What is RISE?
Our project
Launched on 1 October 2019, the multiannual RISE (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs) project is based in the Western Balkans and aims to support social entrepreneurship there. The implementation of the project takes into account the specific needs of the region as well as its historical and political context. Thus, the development of this project contributes to the dynamics of reconciliation.
The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office for the Balkans (RYCO). The latter is also part of the consortium coordinating the RISE project. The OFAJ (Office Franco-Allemand pour la Jeunesse) are also involved, along with SEEYN (South East Europe Youth Network) and PULSE (Groupe SOS).
The local implementation of RISE is ensured by the social incubators located in the region: ARNO (North Macedonia), Nesto Vise, (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Yunus Social Business Balkans (Albania), Smart Kolektiv (Serbia), IEC Technopolis (Montenegro) and Balkan Green Foundation (Kosovo*).
Our goals
The objective of the project is to address a specific and crucial need in the region in relation to its current context and history: opening new spaces of reconciliation for the youth of the Western Balkans through social entrepreneurship. The project, due to its very regional nature, will tend to increase the number of cross-border interactions around social entrepreneurship during the 3 years of the project and thereafter.
Enrich the capacity of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem
This specific objective is aimed at local support structures (RISE incubators) who are promoting innovative and social projects and project leaders.
Encourage reconciliation through social entrepreneurship
It is necessary to encourage a favorable context for the development of entrepreneurial projects. Raising awareness of social entrepreneurship in Western Balkan societies is a key element in the development of the project and should generate a dynamic and informed community of young social entrepreneurs.