On 26 April, the National Forum “Development of Social Entrepreneurship” was held at the Yerevan State University, which was organised in the scope of the “Social Entrepreneurship as a Community Development Mechanism” implemented within the framework of the sub-grant provided in the scope of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project, with co-funding of the EcoLab Foundation for Sustainable Development and Active Citizenship and with the support of Entrepreneurship Development Centre of YSU.

It became a living platform that enabled dozens of actors of the sector to discuss key issues related to the social entrepreneurship (CS) ecosystem and their possible solutions.

Mr. Ruben Markosyan, YSU Vice-rector on Students, Alumni and Public Affairs noted in his welcoming speech: “We are very glad that Yerevan State University becomes a unique platform for unifying, discussing and outlining the potential of national social entrepreneurship. Many years ago we have already had some small projects with many organisations present here.”

Mr. Stanislav Toshkov, the representative of the EU Delegation to Armenia also made a welcoming speech. “The EU Delegation is interested in social entrepreneurship in Armenia and we are interested in this topic as we are also interested in the topic of economic development, but our activities also focus on civil society organisations in promoting environmental intervention programs. Social entrepreneurship seems to bridge the work with our private sector and civil society. For me, in recent years, it has been very interesting to follow the progress in this field in Armenia, and this event is also an important step in that progress,” he said.

Ms Satik Badeyan, President of the Association of Social Enterprises of Armenia (ASEA) noted that the forum was aimed to creating a platform for all those involved in the sector. “In the year 2015, when the Association of Social Enterprise was created by 7 founding organisations yet, we set our strategy and vision and in the scope of these in future we see Armenia as a place where the whole business is building its economic activity in favour of universal welfare,” she said․

Mr. Karen Zadoyan, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, said that social entrepreneurship is a very important and evolving direction in Armenia. He also mentioned and presented the existing problems. “One of the most important issues of the sector is the problem of the social welfare ecosystem, its components, the problem related with all actors, the problem of general co-operation and coordination in Armenia, a vision that has not been formed, and the absence of political decision-makers, and we do not even have a representative from government today at this important event.”

Ms Yana Mkrtchyan, the Director of the EcoLab Foundation, said that the foundation has been operating in Armenia for 8 years now and four years ago, when the program participants urged that their programs and ideas would be more sustainable, they would not even think that they would come to the idea of ​​social entrepreneurship: “Social entrepreneurship has become one of our strategically important branches,” she said.

After the official opening session, the forum continued its work in panel discussion format. The discussions were held on 3 main topics:

• Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and Supporting Development Mechanisms,
• Legal regulation of SE,
• Educational objectives and development opportunities of the SE.

Mr. Hakob Avagyan Vice President of the “SME Cooperation Association”, facilitated the first discussion. “Years ago, when I heard the words “social entrepreneurship”, I asked what it was. Even today, during the opening ceremony, my colleagues unfortunately stated that we did not have a document in which it was recorded what it is. It is good that one of the discussions will be about it,” Hakob Avagyan said.

Mr. Stanislav Toshkov, the representative of the EU Delegation to Armenia, presented what programs are expected in the near future, pointing out that when the EU Delegation speaks about social entrepreneurship, first of all, it is interested in its dual mission.

Mr. Emin Yeritsyan, President of the Union of Communities of Armenia noted that it is not bad that there is no definition of social entrepreneurship right now. “What are the local authorities and social entrepreneurship crossing first? Both tend to effectively address social issues. If we begin with this starting point, we will see our common problems. I think we have to make big changes in Armenia that apart from individual cases, social entrepreneurship would become a movement that brings changes in our lives. “

Mr. Tachat Stepanyan, Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU) “Bridge for CSOs” Project Manager said that the goal of a social enterprise is to solve social problems in society, community and country. He also mentioned why the role of communities is particularly important. “Identifying a social issue is much easier for organisations that have contacts with people in the community.”

Mr. Robert Ghukasyan, who is also known as the “Kalavan Robert”, is a representative of the Time Lend Scientific and Educational Foundation, presented his own experience on the possibilities of social entrepreneurship development and existing obstacles. “Everyone has objectives, everyone knows exactly what to do, apart from one link of the chain and it is the community, and as long as that happens, we will not have significant progress,” he said and added that the whole problem is systemic that there is no village in Armenia that has no potential to develop.

Mr. Karen Zadoyan, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, presented the impact of the CCD project in solving problems, noting that the Armenian Business Coalition has been formed within the framework of the project, which carries out important work on the model of social entrepreneurship. Speaking of sectoral issues, he said: “In my opinion, the problem in Armenia is the lack of harmonious co-operation between all actors in the ecosystem and the consolidation of those efforts. As you know, those key actors are politicians, decision makers, government agencies, local governments, educational institutions and research centres,” he said.

Mr. Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development also delivered a speech at the forum. Highlighting the sector, he noted that successful attempts by social enterprises have systemic significance.

Notably, an exhibition-sale of the social enterprises was held in the scope of the forum as well, where about 50 SEs operating in different marzes of the Republic of Armenia presented their services and products: Sewing workshop, plastic processing plant, confectionery workshop. The newly created social enterprises in addition to created dozens of new jobs, have also directed more than 50% of their profits to address their community’s problems: shelter for homeless children, provision of vocational education, ecosystem protection, employment of persons with disabilities, etc.