Piloting Social Enterprise in Macedonia

Funded by:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Overview:

Currently there are extremely few social enterprises in Macedonia and most NGOs rely on ad hoc short term project funding; lacking strategies for diversifying and stabilising their income stream. NGOs are also generally unaware of training opportunities related to EU funding.

These factors have created the environment for Euclid Network to launch this project to facilitate the development and implementation of the concept of social enterprise in the region with partners CIRa (centre for institutional development), and with the support of the British Embassy in Macedonia and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The first masterclass for the project "Development of Local Communities by Using Sustainable Funding Instruments and IPA Mechanisms" was held in Ohrid, on the 25th-27th February, andbrought together experienced professionals for a number selected Civil Society Organisations.

Main Activities of the Project:

1. Assessment of the legal framework for social enterprise;
2. Defining a model of social enterprise in Macedonia;
3. Roundtable for NGO leaders and other stakeholders to formulate an agenda for advocacy and lobby government;
4. Create a network of NGOs for lobbying legislative change to ensure financial sustainability;
5. Deliver seminars to NGOs on sustainable funding and EU funding mechanisms.
6. Supporting applications for community based projects to be submitted under IPA;
7. Provide coaching for any such application;
8. Launch a new website for online resources;
9. Publish a tailored handbook on financial sustainability, EU funding, financial management and Case studies.

The expected result of the project is an increase in the number and quality of social enterprise in Macedonia; increased financial sustainability in Macedonian NGOs; and greater knowledge about, and demand for, training on EU funding.

Project Partners

CIRa (Centre for Institutional Development)

Contact:

Luisa: luisa.deamicis@euclidnetwork.eu