Empowering Youth for Better Development Through Social Entrepreneurship: EU4Youth Project Launch

The European Union, in collaboration with Junior Achievement and other stakeholders, presents the project “Better Development Through Social Entrepreneurship,” an ambitious initiative aimed at young people in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

Empowering young people, especially in terms of employment opportunities and skill development, has been crucial for the EU’s cooperation with its Eastern partners. Continuing the EU’s commitment to enhance the leadership capacity, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial spirit of young people through the EU4Youth program, we are delighted to announce the launch of a project titled “Better Development Through Social Entrepreneurship in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.”

This initiative, presented in collaboration with Junior Achievement, a key player in the EU’s efforts to empower young people, aims to equip 2,100 young people with the tools they need to drive significant economic and social changes in the mentioned countries.

Taking place from August 2023 to July 2025 in the three aforementioned countries, the project’s mission is to promote a deeper understanding of social entrepreneurship and provide young people with the necessary skills while creating a conducive environment for social enterprise development.

The launch event in Chisinau on October 3rd during a regional conference is expected to have a dynamic diversity of approximately 150 participants. Among those attending are colleagues from the implementing countries, international experts, school principals, teachers, partners, donors, central and local public authorities, representatives of the Embassies of Georgia, Lithuania, Ukraine, the EU Delegation in Moldova, JA Europe, USAID, LED, GIZ Moldova, and representatives of the business sector.

Laurentia Filipschi, General Director of JA Moldova, states: “This endeavor reflects our deep commitment to channeling young people’s energies toward productive paths, ensuring they are well-prepared to make a difference. Junior Achievement is excited to be part of this transformative journey.”

The upcoming conference, “Better Development Through Social Entrepreneurship,” scheduled for October 3, 2023, promises to be a crucial event in empowering youth and promoting social enterprises in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

Below, you can see a preliminary agenda for the event:

Opening Ceremony:

• Alexandru Stratan, Rector, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, President of Junior Achievement Moldova
• Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova
• Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova
• Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Moldova
• Diana Filip, Deputy Director and Development Director, JA Europe
• Ion Sturza, Honorary President of Junior Achievement Moldova

Discussion Panels:

• Creating Start-ups and Their Sustainability – Sustainable Business Models Moderator: Diana Filip, JA Europe Speakers include Dumitru Pîntea, Sergiu Gurău, Andželika Rusteikienė, Michaela Marcinova, and Michal Dzoga.
• The Role of Entrepreneurial Education in Social Entrepreneurship Development Moderator: Alexandru Stratan, President of JA Moldova, Rector, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Participants: Corina Lungu, Eka Gegeshidze, Yuriy Tokarski, students Doina Cimpoacă and Doina Levinte, and Irina Nasalciuc.
• The Potential of Young People in the Region to Develop Sustainable, Positively Impactful Social Entrepreneurship Ideas by Redirecting Profits to Social Needs. Moderator: Tatiana Bucos, Business Incubator Coordinator Speakers: Olena Bekh, Vitalie Crihana, Alexandru Gîncu, and Vladimir Ternavschi.

The program includes three coffee breaks and a networking lunch, providing participants with numerous opportunities for collaboration and idea exchange.

About the Initiative: Supported by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, and other essential partners, the EU4Youth project “Better Development Through Social Entrepreneurship” aims to prepare over 2,100 young people with the resources needed to create significant societal and economic changes in their countries. Within this initiative, running from August 2023 to July 2025, special emphasis will be placed on social entrepreneurship and creating a conducive environment for its development.

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