GROWING SOCIAL

“Growing Social” is implemented within the framework of the INTERREG V-A Greece – Bulgaria 2014 – 2020 program. The corporate structure includes from Greece the Lead Partner – Pylaia Chortiatis Municipality, Partner 2 – Technopolis Thessaloniki S.A., Partner 3 – General Secretariat of Industry and two from Bulgaria, Partner 4 – Rudozem Municipality, Partner 5 – Local active group Zlatogerad – Nedelino. The main purpose of the project is to “Promote social entrepreneurship as a model of local development (decentralization)” instead of the current practice of political representation of the welfare state.

Side goals

The sub-objectives of the project include creating support mechanisms for potential stakeholders and new social enterprises in the cross-border area, enabling young unemployed people to join the labor market and at the same time have a positive social impact through their work.

Products of the project

2 new jobs for the operation of the local offices, one in Greece (Asvestochori Thessaloniki) and one in Bulgaria.
an online interactive help desk with manuals and consulting tools for creating Social Enterprise investment plans.
evaluation of the investment plans submitted to the local offices.
the installation in the incubator of the 2 best investment projects.
an educational visit of 20 participants from Bulgaria.
3 open conferences.
publicity actions such as creation of a project website, promotion on social media, brochures, posters, promotion on media (radio spots, e-banners, press releases) and 2 videos.
300 students will participate in interactive awareness workshops on social entrepreneurship issues.
Promotion of the concept of social entrepreneurship to the general public through publicity actions.

Contribution

EUROACTION A.E. provided technical and advisory support for the management and implementation of the project to the Municipality of Pylaia-Hortiatis (Lead Partner), to the Management and Administration Agency of Technopolis Thessaloniki S.A. (Partner 2) and to the General Secretariat of Industry (Partner 3).

Individual actions implemented within the project include:

preparation of a study with a master plan for the Local Office of Social Entrepreneurship and a feasibility study.
interactive Workshops organization.
organization of a 5-day training seminar.
an open day “Success Stories Day” for 100 participants organization.
Evaluating social entrepreneurship business plans and providing feedback for their improvement.
The preparation of a guide on the opportunities for Social enterprises on the Greek side and for young social entrepreneurs.
The creation of an online interactive service desk (helpdesk).
The investigation of existing financing mechanisms for social enterprises.
Creation of existing private and public incubators to support new social enterprises and transfer know-how.
The evaluation of the project after its completion.
The implementation of part of the project’s publicity actions (drafting of a communication plan, printed information materials, social media profiles).