RISE Forum 2025: Youth, Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing

On 6 November 2025, Europe House Skopje hosted the closing of the regional RISE (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs) program in North Macedonia. Organized by the Local Branch Office of RYCO with support from ARNO, the Forum brought together institutional representatives, ambassadors, youth organizations, entrepreneurs, and long-term partners who have shaped the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Western Balkans over the past five years.

High-Level Opening

The Forum opened with remarks from Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjevski, Head of RYCO’s Local Branch Office in North Macedonia, followed by speeches from Mr. Fatmir Sabriu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth; H.E. Mr. Ben Nupnau, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation; H.E. Christophe Le Rigoleur, Ambassador of France; and H.E. Ms. Petra Drexler, Ambassador of Germany. All emphasized the transformative role of youth-led social enterprises in strengthening communities and the need for sustained institutional support.

Unexpected Announcement: (New) Law on Social Enterprises

During his address, Mr. Sabriu announced that a (new) Law on Social Enterprises was in preparation, a statement that immediately reached national media.  For ARNO, which has served as an Incubator for Social Enterprises for six consecutive years, the announcement came as a surprise, given the absence of prior consultation with key ecosystem actors. In the days that followed, ARNO initiated a series of ad-hoc meetings with partners to better understand the intent and direction of the proposed law. Drawing on years of ecosystem building — and with growing experience in impact-oriented finance — ARNO highlighted the value of evidence-based policymaking and alignment with contemporary European practice. 

Showcasing RISE Entrepreneurs and Regional Award

Amid policy developments, the Forum celebrated the tangible achievements of its young entrepreneurs. Moderated by Ms. Irina Janevska, President of ARNO, the session highlighted inspiring initiatives such as Yes for Less, promoting accessible sustainable living; Inclusive Voices, amplifying the experiences of people with visual impairments; and Kombo, a creative collective reimagining community and sustainability in Skopje’s neighborhoods.

The Forum’s highlight was the RISE Alumni Award, presented to the Kombo team from North Macedonia, who received €5,000 to expand their social business and strengthen their impact across the Western Balkans. The award demonstrated the power of sustained regional cooperation and the long-term potential of RISE alumni to drive positive change.

Introducing Impact Investing in North Macedonia

A key milestone of the Forum was the session “Light in the Dark: Impact Investing for Social Change”, featuring Ms. Irina Janevska. For the first time in North Macedonia, impact investing was presented as a practical tool for social change. Irina discussed how impact capital combines financial returns with measurable social and environmental benefits, explored global models adaptable to the local context, and emphasized the next phase of ecosystem development will rely on diverse financial instruments rather than donor dependency. The session drew strong interest from both institutions and the private sector, signaling growing readiness to embrace new approaches to financing social innovation.

Cooperation, Advocacy, and Technology

The panel “Cooperation and Advocacy for Development” featured Ms. Dobrinka Stefanova of ProCredit Bank, Ms. Biljana Stojceska of Youth Alliance Krushevo, and Mr. Saso Stanoevski of INOVA Agency. They discussed gaps from reduced EU support, the need for stable national frameworks, financing challenges, and opportunities for multi-sector partnerships, reinforcing the idea that a sustainable social economy requires coordinated effort and shared strategic vision.

The Forum concluded with “AI and Digitalization: How Can Social Entrepreneurship Benefit from It?”, delivered by Ms. Monika Rizovska Tanevska of Women in Tech – North Macedonia, moderated by Mr. Dejan Rizinski (RYCO). The discussion explored how technology can help social entrepreneurs scale impact, improve efficiency, and reach broader communities.

Moving Forward: Building on RISE

Although the RISE program officially concluded, the network it created remains active. Over five years, young entrepreneurs, mentors, incubators, and institutional partners across the Western Balkans have built a community that continues to exchange knowledge, support new ideas, and pursue shared goals. ARNO, the only Macedonian incubator in the network, will continue nurturing this momentum. Through Invest for Change, ARNO is creating a dedicated alumni community and initiating conversations around the country’s first impact fund. Meanwhile, the Y-Compass project is developing a comprehensive catalog of products and services from local social enterprises, designed to open new markets and increase visibility.