A thematic social dialogue on “The concept of social entrepreneurship and best practices in the Republic of Serbia”, was organized by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, on October 18. The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, under the German-Serbian Development Cooperation projects “Social Services for Vulnerable Groups“ and „Public Finance Reform – 2030 Agenda”, implemented by GIZ.

Participants at the event, including the Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Gordana Comic, the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social and Veterans Affairs, Darija Kisić Tepavčević, the Director of the GIZ Office in Serbia, Danijela Funke, representatives of institutions and civil society organizations, stressed the importance of social entrepreneurship in creating positive social change and addressing a number of social needs and challenges. It was pointed out that the latest draft law on social entrepreneurship should regulate business in a different way according to the principles of solidarity economy, and that social enterprises should receive an appropriate legal status and be recognized in the legal system of Serbia.

At the end of the event, a set of binding actions was drafted:

• The long-term activity on the development of the law must be finalized to ensure that solidary economy is regulated.
• Solidary economy has been recognized as a key factor of social development by all European states, and the State will demonstrate that it recognizes that the social economy is crucial for the development of society, thus aligning its legal framework with the 2030 Agenda as the global sustainable development road map.
• The legislative regulation of this area will contribute to a greater degree of social inclusion and social autonomy of socially vulnerable groups, to the improvement of their economic status, and consequently also to the improvement of human rights of the vulnerable social groups in the Republic of Serbia.
• The Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and representatives of the civil society sector are committed to working together to promote the importance of solidary economy through an intensive campaign.
• All participants in the societal dialogue shall fully support the activity of the Working Group on drafting the Law on Social Entrepreneurship.