1. Background Information  

Cities involved in the project: Ventspils and Valmiera

Name of the Project: Next Generation Micro Cities of Europe  

The Aim of the Project: Promote economy and business environment of the cities of Ventspils and Valmiera. The innovative solutions introduced in the project will develop skills and capacities of the workforce as well as provide favourable conditions for business development and job creation 

Project Priority: Jobs and skills in the local economy. 

Project Budget: EUR 6,246,405.15, including ERAF co-funding EUR 4,997,124.12

Project Start: 01/11/2018

Project End: 31/10/2021

Contact Information: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Project Manager - Maija Cēbere, maija.cebere@venta.lv  

The project is co-funded within the framework of the European Regional and Development Fund Initiative “Urban Innovative Actions”. This information reflects only the author’s point of view and the authorities of initiative “Urban Innovative Actions” are not responsible for the potential use of this information. 

Ventspils City Council, Valmiera City Council, Ventspils High Technology Park, Valmiera Development Agency, Ventspils Vocational School, Valmiera Technical School, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, limited liability companies SIA Aspired and SIA IntelliTech.   

3. Challenges Addressed 

European microcities such as Ventspils and Valmiera play an important role in European economy. They become regional economic hubs, offering comprehensive services, opportunities and a dynamic environment for development. Ventspils and Valmiera are similar in profile. They use global and digital potential and introduce a series of innovation. Ventspils and Valmiera have formed a strong partnership to address several common challenges.

• Population of Ventspils and Valmiera shrink by an average of 0.59% annually. Although situation is improving, brain drain occurs due to migration to the capital city. Enterprises are increasingly lacking in skilled workforce, especially in ICT and other technical sectors.
• Cities lack comprehensive career development support for pupils, students and adults. Very few young people choose to pursue their careers in STEM. Adults require retraining. People must develop digital skills.
• Technical industries are increasingly demanding skilled workforce. There is a large gap between supply and demand, and demand for ICT specialists exceeds the supply by two to three times.
• Vocational schools and universities do not always keep up with the rapid changes in the labour market which happen due to generational disparities. The use of educational technologies and modern educational programmes in the educational process is lacking. Too few international students choose local universities as their alma mater.
• There are too few joint projects by industry and educational institutions. Public support for industry to create new jobs should increase. Public sector lacks proactive and innovative marketing approaches to attract local and foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in technical sectors.     

4. Solutions Proposed

Project introduces several urban development system innovations in Ventspils and Valmiera. The solutions and results of the project will inspire other European microcities to grow and develop.

• Implementation of comprehensive microcity-wide career development support system to pupils, students and adults based on Gatsby Foundation Good Career support principles. It includes retraining of workforce for ICT sector and the development of a digital solution for attracting talent.
• Development and implementation of generational marketing strategy and action plans for local vocational schools and universities.
• Development of “EdTech Factory”, a digital innovation hub for educational sector. It is also a pioneer, enthusiast and innovator of educational technologies helping educational organisations and companies become more competitive.
• Introduction of EdTech solutions into local vocational schools and universities – both technical solutions as well as adapted and new study programmes, approaches and methodology.
• Implementation of an innovation grant scheme for local businesses, piloting the approach of The Ten Types of Innovation Framework by Doblin Deloitte, as well as promoting joint projects by industry, educational institutions and research institutes. It includes testing the ‘Whole city as an innovation testbed’ approach.
• Piloting microcity Makerspaces, an open-type workshops and prototyping hubs encouraging start-ups and business idea authors, “‘maker movement’” in technical sectors, as well as utilisation of sharing economy principles.
• Development and implementation of innovative FDI strategy and FDI marketing plan. It includes piloting of FDI attraction campaign using the ‘“whole city as an innovation testbed’ approach.  

• The number of students in universities and vocational schools increases, in particular filling all available study places in ICT faculties.
• The percentage of international students in both universities reaches the European average.
• Four EdTech solutions as well as EdTech based study programmes are introduced to students, lecturers and teachers. All EdTech solutions are used on regular basis by all ICT students and students from other faculties and programmes.
• At least 10  new EdTech solutions are developed by the EdTech Factory, a digital innovation centre for educational sector.
• At least 100  ICT talents attracted to microcities, at least 100 people retrained for the ICT sector.
• At least 1000  pupils and students engaged in career development activities, including 250  pupils actively participating in the summer employment programme pilot. 
• More pupils choosing STEM fields as their future career paths.
• Two Makerspaces in both cities are up and running, offering regular events and services that boost maker community, sharing economy practices as well as development of product prototypes to be commercialised.
• At least 10  innovations introduced and implemented by enterprises. In both cities at least 20 new enterprises established, and at least 160 new workplaces created.
• In 2020/2021 both cities are awarded the 1st and 2nd places by the FDi Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times (European Cities and Regions of the Future ranking, category of Microcities).
• Many results capitalised and transferred to other European microcities.