“Baltic – UK Social Entrepreneurship Forum”: Speakers’ presentations
“Baltic – United Kingdom Social Entrepreneurship Forum”: Restrospect and Speakers’ Presentations
On the 4th of June, international “Baltic – United Kingdom Social Entrepreneurship Forum”, dedicated to the topic of COOPERATION gathered social entrepreneurs, government representatives and others interested in this topic from all over the world. Establishing partnerships in business is relevant for both new and small, experienced, and large social enterprises, to promote their development on a larger scale, it is especially important during the global pandemic, which is preventing many companies from proper functioning. In this Forum we shared knowledge, experience, and business-like skills in building business cooperation.
The conference was opened by Andrew O’Brien, Director of External Affairs at “Social Enterprise UK”, the presentation can be found HERE.
PITCHES BY MINISTRIES
Each minister talked about trends and development of social entrepreneurship, legal framework (law or other regulations) and definition of social enterprises, statistics and industries of social enterprises, instruments of financial or other type support, social enterprises cooperation with the ministry and also gave examples of social enterprises in their countries.
LATVIA
Imants Lipskis, Director of Labour Market Policy Department, Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia, the presentation can be found HERE.
ESTONIA
Minna Harjo, Adviser to the Department of Civil Society, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Estonia, the presentation can be found HERE.
LITHUANIA
Simona Gaidyte, Chief Officer at Business Policy Division, Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, the presentation can be found HERE.
PITCHES BY ASSOCIATIONS
Association representatives talked about social entrepreneurship ecosystem and trends of partnerships in general. There were various topics that were emphasized by each country – cooperation with municipalities, impact measurement and cooperation with ministries.
LATVIA
Regita Zeiļa, Director of Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia, the presentation can be found HERE.
ESTONIA
Jaan Aps, CEO and Senior consultant of “Stories For Impact”, the presentation can be found HERE.
LITHUANIA
Viktorija Braziunaite, Head of Lithuanian Social Business Association, the presentation can be found HERE
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE
“FRC Group”, UK
“FRC Group” is a 33 year old social enterprise with the mission to ‘End Furniture Poverty’. This is achieved through a range of social enterprise activity -– End Furniture Poverty.org, Furniture Resource Centre, Buckingham Interiors, Bulky Bob’s, Bulky Bob’s for Business and Bulky Bob’s Furniture World. “FRC Group” employs 120 people and has a turnover of £14M. “FRC Group” supplies a range of furniture related products and services to both individuals and organisations.
Find their presentation HERE.
„Pirmas blynas“, LT
“Pirmas blynas” is a socially conscious pancake restaurant in Vilnius. Delicious pancakes are served by people with disabilities working as waiters and helping in the kitchen. The social enterprise has developed successful cooperation with the local ministry and NGOs.
Find their presentation HERE.
“Merkuur OÜ”, EST
A mobile workshop goes to different places to help young people discover the amazing world of technology. In mobile classrooms equipped with modern technology and tools, every student, teacher and parent can test their engineering skills, various techniques and tools, and make exciting products. “Merkuur OÜ” develops cooperation with schools.
Find their presentation HERE.
“Barboleta”, LV
“Barboleta” aims to support children with developmental, behavioural and emotional difficulties. “Barboleta” has three fields of action: “Barboleta” method is an interactive balancing tool, nursery school and development centre “Learn to learn”. “Barboleta” is building cooperation with various enterprises, parents for developing new products and services, as well as with municipality.
Find their presentation HERE.
Maeve Monaghan, Chief Executive of “NOW Group”, UK
“NOW Group” is an award-winning social enterprise based in Belfast that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future. The organization provide a range of services that support people with barriers and autism to realise their full potential and change their lives for the better. “NOW Group” also operates three successful social enterprise businesses called Loaf Catering, Gauge Impact and JAM Card, the profits from which go back into “NOW Group’s” work.
Find their presentation HERE.
The graphic recording done by Dace Andersone is a great summary and reflection of the topics discussed in the Forum.
The Forum was supported by the British Council Latvia and was one of the closing events of the British Council’s “People to People Cultural Engagement 2016-2021” programme. This programme has been running in the Baltic States since 2016 with the aim of supporting educational, cultural and social entrepreneurship activities that promote social cohesion. The Forum was organized by Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia in cooperation with the Estonian Social Enterprise Network, and the Lithuanian Association of Social Enterprises.
