On November 19th 2021, in a grand occasion with the presence of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy – Ms. Jagoda Shahpaska, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mr. Fatmir Bitiqi and the Head of the Cooperation Sector of the Delegation of the European Union – Mr. Stefan Hudolin, the National Social Enterprises Centre opened in Skopje.
The Social Enterprises Centre is an important part of the series of activities of the project “Support for Social Enterprises” funded by the European Union, to create favourable conditions for the development and support of social entrepreneurship as a way to strengthen local communities.
"I sincerely congratulate all of you who were involved in the opening of the Center. All institutions have shown cohesion and cooperation to create 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."
The Centre is designed to function as an incubator for support existing and new social enterprises and civil society organizations that have economic activities. Enterprises, organizations, initiatives and citizens will have at their disposal a wide range of services and activities, such as workshops for exchange of experience and knowledge, direct support for capacity building, formal and non-formal education and training, business training, mentoring, organization of events, and other services.
"I have the special honor to celebrate the opening of the first National Social Enterprises Centre, which will initiate the establishment of new enterprises and support existing ones, with a vision to help address key local challenges related to poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic issues related to the integration of vulnerable categories of citizens."
Users of the Centre (organizations, social enterprises, institutions and individuals), on a daily basis, will receive guidance, advice and assistance with practical questions and challenges, such as: fundraising, company registration, networking opportunities, business development, aspects for employment, procurement, building partnerships, available financial support, marketing and much more.
At the end of the event that marked the opening of the Center for Social Enterprises, the day was brightened by the singers from the first inclusive choir Trisomija 21 from Skopje
The role of municipalities in strengthening social enterprises is great. The Municipality of Aerodrom in Skopje and the Municipality of Nis, Serbia, jointly signed a memorandum of regional cooperation with social enterprises from Serbia and North Macedonia.
See the positive atmosphere at the opening of the Social Enterprises Centre:
