In today’s rapidly changing world, social entrepreneurship and social innovation have emerged as powerful forcees for positive transformation. Recognizing their significance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund, has taken a significant step by establishing specialized support environments for social enterprises. Exciting developments are underway as informative centers open their doors in Kranj, Ljubljana, Koper, Novo Gorica, Celje, Gornja Radgona, and Slovenj Gradec. In teh below blog post we explore how these initiatives are shaping the landscape of social entrepreneurship in Slovenia.
Empowering Social Enterprises:
Through the public call for Strengthening the Support Environment for Social Enterprises, the Ministry has allocated almost €418,220 to two projects. In the Eastern Slovenia cohesion region, project activities will be led by the Development Agency of the Savinja Region, while the Western Slovenia cohesion region will see Business Support Centre (BSC) Kranj take the helm. Associated partners in both regions will ensure service access in all twelve statistical regions, tailoring their offerings to the specific needs of local and regional contexts.
Creating a Supportive Ecosystem:
The specialized support environment aims to provide new and existing social enterprises in each cohesion region with free services for development and professionalization. Moreover, it will foster a culture of social entrepreneurship, enabling partnerships for the promotion and development of social enterprises and social innovations at the local and regional levels. The need for such a specialized support environment has been reinforced by the Applicative Analysis of Social Economy in the Republic of Slovenia and an in-depth review of policies for promoting social entrepreneurship and the development of social enterprises in Slovenia conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Furthermore, the recently published Action Plan for Social Economy by the European Commission emphasizes the importance of fostering a specialized ecosystem to facilitate the growth of social economy and social innovations.
sPOINT Project: Nurturing Social Entrepreneurship:
As of April 1, 2022, the sPOINT project – Social Entrepreneurship Information Point – has been implemented as part of the Strengthening the Support Environment for Social Enterprises initiative. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, and Sports, and with funding from the European Regional Development Fund, project partners (the Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska – BSC Kranj, Središče Rotunda, Koper, and the Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region, along with five associated partners) have established four specialized information points for social enterprises in the Western Slovenia cohesion region.
Driving Growth and Collaboration:
As of April 1, 2022, the sPOINT project – Social Entrepreneurship Information Point – has been implemented as part of the Strengthening the Support Environment for Social Enterprises initiative. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, and Sports, and with funding from the European Regional Development Fund, project partners (the Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska – BSC Kranj, Središče Rotunda, Koper, and the Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region, along with five associated partners) have established four specialized information points for social enterprises in the Western Slovenia cohesion region.
The Social Entrepreneurship Fair:
On Friday, May 26, 2023, the heart of Ljubljana’s Stritarjeva Street came alive with the Social Entrepreneurship Fair. This exciting event delighted visitors and passers-by alike as various social enterprises showcased their products and services.
Organized by the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) as part of the sPOINT project, the fair aimed to promote the offerings of social enterprises and present successful examples of social entrepreneurship in Western Slovenia. The event received financial support from the Republic of Slovenia, specifically the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, and Sports, and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
Mayor Zoran Janković, representing the City Municipality of Ljubljana, inaugurated the fair by expressing his support for social enterprises. The participating registered social enterprises prioritize social responsibility and the well-being of all individuals. Visitors embraced the unique products and engaging activities offered by social enterprises. Additionally, the fair featured workshops for children and seniors, puppet shows, and exercises led by kinesiologists.
Promoting Social Responsibility and Social Innovation:
The Social Entrepreneurship Fair aims to foster social enterprises that prioritize social responsibility and social innovation. Mag. Lilijana Madjar, Director of RRA LUR, emphasized the significance of promoting social entrepreneurship, showcasing 14 social enterprises from the Western cohesion region. Director Rok Šimenc of the Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska (BSC Kranj) stressed the importance of collaboration among social enterprises rather than competition, as well as the event’s role in helping these enterprises enter the market. Dr. Jernej Štromajer from the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, and Sports expressed gratitude to all those involved in social entrepreneurship, recognizing its potential for social and environmental impact.
As Slovenia forges ahead in fostering social entrepreneurship and social innovation, the establishment of specialized support environments and the creation of an enabling ecosystem mark significant milestones. The ongoing sPOINT project and the impactful Social Entrepreneurship Fair exemplify the commitment of various stakeholders to empower social enterprises, drive economic growth, and tackle social and environmental challenges. With dedicated support and collaborative efforts, social entrepreneurship is poised to shape a better future for Slovenia and beyond.
Sources:
- also with the support of CHAT GPT
