Social entrepreneurship

The Pardubice Region has 4 districts, in which 32 social enterprises currently operate in 14 branches. In 2021, a brochure on socially beneficial business in the Pardubice Region was createdSocial Entrepreneurship in Practice.

Brožura sociálního podnikání

 

Support from the region is given to companies in the areas of:

  • Social market – working meeting of social enterprises and socially responsible companies in cooperation with the CzechInvest agency
  • Regional subsidy support for social entrepreneurship – support for the establishment of a new social enterprise and support for the development of an already functioning social enterprise
  • Responsible ordering – catering, printing, advertising and gift items
  • Counseling center – individual consultations with mentors and experts in the field of social entrepreneurship
  • Academy of Social Entrepreneurship – comprehensive education designed for social enterprises and those interested in social entrepreneurship

Definitions of terms

Social and solidarity economy

It is a set of activities carried out by social economy entities, the aim of which is to increase employment in local conditions or to satisfy other needs and goals of the community in the field of economic, social, cultural and environmental development.

Subjects of social economy

The subjects of the social economy are social enterprises, supporting financial, counseling and educational institutions for social entrepreneurship and non-governmental non-profit organizations that carry out economic activities for the purpose of employment of their clients or for co-financing their mission.

The subjects of the social economy share common features, which are the fulfillment of the public benefit goal, democratic decision-making, support for citizens’ initiative, independence from public or private institutions, a different way of dealing with profits, taking into account environmental aspects, meeting local needs as a matter of priority and using local resources as a matter of priority.

Social business

Social entrepreneurship is a business activity that benefits society and the environment. It plays an important role in local development and often creates employment opportunities for people with health, social or cultural disadvantages. The profit is largely used for the further development of the social enterprise. Making a profit as well as increasing public benefit are equally important for a social enterprise.

Social enterprise

Social enterprise means a “social enterprise entity”, ie a legal entity established under private law or a part thereof or a natural person that meets the principles of a social enterprise. The social enterprise fulfills the public benefit goal, which is formulated in the founding documents. It arises and develops on the concept of the so-called triple benefit – economic, social and environmental.

Integrative social enterprise

An integrative social enterprise is a “social enterprise entity”, ie a legal entity established under private law or a natural person who meets the principles of an integrated social enterprise. The integrative social enterprise fulfills the public benefit goal, which is the employment and social inclusion of people at a disadvantage on the labor market, and this goal is formulated in the founding documents. It arises and develops on the concept of the so-called triple benefit – economic, social and environmental.

Principles of social entrepreneurship

The social enterprise has a public benefit goal formulated in the founding documents and fulfills it through specific activities.

Social benefits

Activities that benefit society or a specific group of (disadvantaged) people are considered social benefits. Furthermore, the participation of employees and members in the direction of the company.

Economic benefit

The social enterprise performs continuous economic activity and is able to manage economic risks. Any profit is used primarily for the development of social enterprise or for the fulfillment of public benefit goals. The social enterprise is autonomous in managerial decision-making and management by external founders or founders.

Environmental and local benefits

The social enterprise gives priority to the needs of the local community and local demand. It uses local resources, takes into account the environmental aspects of production and consumption. Collaborates with local actors.

Contact:
Tomáš Vlasák
director of the regional office CzechInvest Pardubice
tomas.vlasak@czechinvest.org

Pavel Šotola
councilor of the Pardubice Region responsible for social care and the non-profit sector
pavel.sotola@pardubickykraj.cz