Social entrepreneurship: a potential for improving socioeconomic conditions in Montenegro

About publication

Author: Valentina Ostojić

Publishing year: 2024.

Social or societal entrepreneurship represents a a combination of entrepreneurial activities aimed at addressing social issues. While its principles have been present for centuries through philanthropy, the modern model of social entrepreneurship emerged around 1980. Considering how social enterprises contribute to communities in the European Union, where they employ over 13.6 million people, accounting for 10% of all enterprises, the question arises: how can this potential be developed in Montenegro to address key social challenges, such as unemployment and sustainable development?

In Montenegro, social entrepreneurship has been recognized in various strategic documents for over a decade. There have been attempts to pass a specific Law on Social Enterprises that would comprehensively regulate this area, but such legislation has yet to be passed. Due to this legal gap, the entire sector lacks formal support, significantly hindering its growth and institutionalisation, as well as its impact on positive changes.

This publication was created as part of the project “YouthJobLink – Linking Youth and Social Enterprises,” implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO) with the support of the European Union through the Directorate for Financing and Contracting of EU Assistance Funds (CFCU) of the Ministry of Finance.

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the author and CCE/CGO, and in no way can it be interpreted as the position of the European Union or the Government of Montenegro.