At this point in time, innovation is crucial for rural entrepreneurship. Linkages between entrepreneurs and consumers are based on old market systems, which makes it complicated to anticipate on current trends in society. Globalizing markets, high quality requirements and the regional context of entrepreneurs are opportunities. Constraints are related to organizational and financial matters. Barriers between opportunities and constraints have to be taken. Establishing new linkages and forming new alliances between entrepreneurs seems crucial. Cooperation yields more than individual parties could possibly achieve and collaboration across borders is essential.
The focus of the conference is the Kempen, a region with a rich tradition and identity despite the fact that it was divided (between the Netherlands and Belgium) by a borderline for political reasons. Regarding entrepreneurship, there is a whole range of initiatives and networks in the Kempen. There is a lot to be learned.
In European rural areas, small and medium scale enterprises could flourish if they take up opportunities and improve the collaboration with the public sector. Trends and opportunities for European entrepreneurs are: basing regional development on the specific regional identity and the ‘sense of place’. Key questions to be addressed are:
- How to improve regional cooperation?
- How could public-private cooperation contribute to regional enterprise development?
- What could be the additional value of prominent boundaries?
How to improve rural entrepreneurship for a sustainable economy across borders? What are the lessons to be learned? What is the additional value of cooperation across borders (between entrepreneurs, between entrepreneurs and the authorities and within the triangle: knowledge institutions/entrepreneurs/authorities?
The key issues during the seminar are: Proven methods, instruments and concepts (Financial, regarding the process, public-private partnerships) The context of political and financial constraints in public funding best practices and relevant experiences.
Day 2, 19th November, International day
Day 2 will be organized in cooperation with the European Network for Rural Development. During the conference different keys issues, methods and tools to promote and support rural entrepreneurship will be presented and discussed in various workshops. Topics to be addressed are: establishing networks, increasing knowledge and creativity, access to markets, access to capital and financial support, an enterprising public sector, delivery of public goods and use of local resources.
The workshops
The workshops will focus on various concrete ways to support rural entrepreneurship in several countries. These international examples show how innovative projects have evolved. Communication will be in English.
1. Knowledge and creativity
Knowledge institutions and entrepreneurs do often operate in two different worlds, whereas rural areas need professional entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, in turn, need knowledge to improve their product. Hence, challenging questions are: how could rural entrepreneurs improve access to knowledge? In other words: how to link knowledge institutions to entrepreneurs? The workshop on ‘knowledge and creativity’ will cover examples of professionalizing entrepreneurs and bridging the knowledge gap between institutions and entrepreneurs.
2. Capital and financial support
How could, apart from subsidies, entrepreneurs be financially supported? Money spinners for areas as well as entrepreneurs will be highlighted in the workshop on ‘capital and financial support’. One example is the so called regional account. What does it entail, what is the purpose and how does it operate?
3. New markets
In order to ensure a smooth marketing of produce, entrepreneurs have to explore new markets continuously. Hence, how to assess new markets is a key question to entrepreneurs. Successful international examples of how product-market combinations evolve, will be the theme in the workshop ‘new markets’.
4. Strategic networking
Collaborating entrepreneurs are stronger than the ones who only compete! Possible areas of collaboration are: sharing knowledge, joint promotion of produce or joint representation in strategic networks. What kind of collaboration exists between entrepreneurs and is the mode of operation? The workshop ‘strategic networking’ shows the benefits of collaboration. Virtual collaboration through the World Wide Web will be dealt with as well.
5. An enterprising public sector
How could the public sector support and facilitate entrepreneurs? Is that by having transparent legislation only? Public servants with an entrepreneurial spirit create new opportunities for the public sector itself as well as for entrepreneurs. Both parties share interests, which is shown in public-private partnerships. Examples of municipal support to entrepreneurs and the role of municipalities in regional marketing will be highlighted in the workshop ‘an enterprising public sector’.
6. Public services
Examples of enterprises using regional resources in a different way are: farmers involved in environmental management, generating energy at local level, new estates as centres for development. How to make best use of opportunities and what is the role of entrepreneurs? In the workshop ‘public services’ innovative, international cases will be highlighted.
