REGION

with the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre (Moravskoslezské inovační centrum, MSIC) and other institutions, we organize meetings with the representation of large companies, investors in the city and industrial zones to deal with their problems. We pay attention to small and mid-sized enterprise who are the backbone of the economy. Crucial activities of MSIC include customized service to owners of these companies, typically using the methods of mentoring, and based on the network of qualified and experienced entrepreneurs, managers, investors and researchers. In 2018 the testing operation of the Open Innovation Lab began in one of the buildings of MSIC as a unique project within the collaboration of local IT companies, Tieto included. The principal idea was to make use of the existing infrastructure, the open space building to create room where IT businesses, home and foreign experts, students and academics from universities will meet at highly specialized expert events. The Council of Ostrava is one of the founders of the crafts incubator Fajna Dilna (Fine Workshop). Anybody can come and try various crafts and hopefully learn more about running a business. The workshop provides consulting, including the preparation of a business plan, and making prototypes. They can also consult production procedures and technologies when creating the final product. We cooperate with schools to provide the best possible education; we support vocational training in crafts and

technical subjects, developing an interest in these topics in little children as young as kindergarten age or grammar school pupils. Our support of enterprise also involves the coordination of public transport stops: based on the requests of investors, we are negotiating the connections with the Traffic Company (Dopravní podnik) so that employee commute is smooth. You have the reputation of a dog protector and lover. Will you please recommend for our readers a nice trail for a walk or a hike with a dog? I enjoy walking in Komenského sady park and past the Ostravice river. The city has managed to completely transform the area thanks to projects granted from EU funds. It is now quite a busy attraction with a fancy atmosphere sought for by dog walkers like me, and cyclists too because there is a fine dedicated bikeway. The views of the river from suspension galleries provide almost a zen experience. There are places to have a picnic, to sunbathe, to workout. New trees, bushes, and flowers have been planted. Hardly any city has a shipyard in the very centre: this is where large crowds from the city and afar come to the Ostravice River Fiesta (Slavnosti řeky Ostravice). The changes made around the river and how it has opened to the people of Ostrava make me really happy. Thank you for the interview. - editorial -

Text: redakce Foto: archiv Statutární město Ostrava www.ostrava.cz

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