Purpose

Objectives of the project

• Creation of two Urban Non-Profit Companies, one in Greece and one in Bulgaria with the aim of distributing food to vulnerable social groups below the poverty line, social grocery stores.
• Combating the unnecessary waste of agricultural products and food and their utilization for public benefit through the development and implementation of social entrepreneurship.
• A source of information and inspiration for the whole world and motivation to strengthen the economy in a sustainable way to develop empathy for those living at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Expected results

• The project aims to address the issues of poverty and marginalization among economically disadvantaged social groups, including women and chronically unemployed youth.
• Creating jobs for marginalized social groups, such as women and chronically unemployed youth, helps them contribute to the local economy and support themselves. Each NGO will employ two workers and accept volunteers.
• Volunteering is promoted because it has been shown that through socialization and participation in communities, people can overcome marginalization.
• Using surplus food that would otherwise end up in the waste bin suggests an innovative and environmentally friendly approach.
• The fact that public, regional and local bodies participate in the partnership ensures the wider contribution of the project to the development and support of social entrepreneurship.
• Educational institutions and other public bodies will also participate in the effort to inform and raise awareness about the opportunities and conditions for the development of social entrepreneurship, through the organization of joint forums/discussions.
• Realization of joint seminars/events of good practices which will be addressed to a wider audience of people with financial and social problems, providing them with guidance in business planning, marketing strategies, etc.
• By providing guidance and support to the creation of new NGOs, the “Social Plate” project becomes one of the few organized efforts to promote social entrepreneurship at the local and national level in the cross-border region, thereby strengthening the development of local economies.

Contribution

• Strategic evaluation for the operation and further development of the Urban Non-Profit Company.
• Proposals for policy development to strengthen social entrepreneurship in Greece.
• Joint adoption of best practices in the local/regional area.
• Franchising guide for social enterprises.
• Organization of an International Closing Conference.
• Evaluation and selection of social partners.
• Mapping the food needs of social partners.
• Creation of a distribution plan for the social partners.
• Creation of cooperation with Social Cooperatives.
• Contribution to the development of the “Food Angels” platform.
• Organizing a round table.
• Awards for contribution to the action of the Urban Non-Profit Company and Social Entrepreneurship.
• Evaluation and selection of social partners.
• Mapping the needs of social food needs.
• Creation of a screening plan for the social partners.
• Creation of cooperation with Social Cooperatives.
• Contribution to the development of the “Food Angels” platform.
  Organizing a round table.
• Awards for contribution to the action of the Urban Non-Profit Company and Social Entrepreneurship.
• Organization of an International Closing Conference.

Project partners

1. Central Market of Thessaloniki S.A. (Lead Partner-LB)
2. Technopolis – International Institute of Education (Partner 2-PB2)
3. Municipality of Borino (Partner 3-PB3)
4. Active Youths (Partner 4-PB4 )