What is the EPICENTER
It is the result of the implementation of four main European projects undertaken by the Chamber of Commerce of Lesvos in close cooperation with several other local authorities. Its aim is to act as a center of support of entrepreneurship, employment and self-employment.

The Epicenter was created in 1999. Its activities are being funded by two ADAPT projects, one INTEGRA, and one EOMEH project. In this way can be maximized the benefits that arise from the dissemination of four different European projects and the support of local Chamber of Commerce. At the same time it is evident from its up to now activities that it can be an example of good practice that can be transferable to other areas that have the same characteristics as the island of Lesvos.
 

PRINCIPAL ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT UNIT

The aim of the unit is to support and develop the entrepreneurship of the members of Chamber of Commerce and primarily of young entrepreneurs.
By the term support and development of entrepreneurship we have in mind complete services that include assistance to businesses and young businessmen in order to develop and implement their business plan.

2. CENTER OF PROMOTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, TELE -EMPLOYMENT & E-COMMERCE

The aim is to demonstrate the capabilities that can offer new technology to businessmen and local communities and the development of tele-employment and e-commerce as an effective measure of raising the isolation that exists due to the "island nature" of Lesvos.
In order to achieve this target exists a tele-ecotechnic center in which there is free access to businessmen and any other person that is interested.

3. EMPLOYMENT OBSERVATORY

The aim of the employment observatory is on one hand the observation of developments in the local employment market (demand, supply, new specialties) and from the other hand the development of a database that can assist in the matching of employment demand and local employment force supply.

4. CENTER OF YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

The center of young entrepreneurs aims to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship as a solution to employment problems in an island such as Lesvos and to assist new ideas in all aspects so that they can be formulated in a solid business plan that could have viable chances of implementation.
 

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EPICENTER

The experience and the results of the so far activity of the Epicenter is significant with the following basic characteristics:

• Existence of an aggressive informative mechanism that supports, encourages and actively transfers information to remote areas, that is areas where information is too difficult to be transferred otherwise. (Local communities and villages)
   
• Existence of a mechanism that supports and leverages the development of the spirit of entrepreneurship.
   
• Development of an extensive networking mechanism.
   
• Existence of a mechanism of mobilizing local communities.
   
• Existence of a mechanism of technical support.
   

THE RESULTS ARE OBVIOUS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF LESVOS

• When the Epicenter is created there were four local women agricultural cooperatives where as now there are eleven active and four in the process of establishment.
   
• There have been several new small businesses that have been created or restructured.
   
• A lot of young unemployed persons have been assisted and counseled in the employment market orientation.
   
• A lot of new ideas have been incubated and some are in the process of formulation and others of implementation.
   
• There has been an extensive knowledge of the European tools of financing that has been transferred to local communities.
   
• For the first time information has been attempted to reach all the areas of the island.

Until now the statistics report over one thousand of interested men and women having contacted the Epicenter.
More than twenty open meetings know the areas of Lesvos.
An on going process of discussion with groups of interest people mainly women in most of the villages of Lesvos.

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