Within the frame of the “Support to social enterprises” project, the Centre for development of the South-East planning region was chosen for Local point for support of social enterprises. The social entrepreneurship in North Macedonia is in a starting stadium of development, but the existing social enterprises demonstrate that we have potential for growth and development of this concept too. Specifically for these reasons, in the upcoming period is predicted the enactment of special legal framework considering social entrepreneurship.
What is social entrepreneurship?
Social entrepreneurship is the performance of economic activities under certain working and employment conditions of mainly marginalized populations. The social enterprise is a new model of business with a social purpose, which is not regarded (enough) in the Macedonian economy yet, but is practiced all around the world. The social enterprises operate in two directions:
• Providing goods and services for the marginalized and undeveloped communities;
• Employing individuals from vulnerable populations.
It is great honor that with this project the Centre for development of the South-East planning region from now on will act as a Regional Social point for support of social enterprises in the South-East planning region by offering them quality technical support, professional support in order to provide employment of vulnerable populations and will constantly informed them in a timely manner about the specific financial and technical support available for the potential social enterprises.
The aim of the Social Regional Point is to support long-term and sustainable employment and business opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized groups and will provide a range of services such as knowledge transfer, capacity-building, education and training, business coaching, organisation of events, sharing of office space or equipment. The Regional Social Point will identify needs, develop and promote new services, and will offer further support to establishing the eco-system for Social enterprises development, by facilitating adjustments to the policy and legal framework
Results of the project:
- Organized at least 4 information sessions (online/offline) at secondary schools, including vocational schools and youth NGOs and youth clubs;
- Organized 2 local fairs highlighting local social enterprises;
- Provided information and advice to visitors on social entrepreneurship related issues;
- Facilitate establishment of partnerships between local stakeholders (municipalities, NGOs / social enterprises, private businesses);
- Support the establishment of potential social enterprises (for the purpose of common understanding, the basic criteria for the establishment of social enterprises will be shared with all regional support points, in later project stages)
- Carry out other type of trainings and information sessions to the interested parties
- Supply general information that will be used for the promotional purposes of the project.