“The first steps of a business are crucial, and timely advice, mentoring and practical support helps young businesses to establish themselves and continue to grow independently. Empowering business information centres and mentoring programmes is one of the most effective ways to promote regional entrepreneurship; therefore, investment in this area makes perfect sense,” says Iveta Paludnevičiūtė, Chancellor of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation.
The project implementation plans submitted by Pakruojis Business Information Centre, Šiauliai District Tourism and Information Centre, Kelmė Tourism and Information Centre, Žemaitija Business Centre, Joniškis Tourism and Business Information Centre, Public Institution Innovation Agency, and Anykščiai Art Incubator-Art Studio have been recognised as eligible for funding.
“The funding will help to boost the establishment of new small and medium-sized enterprises in Central and Western Lithuania and the growth of existing young companies, the realisation of promising business ideas and the creation of new jobs. Pre-acceleration, incubation and mentoring programmes are an important tool to foster entrepreneurship and can really bring lasting benefits to the regions. This is the aim of the call,” says Gintarė Kuncaitytė, Head of Investment Assessment of the Investment Management Department of the Innovation Agency.
The business centres and “Spiečius” co-working centres, which will implement the funded projects, will be open to young companies and entrepreneurs who started their business at least 3 years ago. They will be able to get the advice, training and other services they need to successfully start or grow their business.
Over 1 500 SMEs across Central and Western Lithuania are expected to be pre-accelerated, incubated or provided with mentoring or hackathon organisation services. The aim is that at least 84 per cent of all businesses attracted to the project further continue their activities. Applicants will have up to 36 months to implement their projects and complete all activities and 3 months from the date of signature of the project contract to start activities.
This call is funded by the Programme for the EU Funds’ Investments 2021–2027.
