The creation and development of social enterprises can be a significant mechanism to generate and sustain regional economic growth and competitiveness. The European Union considers social enterprises as the main interpreter of social innovation, even if there is not a unique legal form to describe them. The description of social enterprise given by the European Commission is: “Social Enterprise is an operator in the social economy whose main objective is to have a social impact rather than make a profit for their owners or shareholders. It operates by providing goods and services for the market in an entrepreneurial and innovative fashion and uses its profits primarily to achieve social objectives. It is managed in an open and responsible manner and, in particular, involves employees, consumers and stakeholders affected by its commercial activities”.
Social companies and social entrepreneurs are essential for the regional economic and social development because their outcomes include not only business performance, as well as social and/or environmental gains. They constitute a model that serves as a basis for a future transformation of the economic system, trying to look for a more sustainable development path.
Nevertheless, social companies and entrepreneurs present significant barriers to develop successfully their businesses, such as the lack of business management skills, the difficult access to finance and the absense of political strategies.
It is therefore necessary to set regional strategic plans between local authorities and institutions, business support organizations and others stakeholders in order to stimulate and support the increase of social enterprises.
The objectives of the project are:
• To improve the actions of the institutions for a more effective promotion and support of social entrepreneurship.
• To improve the capabilities of the support institutions with the aim of increasing the number of innovative SMEs with social outcomes, and promoting their growth and development.
• To develop capacities for designing, implementing and evaluating a specific program that supports social entrepreneurs.
• To provide institutions with the most appropriate tools for the strengthening and consolidation of social companies.
The exchange of experiences is essential to provide new ideas on promoting social entrepreneurship and social enterprises to the regions interested on this issue. Mobilising the maximum number of stakeholders as possible will facilitate the development and implementation of new programmes or measures. Moreover, the possibilities of success of any project will increase significantly if the regional business fabric has support institutions to which to turn when necessary.
