Brussels, 01/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - A unique Latvian initiative from the Latvian Chamber of Commerce which aims to help micro-enterprises was announced on Monday 25 November as the main winner of the 7th European Enterprise Promotion Awards. The Think Small First project promoted the creation of a special tax rate and simplified tax accounting system for microenterprises, making it cheaper and simpler for small companies to operate in Latvia.
The European Enterprise Awards 2013 were presented on the fringes of a small business summit in Vilnius. The Promoting Entrepreneurial Spirit Prize went to MyCity (Finland). The MyCity learning entity, sponsored by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, is a miniature city, built from mobile wall elements, and includes 15 different local and regional enterprises and public services in which students can work.
Starter's Agreement (Belgium) won the Improving the Business Environment Prize. Entrepreneurs enter into an agreement with the City of Ghent to draft a business plan, get professional advice and specialist guidance, and follow training and development courses.
The Supporting the Internationalisation of Business Prize went to Portuguese Shoes (Portugal). APICCAPS, a national business association, with the support of the Compete Programme, has taken various measures to promote Portuguese footwear, including the development of a campaign symbol for Portuguese Shoes using the slogan Portuguese Shoes: Designed by the Future.
The Investment in Skills Prize went to Senior Enterprise (Ireland), which is specially designed to encourage greater involvement with enterprise by those aged 50 and over and to raise awareness of their potential to start, acquire or invest in a business, or to become a volunteer mentor.
The Supporting the Development of Green Markets and Resource Efficiency Prize went to The Town of Gürsu: Developing Unlimited Green Energy (Turkey). To increase the use of green energy in Gürsu, four innovative applications have been configured, tested and applied, including a photovoltaic solar energy plant and use of solar energy in all service areas.
The Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship Prize went to Integration of disadvantaged people (Slovakia). AV mobilita s.r.o, a sheltered workshop, specialises in integrating disabled people into all areas of life. It provides registered disabled citizens with employment and access to lifelong learning. (EH/transl.fl)