Study visit to Macedonian and Serbian social enterprises

On March 4th and 5th, as part of the cross-border project “Social Enterprises for Economic Development and Social Inclusion”, a study visit was carried out in Serbia and in our country, in which, in addition to the other participants, the participants of the Academy of Social Economy took part .

As part of the visit, the participants visited the social enterprise “Radanska Ruža doo” in Lebane, Serbia, where they were warmly welcomed by the employees with the opportunity to taste the products they prepare in the kitchen. The participants had the opportunity to see the kitchen where the products are produced, the manual processing of fruits and vegetables, and the preparation of the products on ordinary stoves in small pots. The participants heard testimonies of employees according to which each jar in that communal kitchen conveys the energy and dedication, care and attention of every single woman involved in the process.

After the visit to “Radanska Ruža”, the participants were on an organized tour with a local guide in Justinian Prima (Caricin Grad), an archaeological site located in the municipality of Lebane and classified as an immovable cultural treasure of exceptional importance.

The second day of the study visit was dedicated to the participants from the Academy. The group visited the property of Frosina Lazarevska in Staro Nagoricane, N. Macedonia. There, the participants have the opportunity to look at the rural landscape, to taste homemade pie and brandy, and to congratulate on the prize won – a tractor mower that will be used to maintain the property on which, together with the team, he grows organic fruits, vegetables and eggs. On this visit, the project partners together with the participants planted apricot, plum, pear, nectarine and pomegranate trees. The three partner organizations of this project received their own tree and wished the social enterprise many fruits and successes.

The participants of the Academy for Social Entrepreneurship were awarded certificates for successfully completed modules and consulting meetings with mentors. They were also given calendars, which were promotional material produced within the framework of this project. The calendar, over the 12 months, presents the 12 ideas for social enterprises of the participants, with a short description and a QR code for additional promotion of their work. Each month is marked by celebrating their mission to create better lives and stronger communities in the two neighboring countries.

The project “Social Enterprises for Economic Development and Social Inclusion” is financed by the European Union through the Department for Negotiation and Financing of Programs from EU funds of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia (IPA 2 program for cross-border cooperation Republic of Serbia-North Macedonia 2016-2020 ), and is implemented in partnership with the associations “ARNO” from North Macedonia, Optimist and Trag Foundation (coordinator) from the Republic of Serbia.