The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by

RISE Regional Forum

September 6-8, 2022
Tirana, Albania
Hotel Rogner

Objectives of Forum

The second RISE Regional Forum, supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, is a
region-wide conference focusing on the importance of developing support mechanisms and legal
frameworks to foster social entrepreneurship as a powerful instrument for the social and economic
development in the region.

RISE Regional Forum is a part of the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs (RISE) project,
supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Regional Youth Cooperation
Office (RYCO).

The Forum brings together the most relevant key actors and stakeholders of the entrepreneurial
ecosystem from the Western Balkans 6 and Europe. The event will be attended by representatives of a
wide range of ecosystem players, including central and local government institutions from the region,
local, regional and international development institutions, NGOs, social entrepreneurs, academia, and
experts and mentors.

Through different panels, discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will exchange ideas,
experiences and best practices across sectors with speakers, experts, social entrepreneurs and
start-ups. The participants will discuss the current state of social entrepreneurship in the region, and
best practices to shed a light on European initiatives and the Western Balkans’ perspective. By
bringing different actors together, this event aims to give a platform to exchange experiences to take
the region’s social economy to the next level.

By providing a more inclusive and in-depth understanding of social innovation and entrepreneurship,
Forum is a great platform to motivate young social entrepreneurs to engage in intercultural dialogue
and learning, provide opportunities to enhance business skills and support networking between peers.
The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by

About RISE
The RISE project is developed and monitored by a consortium composed of the Regional Youth
Cooperation Office (RYCO), PULSE (SOS Group), South East European Youth Network (SEEYN),
Institut Francais, and the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), and implemented by six local
incubators: ARNO, Balkan Green Foundation, Nešto više, Smart Kolektiv, IEC Tehnopolis and Yunus
Social Business. The general objective of RISE is to foster reconciliation in the Western Balkans
through the promotion and strengthening of social entrepreneurship in the region. The project opens
new spaces of reconciliation for the Western Balkan youth through a regional program to support social
entrepreneurship. The RISE project is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the
Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). The second RISE Regional Forum is supported by the
German Federal Foreign Office.

About social economy

Although there is not a uniform definition of “social enterprise”, the term is widely understood to refer to
“an operator in the social economy whose main objective is to achieve 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”. The social economy business
model holds considerable promise for addressing growing economic, social and environmental
challenges, triggering inclusive development. Social economy enterprises are at the forefront in
boosting sustainable agriculture and rural development, responsible consumption, the circular
economy and the transition to renewable energies. In doing so, social economy actors contribute to a
more socially and environmentally sustainable economy, playing a key role in the achievement of the
2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Relevant international development for, such as the G20
inclusive business platform and the G7 Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, are promoting
social economy as part of the global political and economic agenda. To this end, the UN Inter-Agency
Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (TFSSE) was established to promote visibility and
knowledge of the social economy in international policy circles. In 2022, historical resolutions of the
International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organization for Economic Development and
Cooperation (OECD) were adopted, witnessing the growing importance of this business model at the
global level.
The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by

AGENDA
Tuesday, September 6
Until 16:30 ARRIVAL OF PARTICIPANTS
16:30 – 17:00 REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS

WE’RE OPEN! ● Mr Albert Hani, Secretary General, RYCO

● H.E. Elisabeth Barsacq, French
Opening remarks, Ambassador to Albania
Who is here – Forum participants’ ● Mr Jannis von Oy, Deputy Head of
17:00 – 18:30
time to shine,
Mission, German Embassy in Albania
Presentation of the program.
● Mr Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana
Moderator: ● Ms Bora Muzhaqi, Minister of State for
Ms Mirela Rajković, Youth and Children, Albania
Executive Directress, SEEYN

HELLO RISERS, SHOW US THE

WAY…

Meet and greet Risers, ● RISERS from 2 RISE cycles,

Discuss social challenges and
social impact through SE,
18:30 – 20:00 ● Participants of the regional Forum.
Networking with purpose.

Moderator:
Ms Bojana Lalatović, LBO
Montenegro Program Officer,
RYCO

20:00 BUFFET DINNER

Wednesday, September 7
RISE and SHINE
● REALITY ESCAPERS ALBANIA
09:00 – 09:10 ● PREZLA
Pitching the idea – the light spot
for RISERS

FROM HEAD TO TOE, Keynote speaker: Ms Irina Janevska,

WB6 SOCIAL ECONOMY Co-founder and President, ARNO
STATE OF PLAY
● Ms Edona Bilali, Minister of State for the
Regional Perspective, Protection of Entrepreneurship, Albania
09:10 – 10:25
Progress and challenges of social ● Ms Ljiljana Lovrić, Deputy Minister of
economy in the Western Balkans, Foreign Trade and Economic Relations,
Solutions and regional synergies. Bosnia and Herzegovina
● Mr Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister of
Moderator: Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade,
Mr Denis Piplaš, Kosovo*
The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by

Deputy Secretary General, RYCO ● Mr Damir Davidović, Secretary of State in

the Ministry of Sustainable Development
and Tourism, Republic of Montenegro
● Mr Enver Husein, Deputy Minister of Labor
and Social Policy. North Macedonia
● Ms Darija Kisić Tepavčević, Minister of
Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social
Affairs, Serbia (TBC)

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on

status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion
on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
10:25 – 10:40 COFFEE BREAK

RISE and SHINE ● ECO SOLUTION RESEARCH

10:40 – 10:50 Pitching the ideas – the light spot ● DROPLET
for RISERS

Panelists:
SOLIDARITY ECONOMY and ● Mr Ralf Ernst, Deputy Coordinator, Head of
SMART GROWTH for Economic Activities, Office of the
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OF Coordinator of Economic and
EUROPE Environmental Activities, Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe
EU Perspective
● Ms Margit Perko, Policy officer, DG
Social Economy, the future of
Employment, European Commission
Europe.
10:50 – 12:05 European action plan for the (online)
social economy. ● Mr Karel Vanderpoorten, Policy Officer,
Synergy through enlargement DG GROW, Social Economy (online)
programs. ● Mr Shkelzen Marku, Managing Director,
Yunus Social Business
Moderator: ● Mr Neven Marinovic, Co-founder and
Mr Victor Meseguer, Director of Executive Director, SMART Kolektiv
Social Economy Europe, ● Ms Kelly Robin, Projects and Development
Brussels Director, PULSE (Groupe SOS)
12:05 – 13:30 LUNCH BREAK
RISE and SHINE ● STARNUTS ALBANIA
13:30 – 13:40 Pitching the ideas – the light spot ● YES FOR LESS
for RISERS

RISE Journey Presentation:

Ms Maja Markovic, RISE Project Manager,
JAZZ UP THE RISE
Pulse Balkans
How to make RISE more
Talk with entrepreneurs
attractive to youth in the WB,
● Mr Veldin Lisičić, Green Wind Energy
13:40 – 15:00 ● Mr Harun Šabanović, Droplet
RISE Journey – strengths and
● Ms Kaltrina Osmani, Eco Solutions
challenges
● Mr Fatbardh Kabashi, 35 Degrees
● Mr Musa Coha, Starnuts
Moderator:
● Mr Ornold Bazaj, Reality Escapers Albania
Ms Ardita Bonatti,
● Mr Aleksa Savic, Izadji u bar
RISE Project Manager, RYCO
● Ms Ana Marija Pavlova, CAMP
The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by

15:00 – 15:15 COFFEE BREAK

RISE and SHINE ● 35 DEGREES
15:15 – 15:25 Pitching the ideas – the light spot ● CAMP
for RISERS

PARALLEL SESSIONS

BANG THE DRUM FOR SOCIAL RESOURCE SPEAKERS

ECONOMY in WB6
Regional SE eco-system
mapping,
Gaps in the support services for
SE,
Potential for regional synergy
efforts to cover the SE support
cycle.
15:25 – 16:45 Lessons learned from EU SE
network’s experience.
Moderator:
Mr Shkelzen Marku, Managing
Director, Yunus Social Business
Reporter:
Ms Bojana Lalatović, LBO
Montenegro Program Officer,
RYCO
● Ms Eleonora Lamio, Project Manager and
Policy Officer, Diesis Network
● Mr Joost van den Hee, Senior Program
Advisor, DorcasAid International
● Ms Klotilda Kosta, Director of Programs,
Partners Albania
● Mr Enriko Ceko, Senator, World Business
Angels Investments Forum
● Mr Dino Pastorčić, Investment and
Maintenance Director, PIK Rijeka, Croatia
● Mr Nemanja Ćirić, Business Development
Manager at Gradjevinar doo, Serbia
● Ms Dejana Ponos, CEO of Arhimed
Company, Montenegro
● Ms Milica Brašanac, Representative of
Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Serbia

RISE after RISE Inspiring practice:

Peer exchange
● Ms Alketa Sokolaj, Manager, NY Bagels
How to build on sustainability Tirana
after the Incubation phase, ● Mr Marjan Lukani, & Ms Arta Nikolli,
Gaps in support for social
Co-founder, ARKA Youth Center
enterprises,
● Mr Arben Shamia, Executive Director,
15:25 – 16:45 Sustainability solutions, tips, and
tricks. YAPS
● Ms Edona Kamishi, Co-founder, Mia bag
Moderator: ● Ms Aleksandra Iloska, Manager, Face to
Ms Ardita Bonatti, Face Magazine
RISE Project Manager, RYCO ● Ms Amelia Topcia, Founder,
Woomandloom

20:00 DINNER
The Regional Forum is supported by
Thursday, September 8
TIME of ENCOURAGERS
Peer exchange among support
organisations for SE from the
region,
9:30 – 11:00 Exchange of practice and
services,
Synergy at the regional level.
Moderator:
Mr Enriko Ceko, Senator of World
Business Angels Investments
Forum
PEACE_BIZZ
How to strengthen intercultural
competence in the RISE journey?
How to promote SE with topics
such as peace education,
intercultural learning,
9:30 – 11:00 reconciliation etc.
Moderator:
Mr Frank Morawietz, SEE special
envoy, OFAJ
Reporter:
Ms Marina Jarčević, Grants
Officer, RYCO
11:00 – 11:15
RISE and SHINE
11:15 – 11:25 Pitching the ideas – the light spot
for RISERS
IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING…
Conclusions from the Forum,
inspirational ideas and next
steps,
11:25 – 13:00
Presentation of the RISE II.
Moderator:
Ms Mirela Rajković, Executive
Directress, SEEYN
13:00 – 14:30
RISE project is supported by
Fireside talks:
● Yunus Social Business Balkans, Albania
● Nešto Više, Bosnia and Herzegovina
● Balkan Green Foundation, Kosovo
● Tehnopolis, Montenegro
● Organization for Social Innovation ARNO,
North Macedonia
● Smart Kolektiv, Serbia
● Coalition for Solidarity Economy, Serbia
● Foundation 787, Bosnia and Herzegovina
● ADP Zid, Montenegro (TBC)
Workshop participants:
● RYCO Local Branch Offices representatives
● RYCO Business forum attendees
● Civil society organisations
● Investors
COFFEE BREAK
● IZAĐI U BAR
● GREEN WIND ENERGY
Presenters:
● Parallel sessions reporters
● Ms Maja Marković, RISE Project Manager
PULSE Balkans – presentation of the RISE
II
Closure speech:
Mr Denis Piplaš, Deputy Secretary General,
RYCO
LUNCH
The Regional Forum is supported by RISE project is supported by