Craftspeople and home producers to have their own sales outlet in Auce

The number of registered unemployed people in Auce Municipality is 1.5 percentage points higher than in Zemgale as a whole. To promote the development of small businesses, Auce has begun identifying home producers and craftspeople in order to establish a shared sales outlet. 

Currently, only five home producers are registered with the association, but interest in the new opportunities is reportedly considerably greater. Many people in Auce can surprise others with both practical and beautiful items they have made themselves, yet only a few have officially registered their activities. For the most part, they call it a hobby. “I am not registered; at present I do many things—jewellery as well as felted items, crocheted items and knitted items,” says craftswoman Inguna Ivanovska. 

There are various reasons why a hobby has not become a source of additional income. The main reason is reportedly a lack of familiarity with accounting, as well as concerns about paying taxes. 

“Purchasing power is one factor too. You cannot produce enough to fill an entire house if the goods do not sell. They sell only as much as they sell,” says basket weaver Ilmārs Reimanis. Zaiga Vismane, head of the cultural education association “Ausma”, is also a true craftswoman; she came up with the idea of adding another branch to her association under which to bring home producers together. 

To ensure that the products made by home producers and craftspeople are seen by as many people as possible and find buyers, a permanent market is being established in Auce’s historic kiosk. 

“Of course, we cannot expect a large turnover. The person working there will be doing voluntary work. I have also headed the association for 11 years without receiving remuneration. It is a labour of love. We need to find out what interests buyers, because it is difficult to say at present. Of course, the sale of food there is restricted because there is no water; but I think it could work,” Vismane explains. 

The new premises belong to the municipality. To help launch a small business, they will reportedly be provided to the association for use free of charge for one year. Ilmārs Matvejs, head of the Auce Municipality Development Department, says: “If there is a positive response and everything goes ahead, we will certainly continue providing support, both with premises and by promoting awareness.” 

The permanent market for home producers and craftspeople is scheduled to open on Auce’s name day—4 March. At the same time, online sales are already being considered. The experience of other municipalities shows that creating a shared sales platform increases both the number of home producers and tourists’ interest.