Network for European Citizenship
and Identity
Training Course: Social Entrepreneurs in Action
20-28 March Smolyan Bulgaria
About the Project:
The project was implemented in Smolyan Bulgaria, between 20-28 March 2022. It focused on the link between the economic phenomenon "Social Entrepreneurship" and youth work, thus supporting the social and professional development of young people.
Social entrepreneurship is an opportunity for young people to find innovative solutions to major social problems, to realize their potential and assert their identity. It is also one of the tools for sustainable fight against youth unemployment and social exclusion of young people.
The project aimed to prepare youth workers to apply the concept of social entrepreneurship in their organizations and communities by developing their entrepreneurial skills and competencies. Furthermore, the project aimed to identify the entrepreneurial potential of people and organizations involved in the project to provide participants with examples of successful businesses developed by young social entrepreneurs, developed knowledge about the process of development of social enterprise. During the training, the participants planned how to transfer entrepreneurial skills and practices to young people they work with. It supported young people in their personal and professional development, facilitated their social inclusion and full contribution to the community and its development.
The project included topics such as: basics of social entrepreneurship, SWOT and PEST-ELD analysis SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT cycle of social change, competency model of a social entrepreneur, business plan development, development of entrepreneurial ideas and etc.
NECI EU was represented by two youthworkers, Antonis Kakoullis and Demetris Sofocleous.
Social Enterpreneurs in action was an amazing intercultural event which apart from the training, combined knowledge and personal experiences of people livening in 10 different countries! This combination along with various techniques such as the design thinking model, SWOT Analysis and Porter's five forces were some of the few tools we have extensively explored in order to learn how to build our social enterprise ! Nowadays, traditional business models must have a social cause not only to be successful but also to help solve challenges in social communities! This purpose was achieved through innovating learning games and personal development sessions to firstly help us built our psycology and then be ready to take more solid decisions regarding our business goals/visions. Work hard play hard was something we also establish in this week. A well deserved time at Pamporovo ski resort boosted our enthusiasm to better perform in the remaining days ! In conclusion, we have formed strong relations and we have developed many of our skills to help us positively implement them in our societies !
Demetris Sofocleous
I had the chance being on a training course-project, with title "Social entrepreneurs in action", that was made in Smolyan/Bulgaria, representing NECI Cyprus, between 20-28/03/2022. In this project I learned about social enterprises, what exactly are these kind of enterprises and how to build one from scratch by using very useful tools so it can be stable and sustainable. All these came through seminars, by visiting a local social enterprise and learn how it was made and how it works, by group working and by individual showing off skills sessions (pax sessions) made from the participants on a completely interactive way. In this project I met new friends and came closer to new cultures (Lithuania, Greece, North Macedonia, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Martinique/France, Azerbaijan). I also tried my ski skills on the famous Pamporovo ski resort during a free day that was organized by the hosting organization (CET platform). Everything was well structured and after this fulfilled project I am ready to spread it out and try to build my own social enterprise if I have the chance, so big changes in my local community can be made in a prototype and innovative way.
Antonis Kakoullis
