Skopje, 13 September 2023 (MIA) - Social entrepreneurship is a value that can benefit everyone, and encourage socio-economic development across the entire region. It can help solve some of the biggest challenges and unfulfilled social needs people face, including homelessness, unemployment and social exclusion, but also solve and even overcome environmental issues, said Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi.

Deputy PM Bytyqi participated on Wednesday at the opening of the second Regional Social Entrepreneurship Forum organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO, and addressed a session on the current situation in the Western Balkans in terms of socio-economic development. 

"Entrepreneurship with developed social functions and goals should also be recognized as a source for sustainable economic growth, because it contains innovative approaches and potentials to discover new market segments, create new jobs and encourage local economic activity. As we take the EU integration path, it is of vital importance to strengthen communities through developing social entrepreneurship as a model for inclusive growth, incorporating and engaging the most vulnerable and marginalized groups including their economic participation and success," Bytyqi said.

He stressed that Western Balkan countries create and implement a number of national policies for developing social entrepreneurship, in order to support socio-economic development.

"The growing network of associations, foundations and civil society organizations that support social entrepreneurs and care for people with fewer opportunities is encouraging," said Bytyqi.

He said that Western Balkan countries should strengthen regional cooperation so that social entrepreneurs can share knowledge and resources.

"We need to improve the competitiveness of social enterprises, so they can compete outside national markets. But we should also take advantage of the opportunities that digitization brings for the continuous creation of new and innovative social enterprises. This will not only make us more attractive partners for the EU, but will strengthen our collective regional resilience and competitiveness in the global market arena," Bytyqi pointed out. 

In supporting social entrepreneurship, he added, the Western Balkan countries should use their transformative power to speed up their path to EU membership while improving the well-being of their citizens and communities.

"The Government will continue to work actively to support social entrepreneurship from a regional perspective as well, because only together we can create a fairer and more just future for all citizens of the Western Balkan countries," Bytyqi said.  

RYCO Secretary General, Albert Hani, urged the 50 young entrepreneurs attending the forum to remain brave and work on their ideas for overcoming social issues.

"Try to receive support from RYCO, governments and donors who may see it as an opportunity. You are essentially creating a new culture of giving, philanthropy, and actually create something new in society and the world. You give democracy and freedom a new meaning," Hani said.

"The more you become economically independent," he added, "the more successful you will be. Which is why RYCO is creating a platform to develop your ideas."

"I believe that you will contribute to fight against corruption and impunity in our society, with the fact that your economic independence will encourage other young people to become more economically independent," Hani stressed.

He added that RYCO has so far supported 350 young people from the region and will soon announce another open call to invite 200 more young social entrepreneurs, and called on everyone to apply. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA archive