Social entrepreneurship programme “Augšup” received 21 applications this year

In this year’s social entrepreneurship grant programme “Augšup”, 21 applications were received for financial support for the realization of various business ideas of public importance. The total amount of grants available this year is EUR 56 thousand, but the maximum amount of support for one project is EUR 8 thousand. The “Up” programme is being implemented for the third time by SEB banka in cooperation with the counties of Kekava, Marupe, Olaine, Ropazi, Sigulda, and Jelgava. Announcing this year's winners will take place in June by the jury.

“We have always closely followed and tried to support new and innovative trends in business and society, and social entrepreneurship is one of them. This year – the third year of the programme – we have received a variety of valuable social entrepreneurship projects, including educational initiatives, healthcare ideas and other projects of public interest. All projects aim to bring about positive change in society, and making a profit is not the goal of these ideas. The phenomenon of social entrepreneurship confirms that making a profit can be combined with achieving goals of public importance,” says Arnis Škapars, a member of the board of SEB banka.

Applications received this year include, for example, a project to create a STEAM workshop (educational approach focusing on digital skills and creativity) for schools; the idea of setting up a rehabilitation and recreation space for senior citizens; a project to promote the acquisition of self-help skills for oncology patients, which involves the creation of educational videos and online training to strengthen people's psycho-emotional health; a project to produce special clothing for people with reduced mobility; the idea of making the system for searching for missing persons more effective; a project on a socialisation programme to curb bullying and several other valuable initiatives.

This year, projects could be submitted until 30 April. The applications will now be assessed by a jury made up of experts from the business world as well as representatives of social entrepreneurship and local authorities. The results will be announced and the winners awarded in June.

The "Augšup" grant programme promotes and supports the implementation of meaningful business ideas that are significant for various social groups. Both existing companies and authors of ideas for social entrepreneurship that have not yet been implemented are eligible for financial support under the programme.

In previous years, the municipalities near Riga took part in the programme. This year, the programme has been expanded and the municipality of Jelgava has also joined. The “Up” grant programme is now in its third year. Last year, six entrepreneurs received support under the programme to implement their social entrepreneurship ideas.