On September 24, we organized another National Fair of Social Enterprises in the country. The Fair of Social Enterprises, organized in cooperation with the Civica Mobilitas Program, was part of the Fair of Social Enterprises and Civic Organizations.
Thirty social enterprises and more than 70 civil society organizations presented their products, services and efforts to build an inclusive society.
The fair was opened by Alexander Krzhalovski, Director of MCIC, H.E. Veronique Ullmann, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to North Macedonia, H.E. David Gere, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia, Fatmir Bytyqi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs, Coordination of Economic Portfolios and Investments, and Barbara Sadowska, Team Leader of the Project “Support to Social Enterprises”.
“This Festival celebrates civil society and its contribution to society and citizens,” said the Ambassador of Switzerland in the country, H.E. Véronique Ullmann, at the official opening of the Day of CSOs and Social Enterprises held on 24 September 2022 in front of the Army House, behind the memorial house of Mother Teresa in Skopje. “A strong, diverse and dynamic civil society is an important dimension for functional democracy,” she added. For Ambassador Hulman, there are still challenges and core values are under pressure. “Polarization among citizens, risks of corruption, inefficient use of resources, discrimination, poverty, energy crisis and climate change present serious challenges. In such turbulent times, the role of civil society becomes even more important not only in providing services to people, but also in helping policymakers find solutions to current and coming problems”, she said.
“Social entrepreneurship is in its infancy. The foundations have been established, the strategy has been adopted, the draft law has been prepared. So now it’s time to move forward. The European Union is already helping, and we are ready to do more. We helped the adoption of the National Strategy and the draft law, the establishment of the support centers, including this one in Skopje. We are ready to provide funds and consultations and continue to support social enterprises”, said H.E. David Gere, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia.
“Let’s not forget solidarity, at least not during this crisis. All companies should see an example in all these social enterprises. Generating big profits on the backs of our fellow citizens is not solidarity and it will be reflected on future generations. This Government has recognized the potential and the need for social entrepreneurship, and our policies are oriented towards the integration of the this type of entrepreneurship into the economy”, said Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi, Deputy President of the Government in charge of Economic Affairs and Coordination of Economic Portfolios and Investments.
“I see great progress and great interest among civil society organizations, but I also see openness of institutions and private companies….Social entrepreneurship is an audit of the economic system, and together with the Center we create an ecosystem supporting the development of social entrepreneurship”, said Barbara Sadowska, team leader of the “Support of social enterprises” project.
Within the framework of the Fair of Social Enterprises and Civic Organizations, we organized public procurement training for mayors from North Macedonia and mayors from EU member states. The Public Procurement Law provides opportunities to support social enterprises at the local level.
Also as part of the Fair, and as part of the efforts to support and develop social enterprises, a pitching session was held at the Centre for Social Enterprises – where the social enterprises Brand Solutions, Association for Assistance to the Disabled and the Poor, Cafe bar O2, IN VIVO, Hotel Daljan, Association of Independent Artists – Future of the Tradition and Challenger presented their business ideas to 13 companies which were potential investors.
