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LNet pilot project / Photo: GLE Prague > projects

Using the critically acclaimed European Learning Network (LNet) model, GLE has launched a pilot project promoting enterprise as a route out of social exclusion in Prague.

Over the last few months, GLE Prague office has been working in partnership with “People in Need” on the concept of a pilot project and has been mapping all initiatives in the Czech Republic to promote entrepreneurship to disadvantaged groups as a route out of social exclusion. After different researches we arrived to the conclusion that there are not many projects in the Czech Republic and especially in Prague to promote enterprise in deprived areas with high unemployment, where people may lack the attitudes, confidence and motivation for entrepreneurship.

Following the success of the European Learning Network , LNet – led by Greater London Enterprise (GLE) – has recently been awarded a six month extension by the INTERREG IIIC Secretariat in order to put into practice lessons learned during the exchange of experiences between the five LNet partner cities (i.e. London, Prague, Hamburg, Milan, Amsterdam) in the field of entrepreneurship support.

As a result, GLE suggested to the INTERREG IIIC Secretariat to run a pilot project in Prague in order to test the LNet final manual which looks at UK and EU good practice in enterprise support to disadvantaged groups in deprived areas. The framework of this project has been designed using the LNet online manual which provides advice and guidance on how to encourage enterprise, and entrepreneurship in deprived urban areas and is targeting four out of six socially deprived urban areas in Prague (i.e Zizkov -Prague district 3; Smichov -Prague district 5 and Karlin -Prague district 8, Nové Butovice -Prague 13 deprived areas.

The project is targeting people who are long-term unemployed or classified as socially excluded and is working with them to help them explore and see the business creation and self-employment as route out of social exclusion.

GLE’s extensive experience in running similar projects in London has also provided a starting point for the project’s development. One of the main aims of the project is to identify administrative, political, technical and cultural barriers to disadvantaged groups to set up a business in Prague but also to lobby the policy maker to take future initiatives in addressing issues in order to help in improving the business environment for disadvantaged groups in deprived areas.

GLE is working in partnership with “People in Need” and other local organisations including NGOs, to recruit beneficiaries and raise awareness amongst disadvantaged groups about business creation and its benefice. Through the outreach work we promote business creation as another possibility to be taken into account by disadvantaged groups as route out of social exclusion. Through outreach work we provide practical and basic advice and trainings to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge needed for setting up and running a business.

GLE can offer practical advice in how to set up a business, address marketing plans and legal issues through trainings and give to people also the right direction to other services when needed.

International conference LNet 1st October 2007 (City Hall of Prague, Mariánské náměstí 2, Praha 1)
Presentation and notes from the conference are saved here:

The European Learning Network project,
Delphine Michel, Project Manager, GLE Brussels office