Mapping of Situation in Cyprus Dr. Alexander Apostolides, European University Cyprus , Chair, Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of EUC and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 1
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What are Social Enterprises? Part of European Effort to restart the existing infrastructure of social enterprises Allows for a larger pool of individuals to get active in entrepreneurship more than a profit motive Able to tackle problems of society We already see nations that are much more advanced in defining the framework having internal debates between social and solidarity economy
Note: the president of the council at the time was Cyprus, and in particular the minister of Labour Sotiroula Charalambous
What was the definition we applied • As project suggest applied definition was by: – RIPESS, (February 2014) “Global Vision for a Social Solidarity Economy: Convergences and Differences in Concepts, Definitions and Frameworks” as accessed 10th March 2015 http://www.ripess.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/RIPESS_GlobalVision_EN.pdf
What is Susy? (Former SSEDAS)
• A EuropeAid project that aims to highlight Social & Solidarity Economy as Development Approach for Sustainability (SSEDAS) • Now renamed Social and Solidarity Economy (SUSY) To kick-start a discussion on the role and impact of Social Enterprises in the partner countries For Cyprus 1. To research the local Social & Solidarity Economy context in Cyprus 2. To identify of Good Practice of Social and Solidarity Economy in Cyprus 3. To provide training to CSOs on the Social Enterprise ideas 4. To increase understanding and engagement in Social Entrepreneurship
In order to do 1 and 2.. • Mapping of the current situation was needed • Some secondary material exists: – European Commission (2014), A Map of social enterprises and their ecosystem of Europe. Country Report: Cyprus, (ICF consulting) – Benini, Marco,(2013) “Cyprus” Social Entrepreneurship network – Ignite Europe (2012), Social Entrepreneurship in Partner Countries – Isaias, G and Kaufmann, H.R (2011). “Social Entrepreneurship: A new paradigm that can help Cyprus to address its challenges.” Catherall Richard, (2012) “Social enterprise can help Cyprus fulfil its potential” The Guardian, – Playbell, Stella Moustaka, “Comment Paper Cyprus” in Social economy - laying the groundwork for innovative solutions to today's challenges (Paris, 10-11 December 2012)
As the local Researcher for Cyprus • Feeling that a new mapping exercise was needed • Great progress in the understanding of social need • Not translated to awareness by individuals or organizations of their actions or activities being part of a social enterprise • Felt that actual business model had to be in place
Mapping identified many activities that could qualify • Established social enterprises – Synthesis Centre / Nicosia HUB – Futureworlds centre – We Hug a cause – CCMC – Controllery – Cans for Kids – Anakyklos Perivalontiki – Chrysalis Leap
• Traditional social enterprise activities – Κοινωνικά Παντοπωλεία – Cooperative Societies • Marketing • Production (local products)
– Cooperative Banks – Other Charity related initiatives
Why Anakyklos? • • • • •
Environmental consciousness Gender balance and labour conditions Cooperation with other established institutions Direct support to families in need Working with schools and in particular the practice of integrating persons with special needs in production • Self identification, especially after the crisis • Greater transparency of aims and processes
What can we learn from project? • A range of best practices from across the world to tackle a series of issues that are relevant to Cyprus • Training of the trainers and Dialogue oriented workshops • Involvement of the public sector: – Institutionalization and recognition of social actors – Awareness (and social trust) of the sector Support: financial, technical, bureaucratic, training, professional standards – Demand-growth: agenda-setting prioritization of social goals • Related to support: contracts, tenders that are social goal-oriented
Research identified challenges • Social distrust of social aims in a entity with a business model • Legal limbo of reform of company, NGO and other entities in the law. • Lack of awareness or even being self-aware • A lack of a “Space” being made available for Social enterprises to operate