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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR MOTIVATING LATVIAN PROVINCES TO TAKE ADVANTAGESON OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY ESFJuris Lavendels 1 , Vjaceslavs Sitikovs 2Riga Technical University1, Kalku Street, Riga LV-1658, Latvia1 E-mail: jurisl@cs.rtu.lv2 E-mail: vss@latnet.lvKEYWORDSEuropean Structural Funds, regional development,project application, e-Environment, further educationABSTRACTStatistical data of utilization of the means of EuropeanSocial Fund in Latvia shows that its largest part ends upin Riga. First of all, this is due to relatively small amountof applications submitted from regional entities. Fromour point of view, the main reason is the preconceptionthat the preparations of applications are too complicatedand this assumption causes incredibility in own forces.We consider one way to improve the situation to be theappropriate continuing education of regional entities’representatives and inhabitants, giving them the sameknowledge and skills as in metropolis in issues related tothe submission of applications. This education envisagesdistance learning, which would increase theircompetitiveness in National programs, open calls andgrants. The following steps are required:• Developing environment for the preparation ofteaching materials in computerized form;• Developing the course of ESF projects’ applicationand implementation;• Fulfilling the course;• Providing up-to-date information about ESFactivities during the implementation of projects;• Providing conditions for course studies also afterproject completeness.To promote the raise of regional competitivenesscapacity to attract European Structural Funds’ resourcesRiga Technical university (RTU) participates in ESFopen call 3.2.4.2. “Enhancement of the economicallyrelevant continuing training opportunities” (MoES andAVED 2004) with the application “InformationalTechnologies for motivating Latvian provinces to takeadvantages of opportunities provided by ESF”(hereinafter Project). Project’s urgency is confirmed in2006 on 8th of February by ESF governance committeeconvention (FM 2006), where new national program“Regional EU structure fund informational centreestablishment and activity” was reconciled, that solvesproblems touched in Project in highest level.The aim of this article is to acquaint Latvian provincescommunity, especially regional high schools’ employeeswith projects’ applications, to stimulate discussion aboutattraction the resources of European Structural Funds inLatvian provinces.GENERAL AIMProjects’ general aim is to facilitate human resources’development and encourage improvement of situation inlabour market by securing high level of employment andstruggle against unemployment, as well as realizingequalization of regional economical distinction. To gainthe aim it is necessary to stimulate Latvian provinces’organizations and inhabitants to maintain situationimprovement in regions, int. al. to employ abilities,which offer EU fund activities both in form of Nationalprogram, and projects’ competition form, that Project ispointed at.Project envisages the set of concrete measures, whichwill make possible province inhabitants to get mainknowledge in their places of adobe to participatesuccessfully in ESF activities, thus to stimulate bothpersonal situation improvement, and regionaldevelopment.Project will contribute average-term aims defined inSingle Programming Document (SPD 2004) andProgramme Complement (PC 2004) – competitionability’s development and employment improvement,human resources development and infrastructureimprovement, as well as structural policy’s horizontalaim following-up – information society’s formation,region development and gender equality. Project workresults will further valuable accession of the Republic ofLatvia to the European Union.GENDER EQUALITYCurrently in provinces is appreciable level ofunemployment, usually limited demand is for lowqualifiedrough labour performers, and thus provinces’women have worse employment opportunities than men.Annual Proceedings of Vidzeme University College “ICTE in Regional Development”, 200687