The Youth Opinion Workshop and Competition “Made in Liepaja”

The youth opinion workshop “Made in Liepaja”, organized by the Liepaja SEZ Authority concluded with a lively discussion and a business lunch, in which students from general education schools were invited to participate. The essence of the competition, which was organized in cooperation with the Board of Education and the local general education schools, was to find out what youngsters think and how they see further economic development of the city. In total, 39 works were submitted to the opinion workshop - both individual research and works created by groups of like-minded students.

The Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis noted that young people are the driving force of the city’s future, and it is their knowledge, creativity and initiative that will be important conditions for the development of Liepaja. Therefore, it is important to timely involve the younger generation in discussions on business and entrepreneurship, and the prospects of the industry. “Such discussions certainly help the younger generation to better understand their interests, to be aware of future opportunities and to choose the most suitable professional path for themselves. At the same time, it provides insight into the development trends of the industry and the economic goals of the city. Educated and purposeful youngsters are a strong foundation for Liepaja's growth,” added the Liepaja SEZ CEO. He also acknowledged that he was particularly pleased with the conclusions and proposals developed by the young people, which demonstrate not only their ability to think analytically and strategically, but also a genuine desire to get involved in the development of the city and to shape its future.

The received works of the participants from general education schools and the Liepaja State Technical School were evaluated by a jury, which included representatives from the Board pf Education, the Liepaja SEZ Authority and entrepreneurs. In long and intense discussions, the jury selected 5 works that received promotional awards – the Liepaja gift cards and 5 award-winning works, the authors of which were invited for a discussion and business lunch with the Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis. After the meeting, the students admitted that it was valuable to discuss entrepreneurship, decision-making, and to learn how the business environment is formed in Liepaja, to get to know less visible nuances that entrepreneurs encounter and solve on a daily basis.

The opinion workshop and the competition were organized within the framework of the exhibition “Made in Liepaja”. The students had to choose one of the proposed topics, to conduct research during the exhibition, to interview entrepreneurs and company representatives who operate in an active business environment, to summarize the information obtained and to prepare conclusions and suggestions. The Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority would like to thank all active participants and their teachers. All participants of the competition, as the weather gets warmer, will also be invited to go on an excursion to get to know the economic environment of Liepaja and to make sure of what business activity is taking place in the Liepaja SEZ territory.

Awards:

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Magdalēne Maija Valtere

Topic: Where does money come from?

- Liepaja State Gymnasium - Elīza Bauseniece

Topic: 5 essential advantages that characterize Liepaja as a quality business environment.

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Jeļizaveta Kovaļova, Viktorija Siļčonoka

Topic: 5 risks that can negatively affect business

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Krista Jonika and Maija Alise Zvirbule

Topic: 5 essential advantages that make a company attractive to an employee.

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Paula Roliča and Līva Vēkause.

Topic: 5 essential advantages that make a company attractive to an employee.

Promotional awards:

- Liepaja Liedaga Secondary School - Sofija Bičāne, Ļevs Celoguzs, Ariadna Hromovskiha, Viktorija Jegorova, Artjoms Jonkins, Marats Kerimovs, Poļina Pavļučenko, Staņislavs Škrobs, Kirils Volkovs, Vladislavs Žerebcovs. 

Topic: 5 risks that can negatively affect entrepreneurship.

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Kārlis Ļaudobelis, Marks Zveja, Dēvids Einas.

Topic: 5 risks that can negatively affect entrepreneurship.

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Nikija Mikāle.

Topic: 5 risks that can negatively affect entrepreneurship.

- Liepaja Friendly Appeal Secondary School - Sanija Mače

Topic: 5 most important advantages that make a company attractive to an employee.

- Liepaja Liedaga Secondary School Alise Kalašņikova

Topic: Where does money come from?