Vision Start is a cross-border project that helps blind and visually impaired young people in Estonia, Latvia, and Finland develop entrepreneurial skills and create their own business opportunities.
Many visually impaired people face barriers to employment and entrepreneurship due to limited access to training, networks, and support services. These challenges are even greater in smaller national markets, where opportunities for niche products and services can be limited.
The project brings together organisations representing visually impaired communities and entrepreneurship experts to provide accessible training, mentoring, and practical guidance. Participants will learn how to develop business ideas, use digital tools, create business plans, and access online markets. The programme focuses on realistic and achievable entrepreneurship opportunities, such as selling creative products, providing services, producing digital content, or developing small family businesses.
Through cross-border workshops, coaching, and networking activities, participants will connect with peers, mentors, and startup communities across the Central Baltic region. This international cooperation expands learning opportunities, creates valuable professional networks, and opens access to a wider regional market.
Vision Start will directly support 42 young participants and aims to increase entrepreneurial skills, confidence, and labour market readiness among blind and visually impaired people. By demonstrating that visual impairment is not a barrier to innovation, creativity, and business success, the project contributes to a more inclusive and accessible entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Central Baltic region.
Project manager at Haaga-Helia: Namrata Sethi
Project partners: Pärnu Association of the Blind (Estonia), Latvian Society of the Blind (Latvia), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
Duration: May 2026 – July 2028
