Opened first National Center for Support of Social Enterprises North Macedonija

At today's opening of the first National Center for Support of Social Enterprises, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jagoda Shahpaska said that the Center will provide systematic support to new and existing social enterprises, because they are key in addressing local challenges related to poverty. unemployment and other socio-economic issues related to the integration of vulnerable groups of citizens. The National Center will enable all those interested to receive education, counseling, training, as well as financial support.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, with the support of the Government, provided the space, which with EU funds was arranged in a place that supports social inclusion, integration, development of the social economy and social entrepreneurship in the country. Minister Shahpaska informed that the opening of the National Center, as well as the promotion of the concept of social entrepreneurship is very important for the development of social enterprises in our country.

"The key role of social enterprises is to provide rehabilitation and reintegration into the labor market, a secure and stable future for the hard-working, the socially at-risk, the former addicts, those who have previously been in conflict with the law and people with disabilities." All these vulnerable citizens, through social enterprises, get a chance to join the community, earn a living and contribute to the development of the local, but also the national economy. Therefore, measures and solutions are needed that will improve the conditions for their work and will create direct and indirect benefits for the Macedonian society. "This means changes in the legislation, state programs for material support and selection of a model for their organization," said Minister Shahpaska.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Fatmir Bitiqi, emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Northern Macedonia is committed to creating a solidarity society for all. He informed that through the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development, this year for the first time is provided financial support of 6 million denars for the implementation of projects for social entrepreneurship. 69 applications have been received in the public call, and FITR can support up to 90% of the total project budget.

"Social entrepreneurship is nothing less than the future of entrepreneurship as a form in which we will increasingly witness businesses that, in addition to generating profit, also create positive changes in society. At the same time, they will carry social-democratic values in their daily work. This Government has recognized the potential and need for social entrepreneurship, our policies are oriented towards its integration into the economy. That is why, on September 28 this year, the National Strategy for Social Enterprises was adopted, with which we created an official platform, as a tool that will help us monitor the development of social entrepreneurship in the country, "said Bytyqi. Government activities that stimulate social entrepreneurship.

The Head of the Cooperation Sector of the Delegation of the European Union, Stephen Hudolin, congratulated all those involved in the opening of the center.

"All institutions have shown cohesion and co-operation to provide working conditions and reduce inequality. Our social economy is essentially a humane economy that protects us from great life risks, diseases, accidents and poverty. This center creates opportunities for growth, development and support of social enterprises in Northern Macedonia. "Stefan Hudolin, responsible for cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Northern Macedonia

The team leader of the project "Support to Social Enterprises" Barbara Sadovska, is convinced that the National Center for Support of Social Enterprises will work successfully.

"We need social entrepreneurship and social enterprises to be part of urban development, the development of local communities, part of social innovation, culture and religion. "I believe that together with the legislation on social enterprises and this regional support center that we are opening today, it will be easier for social enterprises to continue their work," said Sadovska.

The new legal solution for social enterprises, which is expected to be adopted next year, will regulate the criteria for acquiring the status of social enterprise, registration, tax treatment, monitoring, etc. A label for products and services of social enterprises will also be provided. Creating a culture of social entrepreneurship and facilitating access to markets is also important for the development of social enterprises. Today is the first national fair in Skopje. Regional fairs for social enterprises are currently being organized in other cities across the country. The National Center for Social Enterprises will provide its support and development of social enterprises together with the 8 regional support points recently established in Skopje, Veles, Stip, Tetovo, Strumica, Ohrid, Bitola and Kumanovo.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy is responsible for the process of support and development of social enterprises, with the involvement of all stakeholders and significant expert support from the EU through the project "Support to Social Enterprises".