What is a Social Enterprise?

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Social entrepreneurship is a particular form of entrepreneurship that is part of a wider idea of Social Economy. Social economy is a broad concept set around four types of organizations that we recognize nowadays: co-operatives; mutual societies; associations and foundations and social enterprises (Arpinte et al, 2010; European Commission, Enterprise and Industry: Social Economy, 2011).

Social Enterprise is a new model of business with a social goal that is still not treated as such in the Macedonian economy but it is widely practiced around the World. Established entities are recognizing business opportunities, involve target groups in their work and provide them support, run commercial activities to gain profit that is later on reinvested in the social enterprise and/or used for financing programs such as environmental, social, economic, technological etc. They are mass recruiters of local people, providers of fair products and services at below market prices and driving force for local economic development. Although they are not limited by industry, their work is mainly focused on the following areas:

  • Work integration (training and integration of unemployed persons);
  • Personal services (e.g. childcare services, services for elderly people, 'proximity' services, aid for disadvantaged people) and
  • Local development of disadvantaged areas (e.g. social enterprises in remote rural areas, neighborhood development/rehabilitations schemes in urban areas)

European Commission approximates that there are near 2 million social enterprises in Europe that are employing around 11 million people.

The practices are showing that social enterprises can be established under various legal forms: as limited liability companies, protected companies but the most favorable legal structure in the Macedonian economy are Associations (see the Study about the potential for development of social enterprises in Macedonia at the Resource section). Based on the new Law on Associations and Foundations (2010), these organizations have the opportunity to run commercial activities that will be treated as non-profit if the profit earned is used for the purpose of the Status of the organization.

Social Entrepreneurs are persons motivated to find solutions to most pressing social problems by using the business as tool to seize the market opportunities and change society for the better. Their work relies on the principles of ethics, fairness, participation, involvement of other change makers and replication of positive examples that foster community growth.

News

Published first study in Macedonia about social enterprises

CIRa in partnership with Euclid Network has published the first study in Macedonia about social enterprises named as “Development and implementation of the social enterprise concept in Macedonia: A Study about the potential for further promotion of the Social Enterprise as innovative business model with social aims in the Macedonian Economy. (2011)

Click on the image to download the Study

Developed 3 projects for establishing social enterprises in Macedonia

3 projects for establishing social enterprises have been drafted on the Workshop for preparation of IPA applications that was held on 9th of March, 2011 at the premises of CIRa. After the workshop, each group under the mentorship of CIRa staff continued working on preparation of full IPA applications.

For more information about the projects developed by the working groups please check the Project part under the SE Network button.

25 Representatives from CSOs in Macedonia have learnt how to establish Social Enterprise

During 3 days training, from 25 to 27 February, 2011, 25 representatives from civil society organizations from Macedonia have participated on Master classes’ series and Workshops named as “Development of local communities by using sustainable funding instruments and IPA mechanisms”.

Training was delivered by:

  • Cliff Southcombe (UK), Managing Director of Social Enterprise/ Social Enterprise Europe Ltd and Board Member of Euclid Network
  • Ben Rattenbury, Programmes Manager, Euclid Network-the European Network of Civil Society Professionals, UK
  • Zoran Stojkovski, Executive Director of CIRa
  • Katerina Zajc, Development Manager in CIRa

For more information about the topics covered within the training, please see the Agenda and Press release send to media.

If you are willing to see the atmosphere from the training please go to Gallery.

Legal framework in Macedonia offers basic conditions for establishing social enterprises

65 representatives from governmental institutions, civil society organizations, municipalities and business associations have participated on the Round table named as “Social Enterprising in Macedonia -opportunities and challenges” that was organized on February 4, 2011 at the premises of EU Info Center, Skopje.

For more information see the Agenda and the Conclusions from the discussions.

Disclaimer: This website is result of a joint cooperation project “Piloting Social Enterprising Concept in Macedonia” implemented by the Center for Institutional Development and Euclid Network funded by the British Embassy in Skopje. All information shared belongs to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center for Institutional Development, Euclid Network, and British Embassy in Skopje or the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.