Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Caritas Šabac, Optimist Bosilegrad and Republik Social Club have been chosen to participate in “Social Enterprises’ Financial Sustainability” program.

Guided by its experience and knowledge in the field and also by its partners’ recommendations, Smart Kolektiv accessed these organizations with their socially entrepreneurial ideas. Decisive for the selection were the criteria incorporating the business idea’s sustainability, clear social goal relevant for the wider community, level of trust attained by the organization within the community, and the organization’s capacity to raise the necessary means.

Through this specially designed program, Smart Kolektiv wants to strengthen the social enterprises’ capacities to raise funds from companies and individuals in local communities in which they work, thereby improving their financial sustainability. The program is carried out with support from USAID and the Institute for Sustainable Communities within the Civil Society Forward Program.

Selected social enterprises, given both Smart Kolektiv’s and experts’ help, shall prepare and implement campaigns aiming at raising funds in amount of up to USD 4,000 until the end of May. Social enterprises that succeed in doing this will be granted an additional matching donation, thus doubling the funds.

Meet the selected social enterprises:

Caritas Šabac successfully operates its washing and dry cleaning service “Elio” for three years already, offering its commercial service to citizens, restaurants and hotels, while using the profits to cover the expenses of free service for its 75 day-care users. Within this project, Caritas plans to raise funds to start a new service in the town of Bogatić.

Optimist Association Bosilegrad helps vulnerable families from Bosilegrad and its surroundings by providing them with greenhouses, seedlings and all the necessary equipment and training to grow strawberries, providing also purchase under very favorable prices. 35 families have been supported in this way so far, while within this project Optimist plans to raise funds for 8 more.

Kapedunum Guides Association since 2013 successfully manages Eco Hostel Republik in Užice, built from recycled and natural materials. Inside the same house, they now wish to launch Republik Social Club, offering the citizens various entertainment and cultural programs. The entire interior shall also be made out of recycled materials, while socially vulnerable persons will work in the Club.