In order to look back on the experience exchange event in Norway under the fund for bilateral relations, which was successfully organized last year, we offer you the most interesting insights and the experience gained about the possibilities of local government cooperation with entrepreneurs, support for culture and educational activities.
On October 11-13, 2022, the experience exchange visit of seven pre-defined project promoters of the EEA Grants programme “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation” (Programme) took place in Alesund, where they got acquainted with the business promotion measures of the region, as well as examples of good practices of cooperation between entrepreneurs, municipalities and cultural organizations. The experience exchange event was organized by the Donor Programme Partner – Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, as well as representatives of the institutions involved in the implementation and monitoring of the Programme – the Programme Operator, the Programme Partner, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Latvia and the National Focal Point.
On the first day of the visit, the participants met with representatives of the Alesund municipality to learn about the municipality’s business development strategy, its goals and challenges. The participants of the event exchanged their experience in creating a dialogue between the municipality and entrepreneurs, including the challenges in the implementation of regional reform in Latvia and Norway, the education of children and youth in the field of culture. It was a valuable experience to get acquainted with the program “The Future Lab”, which is a network of partners for entrepreneurs, representatives of higher education, public organizations and the public sector with the aim of promoting cooperation, sharing knowledge, competence and experience.
After discussion with the Alesund municipality, executive director Per Erik Dalen of Alseund Knowledge Park (ÅKP) introduced participants with the work of the of ÅKP which is a regional innovation and business development center – an incubator, which has also gained international recognition in the field of clusters. ÅKP operates several cluster programs, national and international projects are implemented with the aim of transferring knowledge and experience of innovation processes to various business sectors. ÅKP focuses specifically on companies that could develop rapidly in the near future. The best available mentors are recruited, operating in various fields, such as the banking sector, innovation, as well as company managers who have led the processes for the company’s transition to the next stage of development. The cluster also has programs to support innovative business ideas, but the priority is the most promising companies.
It was also possible to get acquainted with the activities of the art workshop project “Da Vinci” of the Alesund municipality and the “Aggregate” community of artists. In the project, students participate in workshops created by professional artists, where they solve interdisciplinary issues with the help of art, for example, about waste processing, extraction and use of natural materials. The aim of the workshops is to create and approve a methodology for strengthening knowledge and competences in the education of art subjects in schools, integrating innovations and natural sciences in lessons. The emphasis is on the involvement and support of local artists of the region.
The next day, the participants of the event visited Alesund Music and Art School. The director of the school, Gro Dalen, presented the activities of the school, the available educational programs, events, projects, and also shared the challenges in attracting and motivating students. In the continuation, she gave an insight into the experience of the culture, art and integration project “Fargespill”, the aim of which is to unite children, young people and their parents of the local community of different nationalities by preparing cultural performances. In the project, different cultures are considered as a resource for the diversification of cultural life, and the most important question for young people is – what they can give from their culture. For the fifth time every year, the project brings together around 70 young people representing at least 20 different nationalities to prepare a musical show with songs and dances from all over the world. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Red Cross, which provides technical support for the involvement of young people, incl. provides transportation to/from rehearsals.
Later the participants visited Alesund Jugendstil Center and art museum “KUBE”, where they were given an insight into creative solutions in educational activities for children and young people. By developing a program of public activities, the museum aims to promote interest and knowledge of visual arts, applied arts, design and architecture. “KUBE” builds and manages an art collection that focuses on artworks and artists with a connection to the region.
On the final day of the exchange of experience, the representatives of pre-defined projects participated in the Programme Cooperation Committee meeting, during which the experience gained and the progress of project implementation were discussed. The project promoters emphasized the valuable experience gained and ideas for further project implementation, as well as cooperation with Norway.
See the photo gallery of the event here:
The event was financed by the EEA Grants fund for bilateral relations.
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