1. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Social entrepreneurship and employment of persons with disabilities Marina Veljača Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Skopje, travanj 2015.

2. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje The Guidelines for the development and implementation of active labour market policy in the Republic of Croatia for the period from 2015 – 2017 is the main document setting the priorities, targets and activities of ALMP implemented by Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje (HZZ) The priorities and targets set in the Guidelines are based on the labour market analysis and relevant strategic documents (Europe 2020 Strategy, National Reform Program, European Comission Specific Recommendations, etc.) as follows;   To increase the employment rate of hard-to-place persons   To improve competitiveness   To increase work-force mobility   To balance labour market supply and demand Introduction

3. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje In order to increase the employability of hard–to–place persons, HZZ is implementing the following ALMP interventions: Employment/self-employment/training subsidies Public works Training/Occupational training without commencing employment Job preservation subsidies Services providing individual counselling, employment preparation activities, psychological competence assessment and counselling The interventions are grouped into packages according to the specific characteristics of individual groups of unemployed (youth, long-term unemployed, older persons, persons with disabilities, specific groups of unemployed, employers experiencing restructuring/difficulties) ALMP interventions

4. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje At the end of 2014 - 6.783 persons with disabilities were registered as unemployed 1.877 registered persons with disabilities were employed in 2014 – the best result over the last 10 years 1.106 persons with disabilities were included in ALMP mesures, which is the increase by 2.79% when compared to the previous year most persons with disabilities were included in public works (596), employment subsidies (203) and occupational training without commencing employment (122) The employment of persons with disabilities in 2014

5. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Public works and employment subsidies are most widely used measures when it comes to employment of persons with disabilities Public works programs have been transformed over the last few years in order to better suit the needs of specific groups of unemployed – diversified programs, tailor-made approach, promoting NGOs as well as social entrepreneurship The specific public works program aimed at promoting employment of hard-to place persons in social enterprises has been designed but social enterprises/cooperatives can use other public works programs, as well as other ALMP measures to employ persons who are in an unfavourable position in the labour market ALMP measures targeting persons with disabilities

6. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Strategy for the development of social entrepreneurship 2015 – 2020 is currently being prepared and will be adopted by the Government soon The general target of the strategy is to establish stimulating environment for the promotion and development of social entrepreneurship in order to reduce regional disparities and increase the employment rate The specific targets are setting the legislative and institutional framework for the development of social entrepreneurship, setting the financial framework, promoting social entrepreneurship through formal and informal training and increasing visibility and promotion of social entrepreneurship Social entrepreneurship – national context

7. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Social enterprises and social cooperatives play crucial role in the employment of hard-to-place unemployed persons on the regional level HZZ regional/local offices provide relevant information, selection services for employers, help identify target groups for specific measures and administer the implementation and monitoring of each ALMP program - HZZ regional/local offices provide relevant information, selection services for employers, help identify target groups for specific measures and administer the implementation and monitoring of each ALMP program - a good example of cooperation of HZZ regional/local offices with relevant institutions and employers on the local level Social enterprises/cooperatives provide a working and learning environment for persons with disabilities which increases their chances for permanent employment, for example – social enterprise Hedona in Koprivničko- Križevačka County producing various chocolate hand-made products was one of the first examples of a social enterprise established in order to employ persons with disabilities. All of the persons employed within ALMP programs are still working in this enterpise and the employer reports that they are extremely motivated and good workers. Social enterprises/cooperatives provide a working and learning environment for persons with disabilities which increases their chances for permanent employment, for example – social enterprise Hedona in Koprivničko- Križevačka County producing various chocolate hand-made products was one of the first examples of a social enterprise established in order to employ persons with disabilities. All of the persons employed within ALMP programs are still working in this enterpise and the employer reports that they are extremely motivated and good workers. Social entrepreneurship – regional context

8. Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje Legislation is still lacking, but in reality social entrepreneurship is functioning Active labour market policy measures are the efficient tool for the employment of persons with disabilities in social entreprises and social cooperatives Temporary employment of persons with disabilities in social entreprises/cooperatives provides an opportunity for them to work, learn and acquire competences which will help them gain permanent employment after the completion of ALMP program The measures are cost-effective because part of the cost of the partcipants‘ salary returns to the state budget, which is not the case when it comes to social benefits Social entrepreneurship is a good example of cooperation of all local stakeholders in employment of persons with disabilities as well as promotion of programs which are usefull for the local community Conclusion

9. HRVATSKI ZAVOD ZA ZAPOŠLJAVANJE Radnička cesta 1 10000 Zagreb +385-1-6126-000 +385-1-6126-038 hzz@hzz.hr *** www.hzz.hr hzz@hzz.hrwww.hzz.hr THANK YOU!