We are an independent, open, non-governmental institution, uniting the existing and newly forming social enterprises, associations of social incubators, foundations, research-educational institutions, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental organizations, individuals and everyone that is actively engaged in the social entrepreneurship in Slovenia. Our Vision
We wish to serve as a platform fo
r connection of social enterprises and those supporting institutions which have set themselves a goal to promote social entrepreneurship and thereby become a generator of sustainably oriented socio-economical changes in Slovenia. Furthermore, we intend to act as an internationally branched out and renowned centre of excellence for development and promotion of social entrepreneurship. We envision social entrepreneurship as a new social-economic and business model that will in Slovenia become:
An innovator of socio-economic structures and processes based on formation of a new culture, founded on social capital and of new values, knowledge, trust, cooperation and solidarity, which will enable the Slovene citizens a high level of social activity, creativity and innovation, resulting in a development of a sustainably oriented society of welfare and prosperity;
A generator of sustainably-oriented local economies and quality workplaces - by promoting innovative networking of local development actors, by creating competitive new or upgraded existing products or services, new business models and forms of work and by setting up local development partnerships among the public, civil society and private sector;
A social integrator and developer of personal competencies and professional skills among vulnerable focus groups, needed for ensuring social and work integration, becoming therefore the most important partner of the governing and economic sector in pursuing development goals. Aim and objective of the forum
General aim
To contribute to the search of solutions needed for the exit from the ongoing economic, social and moral crisis of the Slovene society, through promotion of social economy development, introduction of new values and standards in business and the use of new cooperative business models, thereby successfully activating the hitherto unexploited development potentials, new business opportunities and quality workplaces. The specific objective of the Forum is connecting the potentials of our own members into a new development partnership, which will establish a common platform for activities of social enterprises, supporting institutions and partners, so that the social entrepreneurship in Slovenia would reach at least the average level of development within the EU in the coming seven years period, becoming an equal development factor in the socio-economic progress of Slovenia. The Forum therefore represents a concrete and firm organizational form, which is transforming into:
• a gathering point for social entrepreneurs and a solid connector of social entrepreneurship actors and (periodically changing) government structures at national as well as local levels,
• a focal point of knowledge and supporting environment for the newly forming social entrepreneurs,
• a generator of promotion of social investors, an instructor and a provider of other instruments of supporting environment for social entrepreneurs,
• a promoter of active dialogue with key political actors in recognising the root causes of development problems and promoting new values and principles of sustainably oriented business activity, in the search of innovative solutions to the ever more pressing societal issues,
• a co-creator of governmental/regional/municipal development strategies, with the goal of promoting ideas and values of social entrepreneurship within the Slovenian growth process, by offering guidance. key development priorities and activities
• promotion of values and business models of social entrepreneurship and supply of information to the public on the significance, goals and results of its activities,
• efficient networking and interconnection of social enterprises in the Slovene and the wider international arena into joint development-innovation project,
• development of necessary skills and exchange of good practices,
• advocacy for social enterprises with the goal of influencing public policies and establishing a legal framework in support of the activities of social enterprises,
• development of international networks and representation of Slovene social enterprises within international/EU associations,
• market research and analyses regarding the demand for new services in view of opening new opportunities for social enterprises,
• liaising between financial institutions and social enterprises and ensuring sustainable sources of financing for social economy and entrepreneurship, including innovative sources of financing and development of new sources,
• research in the field of new business models and grounding new indicators for the measuring of successful activities in the social entrepreneurship sector,
• establishing a system of quality standards in the area of social entrepreneurship, a system of rewarding and public promotion of individuals and legal entities for good results in the field of social entrepreneurship, as well as a system of inside control over respect for agreed standards and principles of social entrepreneurship among members. Membership, partners and key principles of action
The Slovene forum acts according to principle of voluntary membership, as a plural platform of civil society. Anyone with a desire to contribute to the development of social entrepreneurship can be included as partner. Forum is also cooperating with socially responsible companies that wish to become partners in social enterprises. Municipalities, cooperatives and those development agencies at local/regional level that wish to promote social entrepreneurship are likewise included in cooperation. Forum acts according to networking principles and connects the bottom-up and top-down approaches through the system of efficient horizontal and vertical networking, with the aim to encourage creativity of all members and partners. It acts along the principle of non-profit or the principles of social enterprises, meaning that each member possesses one vote and all surpluses of incomes over costs are reinvested into the realization of its vision and mission. Forum leadership
The Assembly, composed of all Forum members, is the highest body of the Forum. The core leadership of the Forum includes the President, Secretary general and the Management Board, elected by the Assembly. Expert guidance and direction of the Forum is entrusted to the Expert Council, nominated by the Management Board out of experts for specific individual areas of Forum's activities. Contacts:
Slovenian social enterprise forum
Razlagova 22
2000 Maribor
Tadej Slapnik
Secretary General
M: +386 31 348 930
W: www.fsp.si
E: [email protected]
FB: www.facebook.com/SocialnoPodjetnistvo
TW:
