1. Youth initiatives in Põlva County Partnership Board Ukmerge, 01. 10

2. PÕLVA COUNTY The territory of Põlva County covers 2164 km2 The county is devided into 13 rural municipalities and 1 urban minicipality. Population of the county is 31 000 people, 6500 of them living in Põlva town, the center of the county.

3. PÕLVA COUNTY PARTNERSHIP BOARD Põlva County Partnership Board was established in 2001, being the first local action group in Estonia working on the Principes of Leader. The status of local acton group was applied in 2006, European Union financing since municipalities of 13 of our county joined our local action group, the rest 4 municipalities joined another local acton group due to cultural origin; 16 000 people live in the area of action of our LAG.

4. The daily actions of the Board are managed and the board is represented by 8-member governing body comprising of representatives of non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs and local governments. The daily actions are organized and implemented by the managing director and project coordinator.

5. STRATEGY, PRIORITIES The general goal of the strategy is the growth of competitiveness and welfare of peole through local initiative. There are 3 main priorities: 1) better use of natural and cultural resources in order to enhance the competitiveness of the area 2) improving quality of life in rural areas 3) acquiring skills and developing capacity of collaboration of local action group During the periood we have granted the approval to 115 projects ( EUR).

6. Projects addressed to children and young people

7. One of our targets is to guarantee protected and better element to the peole of our area, including assuring the welfare and progress of the children Good practice: hiking and learning trail for toddlers

8. Good practice: second floor of a private kindergarten was renovated on the parents’ initiative, whereby the safety of the kindergarten enhanced.

9. Our second target is to involve the young peole to the development of the area.

10. Education and training trips of the youth leaders.

11. Involving young people to development processes
Involving young people to development processes. Good practice: in summer schools organized by local actions group they can discuss and speak about their problems and expectations and find solutions.

12. Enhancing working habits of young peole
Enhancing working habits of young peole. Good practice: labor camps are very popular and are endowed by both Leader and the local governments.

13. Projects carried out by young peple themselves
Projects carried out by young peple themselves. Good practice: rock festival Laheda Rock has became traditional.

14. Third target is establishing possibilities of entrepreneurial activities for young peole. Good practice: car repair and diagnosics workshop founded by young men

15. Notice kids! Accept and respect them!

16. Põlva County Partnership Board www. partnerluskogu
Põlva County Partnership Board Thank you!