Latvian Women Entrepreneurs Leaders’ Association Aiva Vīksna, Publishing House Applied Information Service, Executive Director Association LIDERE, Chairperson of the Board Employers’ Confederation of Latvia, Vice President 2010

Association LIDERE is a non- governmental organization, which unites women entrepreneurs and leaders in their professional area. 8 women entrepreneurs and professionals established the organization in February 3, At the moment LIDERE unites 37 individual members and there is a representative organization in Rezekne – Club SENTIO

The Goal of Association to promote mentoring in Latvia; support women entrepreneurs in the cities and rural areas of Latvia; increase women density in the foundation of accomplished companies and in the creation of new workplaces; provide free access to information and possibility to receive advises.

The objectives of association Promote co-operation with the institutions supporting SMEs in Latvia and abroad; Attract co-financing to the organisation's projects; Create a network of co-ordination, information and consultation, that could be used by women in the Latvian cities and rural areas; Increase women self-confidence, create favourable environment for foundation of new enterprises; Co-ordinate the process of businesswomen work, clarify difficulties and provide solutions; Promote co-operation and exchange of experience between new and experienced businesswomen; Organise charity events and other activities.

We are achieving our goal by organizing Mentoring programmes for entrepreneurs Association LIDERE in co-operation with Women’s Enterprise Agency (Finland) and with the support of Ministry of Economics of Latvia started first Mentoring programme for entrepreneurs in The partners of the project are: – Women’s Enterprise Agency (Finland) – Ministry of Economics of Latvia – Regional Partners 10 programmes have been closed 2 programmes have been carried on TOTAL number of programmes - 12

MENTORING PROGRAMMES FOR ENTREPRENEURS organized by LIDERE Mentoring programme for entrepreneurs is free of charge. There are no more than pairs in one programme and the programme lasts for 12 months. In the framework of programme experienced entrepreneurs (mentors) share their experience with young entrepreneurs (mentees). The aim of the programme is to support newly started entrepreneurs and those who would like to start their own business, support development of new enterprises and work places, provide with the possibility to get information and consultations.

THE RESULTS OF MENTORING PROGRAMMES 299 participants have participated in mentoring programmes for entrepreneurs from 2005 to 2010: – 143 mentors - experienced entrepreneurs 119 women 24 men – 156 mentees - young entrepreneurs 137 women 19 men

THE RESULTS OF MENTORING PROGRAMMES Companies of Mentees

THE RESULTS OF MENTORING PROGRAMMES Evaluation of the participants

The other activities of association LIDERE From 2003 EXPLORATION “Women in Entrepreneurship”. From 2004 PROJECT “LET’S EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE”: – Conference for Latvian entrepreneurs and top managers; – Bulletin for Latvian women entrepreneurs “LĪDERE”. Lectures for students and young entrepreneurs in regions of Latvia.

Projects we are proud of: — The Joint Events DAY OF MENTORING – Workshop: Examples of Good Practice in Mentoring – Exhibition of Products and Services – Conclusion of the Competition “Mentor of the Year 2007” – Publishing of Informative Brochure “Mentoringa ABC” (“ABC of Mentoring”) MENTORING MASTER WORKSHOP. WEST— EAST „Mentoring Master Workshop. West – East” organized by the association was held in Latvia with the participation of five representatives from the Afghan Women’s Business Federation. An intensive, two-day experience and professional knowledge exchange took place during the mentoring master workshop, which, besides the guests from Afghanistan, were attended by 15 business women and leaders from Latvia, several guest lecturers, and state officials. The project was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, the Ministry of Defence, as well as the personal participation and contribution from the entrepreneur Valerijs Belokons.

Projects we are proud of: — CONFERENCE “Enhancing women’s role in society, business and development“ Association LIDERE in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia held the conference „Enhancing women’s role in society, business and development“ with the participation of five women entrepreneurs and leaders from the Iraq. This event insured the possibility to get theoretical and practical knowledge with great lecturers an professional on several topics – such as environment of entrepreneurship in Latvia and Iraq, role of woman in society, woman in politics and business; development of personality; mentoring in theory and practice; contacts among representatives from Iraq and Latvia were established All-Latvian Women's Conference "Women in the economy, politics, society – overcoming changes." Organized by MEP Prof. Inese Vaidere, Association LIDERE and Latvian Rural Women Association

Projects we are proud of: II All-Latvian Women's Conference "Open Horizons - Entrepreneurship, Self-confidence, Motivation." Organized by MEP Prof. Inese Vaidere, Association LIDERE and Latvian Women's NGO Network To celebrate women entrepreneurs and to encourage women's solidarity the Member of European Parliament, Mrs. Sandra Kalniete has announced her award for small and medium-size business owners. Association LIDERE helped to realize the contest technically - registered applications and co-ordinated the jury’s work. The Chairperson of the Association Aiva Vīksna acted as the jury’s chairperson the acceptance of applications was completed, 27 applications were received and all of the applicants from Riga and all regions of Latvia received warm invitation from Mrs.Kalniete to attend the award ceremony, held in Riga, Vija Ancane, the owner of bakery “Aglona Bread” Ltd and director of “Museum of Bread” has won the main prize and each applicant received Mrs. Kalniete’s invitation to visit Brussels. It will be an opportunity for them to get acquainted with European Parliament and other EU institutions work.

Projects we are proud of: July, 2009 —Association LIDERE in co-operation with Employers’ Confederation of Latvia has prepared proposals to government for development of SME sector in Latvia. October, 2010 – Employers’ Confederation of Latvia has proposed an initiative for representing associations of small and medium-sized and microenterprises and employers' organizations from all over the Latvia to create SME Platform and 23 organizations, including LIDERE agreed on the need for joint action to protect interests of SMEs. Organizations agreed on co-operation in SME Platform and signed a Memorandum of Co- operation, which will determine further actions to support SMEs Policy Area, in co-operation with the responsible national institutions, local governments and the private sector.

Projects we are proud of: — —Association LIDERE acts as National Focal Point of initiative “BREAK GENDER STEREOTYPES, GIVE TALENT A CHANCE!”. The European Commission has launched an initiative to help private sector companies and in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to better understand the benefits of combating gender stereotypes in the world of work, thus improving their competitiveness. Gender stereotypes have a significant impact on the labour market and the business sector. Although companies cannot afford to waste talents, stereotypes related to what is more appropriate for men and women often act as barriers. To address these issues, the initiative includes a series of workshops that take place in the 27 EU countries plus Iceland and Norway. Such workshops target staff of: chambers of commerce; business and professional associations; training bodies; businessmen and businesswomen; SMEs managers; human resource managers; and all those who work to improve SMEs competitiveness. The action also develops and provides an ad-hoc training “toolkit” for better and full use of individual talents within a company. 3 National workshops in Latvia—Riga, Iecava and Rezekne—are organized by association LIDERE.

Projects we are proud of: March – October, 2010 Pilot Project “Career Mentoring and Coaching.” NGO’s LIDERE, "ICF (International Coach Federation), Latvia", "Come and do!" and State Employment Agency of the Ministry of Welfare have launched the joint project "Career mentoring and coaching”. In the framework of project 15 active unemployed persons will receive the advice of mentor or coach consultations with an aim to create their own company or career changing and development. All Parties have signed the Co-operation Agreement and competition was launched for application for participation in the project. Partners of the project received 42 applications. 15 motivated and active unemployed persons were selected and they started to co- operate with mentors and coaches in the second - practical operational phase of the project, which officially started in and co- operation will last for 6 months. The participants of the pilot project will report on their cooperation in October 15, 2010.

Future Plans CAREER MENTORING INTERNATIONAL MENTORING E-MENTORING TO JOIN OFFICIALLY THE MOVEMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS - AMBASSADORS A.O.

Thank you for your attention!