Supporting youth to take social enterprise initiatives is one of the most important components of the YourJob program. The overall goal of this component is to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of young people, encourage the development of entrepreneurial initiatives that have the potential to positively impact the youth self-employment and generate financially sustainable positive impact on the social, economic and/or environmental aspects.
On 21 – 24 July Caritas Albania, through YourJob program, in partnership with Yunus Social Business Balkans, has conducted intensive supporting sessions (Boot Camp), focused on the formulation and modeling of social enterprises, including intensive training, mentoring and counseling for the development of key elements of the enterprise initiatives. The training, with a well-organized agenda, was held in Razëm, Shkodra by Mr. Shkëlzen Marku, expert on social enterprise initiatives, from the Yunus Social Business Balkans organization.
24 young people participated in this training, 15 males and 9 females, who had applied through the online format or in person in the relevant Career Counseling Centers. They were selected by the evaluation commission, in the light of the set criteria, such as: education, vocational training, employment, etc. The business incubation program will continue with other phases, some of which will be selected to be funded and supported for the establishment, development and growth of the social enterprises’ initiatives.