Social entrepreneurship new partnerships as a solution for social inclusion of vulnerable groups Gordan Velev, Group 484 Case: Serbia

Content In this presentation we will talk about: 1.Where and Why social entrepreneurship started in Serbia 2.When did it begin? 3.Who are the most important stakeholders currently? 4.How and what are they doing? 5.What is the current legislative framework? 6.Trough the case studies we will show what is the link between social enterprises, social inclusion and partnerships Hopefully, it will take us 10 minutes

Social enterprises

More typology

Where and Why? History Socialistic past of Serbia (part of ex- Yugoslavia) The period of disintegration of economical system and the system of social policy ( ) Protected workshops for disabled persons after WWII connected to big industrial systems Other vulnerable groups not-recognized Passive social and employment policies

Where and Why? Recent history Weak communication between different institutions (primarily employment sector, education and social policy) CSOs: development of civil society, anti-war activities, development of democratic institutions and the like – until 2000 CSO as service providers: response to humanitarian crisis Non for profit sector agenda – driven by international donors Institutional framework: not-existing Start of the EU-oriented agenda

When? In last 4-5 years both civil sector and the government started thinking about integrated approach in the field of social economy Increased interest in social economy (2006): Role of Social Enterprises in Employment Generation in CEE and CIS – National Study in Serbia, SeConS, UNDP, Belgrade, 2006 The mapping showed that under the EMES criteria, there are 1158 possible social enterprises in Serbia

Who? Public institutions: SIPRU Team (Cabinet of vise prime minister), Ministry for economy and regional development, Ministry for Labor and Social Policy, National employment service International agencies and foundations: UNDP, IOM, ILO, UniCredit Foundation, ERSTE Foundation Domestic organizations and foundations: European Movement, SMART Kolektiv, BCIF, IDC, Group 484, etc… Business sector: NALED, Global Compact Forum, Business Leadership Forum, Erste Bank, Chamber of Commerce Serbia, etc… It is of enormous importance to have structured, continues efforts and partnerships both between all the stakeholders and between and within the governmental institutions

What? Social enterprises can be defined as "organisations with an explicit aim to benefit the community, initiated by a group of citizens and in which the material interest of capital investors is subject to limits. They place a high value on their independence and on economic risk-taking related to ongoing socio-economic activity." Type A – Social enterprises delivering social, health and educational services (generally the workers are social or health workers and professionals); Type B - Social enterprises producing goods and services different from social ones – agricultural, industrial, commercial or other services activities – for private customers or for public agencies, with the objective of achieving the work integration of disadvantaged people - legally fixed minimum of 30% of the workers/members

How and what? Public institutions: Creation of legislative framework, establishment of financing opportunities, outsourcing of services, PPP International agencies and foundations: Support of pilot projects, advocacy, policy Domestic organizations and foundations: Implementation of projects, advocacy, policy, establishment of networks, promotion of the concept Business sector: Enrolment of SE in the distribution chains, CSR, PPP Key words: legislative framework, public private partnerships, social economy, social enterprises, fund for development of social enterprises

Legislative framework No specific Law covering the field of social economy Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities, May 13th 2009: The term “social enterprises” used for the first time in Serbian legislative system (article 45), “social enterprise is a business association established for providing services directed towards fulfilling the needs of people with disabilities, and which employ at least one person with disability”. Draft Law on Social Protection, to be adopted in 2011: private sector providers in the field of social welfare (transformation of CSOs working in the field of service provision). Draft Law on medical protection and the strategy for primary medical protection: (Much greater scale of prevention opens room for economic involvement) New Law on Civic Association from providing (very limited) opportunity for CSOs to engage in economic activities. Draft Law on Cooperatives, to be adopted at beginning of 2011 (old one is from 1996): unofficial information - concept “social cooperatives” included in the text. Draft Law on Microfinance: currently under discussion, expected to be adopted by the end of 2010.

Good practices: Association of paraplegic and quadriplegic

Good practices: Eco-social cooperative Eco-Bag

Good practices: Production shop Bioideja

Good practices: Association for support of disabled children Our Home

Thank you for your attention!!!