Social Business, a measure for economic and social recovery UNECE conference 24. 05. 2013. Dubrovnik Mirna Karzen, President, Social Innovation Laboratory (SIL)
The rule is there are no rules......for today s social entrepreneurs (It s a whole new kind of hybrid world that brings together the best of both the forprofit and nonprofit sectors. Jerr Boschee, Executive Director of The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs and Visiting Professor of the Practice in Social Enterprise at Carnegie Mellon University.
Key characteristics of social entrepreneurship primary social, environmental or community purpose, entrepreneurial and innovative way in which social entrepreneurs are striving for making a significant impact on society, economy and the environment.
There are all kinds of forms and models of social entrepreneurship and social
From Elderpreneurship... 31 May 2013 www.socinnovationlab.org 6
...and Mumpreneurship 31 May 2013 www.socinnovationlab.org 7
...to innovations in the business and financial sector The new financial instrument to improve social businesses' access to funding has been proposed as an action under the EU Programme on Social Change and Innovation 31 May 2013 www.socinnovationlab.org 8
Some statistics... In Croatia In EU
Social entrepreneurs in Croatia 10
Co2CUT
E-glas d.o.o. 12
NGO RODA 13
Humana Nova, a cooperative 14
Zlatna greda Eco touristic agency 15
Service-production cooperative NEOS 16
HUB Zagreb cooworking innovation 17
Achievements so far in Croatia In 2009 formed the Social Entrepreneurship Forum (SEFOR) Formed a working group for the preparation of the Strategy on Social Entrepreneurship, first meeting on May 23 Conducted an initial assessment of the state of social entrepreneurship in Croatia Support through training programmes, EU nad national funding, some investment support (CRANE, Erste and Zagreb banks, CEDRA) Annual awards for social entrepreneurs
Public policy key challenges MinPO (1) Measure 3.2.3. Fostering competitiveness, sustainable and inclusive growth of SMEs through enhanced support of equal opportunities in entrepreneurship with particular attention given to equal opportunities and social entrepreneurship. Measure 3.4.2. Strengthening advice, mentorship and training for business start up with special focus on lagging behind areas and all vulnerable groups which could be involved in entrepreneurship and in the area of technically intensive business undertakings (mentoring, training, networking).
Public policy key challenges MinPO (2) Measure 3.6.1. Strengthening entrepreneurial competences in SMEs through adequate training programmes for entrepreneurship (LLP, HR). Measure 3.6.2. Developing infrastructure for entrepreneurial learning (LLP, HR).
Policy recommendations Ensure greater visibility and promotion of social entrepreneurs and initiatives. Provide more supportive legal framework (SEs are in a no-man s land right now) - address not only the business environment for businesses driven by profit, but also those driven by a social and societal missions. Review and adjust EU rules on public procurement, state aid and financial market regulation (for example, current EU public procurement rules do not foresee the possibility of including selection criteria specific to social businesses). Ensure systematic investment into the capacity building and infrastructural support (support both to start ups, mature SEs and other forms of SEs and support organisations).
Policy recommendations (2) Help ensure that there is a real Single Market with a level playing field for all economic actors, including social businesses. Ensure better use of resources and expertise by scaling-up proven businesses and business models across the EU, establishing EU-wide platforms and networks of businesses, investors and providers of business development services. Increase and improve access to funding sources (ERDF, ESF, financial instruments, other) with a special emphasis on developing social investment funds and improving access to financial instruments.
Social, environmental and economic issues will never rest
SIL invites you to join us in promoting, mapping and supporting social innovation and social business in Croatia!
Contact: mirna.karzen@socinnovationlab.org www.socinnovationlab.org www.facebook.com/socinnovationlab Linked In: Social Innovation Laboratory Balkans