The first Regional Fair of Social Enterprises from the South-East Planning Region was held

On 01.12.2021 in Strumica was held the first Regional Fair of Social Enterprises from the South-East Planning Region organized by the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region supported by the project “Support to Social Entrepreneurship” which is financially supported by the European Union.

The fair was officially opened by Mr. Julieta Gjurkova, Director of the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region. “At this moment, social entrepreneurship as a concept is still new in our country, but we are ready to open our hearts and minds to learn new opportunities” – said Mr. Gjurkova.

Municipality of Strumica, Mr. Kosta Kostadinov, who gave a brief overview of the importance of the connection between local self-government and social enterprises, while the idea and beginnings of the project were discussed by the Team Leader of the project “Support to Social Entrepreneurship”, Mr. Barbara Sadovska from Poland. They say that in order to cross the path of success, listen to the stories of successful people.

Guided by that motto, the fair presented the beginnings of the three most successful social enterprises in the region for the development of their social mission, and all that they have achieved to date.

At the end of the fair, a panel discussion was organized to discuss the opportunities for sustainability and growth of regional social enterprises, by providing financial, mentoring and other support from various funds. While through the exhibition stands of about twenty potential social enterprises and NGOs from the South-East Planning Region, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy and get acquainted with the social mission, entrepreneurial ideas, their potentials and the possibility of future cooperation.