Press releases

International social economy experts, representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, public authorities from the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine, social entrepreneurs met in Regional Social Entrepreneurship Conference: ‘Enterprising for tomorrow – Social Entrepreneurship & Youth ENgagement’, an event organised by Voi Buildings Foundation (ADV) Romaniain collaboration with 25 strategic partnersincluding Organisation for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium Enterprises (ODIMM).

The virtual dialogue covered several topics focusing on the issue of entrepreneurship and social economy, with details on the afine – the Alternative Finance Institution – the first non-bank funding institution dedicated to social enterprises this year, to be authorised in Romania. Data were also made public from the “Someter of Social Economy” carried out by the Romanian Voi Foundation, which makes a complete radiography of this area.

At the event, Director General ODIMM, Iulia Costin stressed that The Republic of Moldova has a clear vision of creating a favourable environment for the development of social entrepreneurship.

‘The organisation for the development of the sector of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure (MEI) and the development partners are at the stage of completion of a funding and mentoring programme for Social Enterprises. The new support instrument aims to support the development of more than 100 social enterprises, especially in rural areas, and to employ around 30 % of people in vulnerable social groups. The initiative has a well-determined social purpose and is part of a complex stage of developing the social economy and social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova that will have a beneficial impact on people, the environment and the community”.

MEI Secretary-General Lilia Palii, presented at the conference the vision of the Republic of Moldova and the steps taken in the segment of the development of social entrepreneurship, underlining the importance of developing the economy, social entrepreneurship and the contribution of this business model to the creation of a fairer society, in which ”Thirty is not left behind”.

“The government in Chisinau promotes policies for the development of social entrepreneurship as a useful tool for the socio-professional inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labour market, including as a resilience measure during this time of pandemic and the economic crisis through which humanity is going through. We believe that social enterprises can bring innovation solutions to the community that substantially contribute to improving the quality of life”, mentioned Lilia Palii.

The European conference “Enterprising for tomorrow – Social Entrepreneurship & Youth ENgagement” took place in a context in which the month of May is declared by law to promote the social economy. This month is dedicated to events and actions to raise coverage, with the aim of better understanding the concept but also encouraging social cooperation and solidarity. Currently, more than 2.8 million enterprises in the social economy operate in Europe, accounting for 10 % of EU affairs, according to the report “Recent developments in the Social Economy in the European Union” issued by CIRIEC-International.