Cross-border cooperation: Call for participation in the Academy of social economy
ARNO announces a CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL ECONOMY for existing and future social enterprises operating in the Skopje and North-East regions of North Macedonia and the Pcinja and Jablanica region in Serbia.
The program of the Academy of Social Economy is aimed at providing support to social enterprises in Serbia and North Macedonia through training, mentoring, financial support and networking, while fostering cross-border cooperation between the two countries. The program is implemented in partnership with the associations “ARNO” from North Macedonia, Optimist from the Republic of Serbia and Trag Foundation (coordinator) and is implemented within the framework of the project SEEDS of inclusiveness-Social Enterprises for Economic Development and Social Inclusion , financed by the European Union(IPA 2 program for cross-border cooperation Republic of Serbia – North Macedonia 2016-2020); through the Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes within the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia.
The program is intended for existing and future social enterprises (registered or in the process of establishment). Within the program will be selected up to 12 social enterprises (up to 4 established and up to 8 in the initial stage of development or establishment) that work responsibly and aim to achieve social or environmental impacts. A condition for applying to the program is that they work in the Pcinja and Jablanica region in Serbia and the Skopje and Northeastern region in North Macedonia. (Republic of Serbia: Pcinja region (Vranje, Vladicin Han, Surdulica, Bosilegrad, Trgoviste, Bujanovac, Presevo) and Jablanica region (Leskovac, Vlasotince, Lebane, Bojnik, Medvedja, Crna Trava). Republic of North Macedonia: Northeast region (Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Rankovce and Staro Nagoricane) and Skopje region (Skopje, Aracinovo, Ilinden, Petrovec, Sopiste, Studenicani, Zelenikovo, Cucer-Sandevo).
For the selected social enterprises will be available the following types of support:
● Group training includes up to three modules of interactive workshops with consultants and experienced social entrepreneurs that will be organized for two groups: one group consists of up to 4 developed social enterprises and the other a group of up to 8 social enterprises and/or ideas in the initial stage of development.
● Mentoring (individual) support from consultants and solidarity entrepreneurs in order to improve the business in the areas which, through needs mapping analysis, prove to be crucial for the further growth and development of each solidarity enterprise. The mentoring support will be implemented from October 2022 to March 2023;
● Awards purchase of equipment, tools and services: entrepreneurial ideas with the greatest potential for further development will be able to apply for support in purchasing equipment, production materials, products and services they need for further development within the program, after completing the training. In total, up to 5 awards in equipment and services with a total value of 15,000 euros will be awarded, with individual donations ranging in value from 2,000 for entrepreneurial ideas in development to 5,000 euros for developed enterprises. The implementation of this activity will begin in January 2023.
● Promotion and networking: social enterprises will have the opportunity, through training and organizing three business forums and/or exhibition fairs, to present their products and services to the general public from Serbia and North Macedonia and to develop cooperation with other enterprises. Also, these events will serve to connect local, regional and cross-border social economy actors and open space for potential partnerships, networking and exchange of ideas on how local approaches and solutions can be applied in other local communities. From October 2022 to March 2023.
In order to apply, it is necessary to completely fill out the form and the declaration for applicants and send it to arno.mkd@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting the application is 10.10.2022 by midnight (11:59 p.m.).
You can find the full call here (Macedonian and Albanian version)