World social entrepreneurship day and RISE 5 Anniversary
On November 21, 2024, ARNO, a leading organization for supporting social entrepreneurship in the region, celebrated World Social Entrepreneurship Day and the fifth anniversary of the successful RISE program (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs) with a formal event at the Social Enterprises Center in Skopje. The event was attended by young social entrepreneurs, diplomats, national supporters, and regional partners.
The RISE program, together with its ten partners, has been supporting young people from the Western Balkans for 5 years who have ideas for businesses that do good for communities and the environment. In recent years, the RISE program has achieved impressive results: 508 young social entrepreneurs have been supported, 48 social businesses have been incubated, and through the mobility program, 43 teams had the opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation. At the national level, €20,000 was invested in prototyping Macedonian social business ideas: an outdoor kindergarten in Stip, an online eco-platform, inclusion through football, a gluten-free bakery, and more. These results show that social entrepreneurship in the region has great potential.
The event opened with speeches and commitments for social entrepreneurship from Fatmir Sabriu – State Secretary in the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth Issues, Philippe Marcheteau- First Counselor at the French Embassy, Kevin Mass – representative from the German Embassy, Vladimir Gjorgjevski from RIKO, Marko Gjorgievski from the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility, Ardita Jola from RIKO, and Chloe Lepage from RISE.
The panel, which included young entrepreneurs, had a unique format of a “Living Library,” where personal stories were shared by participants from the RISE program. The audience heard about the production of bio-leather from kombucha tea, the collection of orange peels for eco-refreshers, and a catering service run by three sisters from Negotino with a strong social mission.
“This anniversary is not just a celebration of five incredible years,” said Janevska from ARNO. “It is a promise to continue support. Social entrepreneurship is a movement, a global movement that is gaining more momentum. That’s why we celebrate it today, around the world. Listen to the stories of young social entrepreneurs, and you will realize that this is not just a trend; this is an investment in our shared future. Here, we have a present, with modest examples of success, but also an obligation to continue to motivate, educate, and help. All of us, not just ARNO. Together, united.”
The event also featured a pop-up exhibition of products and services developed by green and social enterprises from the program – medicinal mushrooms, social games made from repurposed materials, interactive donation games, and others.
The RISE program believes in the talent and innovation of young people from the Western Balkans and supports them in realizing their potential and leading changes in their communities. Through regional activities, the project contributes to promoting social entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans as a tool for economic inclusion, peacebuilding, and strengthening social ties within and between countries.
The RISE project is co-financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), and the Erasmus+ program of the European Union. RISE is led by a consortium composed of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), SOS Pulse Group, and the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), implemented by six local incubators – ARNO (Macedonia), Balkan Green Foundation (Kosovo)*, Nesto Vise (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Smart Collective (Serbia), IEC Technopolis (Montenegro), and Social Business YUNUS (Albania).
Social entrepreneurship drives global change, with estimates suggesting that there are 10-11 million social enterprises in Europe and up to 30 million entrepreneurs contributing around $2 trillion to global GDP (Schwab Foundation, 2024; British Council, 2022). Social entrepreneurs focus on solving critical social and environmental issues, offering solutions that directly contribute to communities while generating sustainable income. Although it has an increasing impact, the sector faces challenges, including limited access to funding, capacity building, and a skilled workforce. Social enterprises often rely on self-financing and struggle for visibility and support. Support from government programs, donors, and the media is crucial for encouraging growth and creating favorable conditions for the development of social entrepreneurship.