Organising TOPSA Workshops

Sapes, Xilagani (Rodopi), July 2015

 

In July 2015 Thra.Ki. undertook the management and organization of a series of workshops within the development cooperation between TOPSA and MARON. The audience was informed on the opportunities offered by the programme to its beneficiaries (100 unemployed individuals from the Maroneia – Sapes area) as well as to local businesses. An analysis was offered regarding the funding tools for the current period, as well as the funding opportunities from the new NSFR. Further good practices were presented concerning common business aim team building by underprivileged population groups (e.g. local traditional agricultural products).

 

In connection with the conclusions reached during the consultation, the framework for starting and running Social Enterprises was presented, along with the potential to promote such initiatives by the beneficiaries. The workshop also aimed at emphasizing the potential that Social Enterprises generate  for the society in general, as well as for the local government. The speakers suggested methods for utilising to their benefit unique local features in primary production concerning both the beneficiaries and the local businesses. These included intensification of product marketing strategies through networking, as well as exploitation of the added value gained through simple practices and turned to direct profit.

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The workshops also presented the results generated up to date from the TOPSA MARON project and its correlation to latest/future developments in active employment policies.