Social entrepreneurship
new partnerships as a solution for
social inclusion of vulnerable
groups
Case: Serbia
Gordan Velev, Group 484
Content
In this presentation we will talk about:
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Where and Why social entrepreneurship started in Serbia
When did it begin?
Who are the most important stakeholders currently?
How and what are they doing?
What is the current legislative framework?
Trough the case studies we will show what is the link
between social enterprises, social inclusion and
partnerships
Hopefully, it will take us 10 minutes 
Social enterprises
More typology
Where and Why?
History
• Socialistic past of Serbia (part of exYugoslavia)
• The period of disintegration of economical
system and the system of social policy (19892000)
• Protected workshops for disabled persons
after WWII connected to big industrial
systems
• Other vulnerable groups not-recognized
• Passive social and employment policies
Where and Why?
Recent history
• Weak communication between different institutions
(primarily employment sector, education and social
policy)
• CSOs: development of civil society, anti-war
activities, development of democratic institutions
and the like – until 2000
• CSO as service providers: response to humanitarian
crisis
• Non for profit sector agenda – driven by
international donors
• Institutional framework: not-existing
• Start of the EU-oriented agenda
When?
• In last 4-5 years both civil sector and the government
started thinking about integrated approach in the
field of social economy
• Increased interest in social economy (2006): Role of
Social Enterprises in Employment Generation in CEE
and CIS – National Study in Serbia, SeConS, UNDP,
Belgrade, 2006
• The mapping showed that under the EMES criteria,
there are 1158 possible social enterprises in Serbia
Who?
• Public institutions:
SIPRU Team (Cabinet of vise prime minister), Ministry for
economy and regional development, Ministry for Labor and
Social Policy, National employment service
• International agencies and foundations:
UNDP, IOM, ILO, UniCredit Foundation, ERSTE Foundation
• Domestic organizations and foundations:
European Movement, SMART Kolektiv, BCIF, IDC, Group 484,
etc…
• Business sector:
NALED, Global Compact Forum, Business Leadership Forum,
Erste Bank, Chamber of Commerce Serbia, etc…
It is of enormous importance to have structured, continues efforts and
partnerships both between all the stakeholders and between and within the
governmental institutions
What?
Social enterprises can be defined as "organisations with an explicit
aim to
benefit the community, initiated by a group of citizens and in which the
material interest of capital investors is subject to limits. They place a
high value on their independence and on economic risk-taking
related to ongoing socio-economic activity."

Type A – Social enterprises delivering social, health and
educational services (generally the workers are social or health
workers and professionals);

Type B - Social enterprises producing goods and services different
from social ones – agricultural, industrial, commercial or other
services activities – for private customers or for public agencies,
with the objective of achieving the work integration of
disadvantaged people - legally fixed minimum of 30% of the
workers/members
How and what?
• Public institutions:
Creation of legislative framework, establishment of financing
opportunities, outsourcing of services, PPP
• International agencies and foundations:
Support of pilot projects, advocacy, policy
• Domestic organizations and foundations:
Implementation of projects, advocacy, policy, establishment of
networks, promotion of the concept
• Business sector:
Enrolment of SE in the distribution chains, CSR, PPP
Key words: legislative framework, public private partnerships, social economy, social
enterprises, fund for development of social enterprises
Legislative framework
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No specific Law covering the field of social economy
Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities,
May 13th 2009: The term “social enterprises” used for the first time in Serbian
legislative system (article 45), “social enterprise is a business association
established for providing services directed towards fulfilling the needs of people
with disabilities, and which employ at least one person with disability”.
Draft Law on Social Protection, to be adopted in 2011: private sector providers in
the field of social welfare (transformation of CSOs working in the field of service
provision).
Draft Law on medical protection and the strategy for primary medical protection:
(Much greater scale of prevention opens room for economic involvement)
New Law on Civic Association from 2009 - providing (very limited) opportunity for
CSOs to engage in economic activities.
Draft Law on Cooperatives, to be adopted at beginning of 2011 (old one is from
1996): unofficial information - concept “social cooperatives” included in the text.
Draft Law on Microfinance: currently under discussion, expected to be adopted by
the end of 2010.
Good practices: Association of
paraplegic and quadriplegic
Good practices: Eco-social
cooperative Eco-Bag
Good practices: Production shop
Bioideja
Good practices: Association for support of
disabled children Our Home
Thank you for
your attention!!!
gordan.velev@grupa484.org.rs
www.grupa484.org.rs