’ innovative solutions across borders in order to effectively address shared societal challenges.
Social Economy plan is the core of project partners - SEAL and LISVA daily activities, therefore, partners are following the updates and new possibilities to be offered to the stakeholders. Moreover, the annual event for social entrepreneurship in Lithuania Social Enterprise Forum 2022 “Developing social business: towards a sustainable and inclusive economy” organised by LISVA was held at the Seimas. European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit opened the forum with a welcome speech stressing the importance of implementation of the action plan in the Baltic region. The leaders of the social business ecosystem and politicians discussed the prospects for developing this sector and its importance for the Lithuanian economy and for solving the challenges faced by society. The main takeaways, feedback and discussion outcomes will be taken into account during the work in the project RE:IMPACT.
Other European Union to fund the start-
up of National Competency Centres for Social Innovation.
These Centres, still in development phase, aim overall to build awareness, knowledge and pathways for social
innovation scaling at both national and transnational level. LISVA and SEAL have been involved in the strategy building phase of the centres. Social innovation centres will help to promote social innovation as a tool for regional development during the project RE:IMPACT.
Other "Encouraging entrepreneurship and creating incentives for the growth of companies" 2022-2030 program in Lithuania. This strategy is working on a national level and it supports the idea to provide measures to support social entrepreneurship and public service transfer to social enterprises in Lithuania. This strategy will be a valuable reference point for public sector involvement in the project RE:IMPACT and to provide general support to social businesses.
Other An important development on national level – inclusion of social entrepreneurship and social economy importance in the State Progress Strategy (hereinafter - "Lithuania 2050") development report. In this report, the Government of Lithuania presents one of the stages of the development of the intermediate result – the report of the public consultation on Lithuania's future vision and strategic ambitions, which was prepared by analysing the answers collected during the survey, as well as by qualitative data (answers to open questions) content analysis. Although the survey is not representative, its results are important because it indicates important signals - what should be paid attention to when refining Lithuania's future vision and strategic ambitions. Thus, the project's activities are helping to put this strategy into practice. Various activities in the region will show the benefits of social economy development.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Latvija (LV)

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO116) Jointly developed solutions: 1.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-16

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

67 / 67 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

235 / 235 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Improving the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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