On 15 October 2026, the third Regional Stakeholders Meeting of the Interreg Europe project “Women’s Employment and Entrepreneurship in Just Transition Territories” (Just Femme) took place in Kuldīga, Latvia. The meeting focused on promoting women’s entrepreneurship and business opportunities as a sustainable employment transition mechanism in just transition territories.
The event opened with a presentation by Rimants Safonovs from Kuldīga Municipality, who provided insights into the role of women in entrepreneurship in the municipality. Viktorija Reine and Baiba Niedola from the Kurzeme Planning Region and Aija Miltiņa from Ventspils Municipality presented the latest developments and achievements of the project. Information on business support opportunities in the Kurzeme region was provided by Zane Meļņika from the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
An important part of the meeting was a series of study visits to women-led businesses in Kuldīga. Participants visited RumbaBuss, a company providing sustainable mobility and tourism services, as well as the family café Pagalms, SilJa, the sustainable fashion brand Zig Zag Factory, and the organic and zero-waste store KUULE. During the visits, entrepreneurs shared their experiences, challenges, and success stories in developing businesses in regional areas.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Kurzeme Planning Region, regional municipalities, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the Ministry of Welfare, and local businesses. Discussions highlighted the important role of women’s entrepreneurship in regional development, job creation, and strengthening the resilience of local communities.
The knowledge and insights gained during the meeting will contribute to identifying good practices and developing policy improvements aimed at supporting women’s employment and entrepreneurship across just transition territories participating in the Just Femme project.
About the project
Just Femme is an Interreg Europe project involving partners from eight EU countries – Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands and North Macedonia.
Its mission is to ensure that the Green and Digital Transitions also work for women, by promoting their active participation in entrepreneurship, employment, and regional policy-making in Just Transition territories.
Information prepared by:
Viktorija Reine
Project Manager at Kurzeme Planning Region
Phone: +371 29762971
Email: viktorija.reine@kurzemesregions.lv
