The project involved a comparative analysis of social enterprises in 12 countries of Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the aim to assess their existing employment generation potential. In addition to the comprehensive analysis of social enterprises in these regions, the project had a more in-depth focus on 3 countries: Poland, Serbia and Ukraine.
In this project framework, SeConS conducted research through focus groups and in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders and compiled a national report on the role of social enterprises in Serbia. The report was assessed as excellent in the Conference on Social Economy in Brussels.
The Bratislava Regional Centre of the United Nations Development Programme and the EMES European Research Network published the project outcome in a regional study (available at: link). According to the main findings, the post-socialist traditional development initiatives focused on the private sector or the state, while ignoring organizations which combine for-profit activities with social goals. The study presents a great number of ways to promote social entrepreneurship in transition countries, primarily through the legal and political framework which can be more stimulating. By launching advocacy initiatives involving decision makers and the public, by setting up agencies specialized in supporting social enterprises, as well as through other measures and activities – start-up capital or grants to sustain social enterprises would be ensured.