Strengthening social enterprises in two Hungarian regions became a leverage to increase local employment in disadvantaged communities.
In the regions of Cserehát in North-Eastern Hungary and Zala in Western Hungary there are many disadvantaged communities. These communities wanted to improve their situation by launching independent, community-based productive activities. However, they were restrained by the lack of competences, experience, information and financial difficulties.
As a response to these constraints two resource centres where established in each region. These centres provided capacity building, competence development and supported the development of viable business models. They carried out a series of activities including data collection on potential beneficiaries, training and workshops, study trips, organised meetings and events as well as promotion and communication actions, provided technical assistance to existing enterprises and created two websites.
The project supported the creation of 5 new social enterprises and provided technical support to 2 existing ones.
The complex organisational development and business planning support helped the enterprises to operate sustainably and create employment opportunities.