Social entrepreneurship is gaining more and more prominence and represents a topic of debate for the Romanian press, in the context where interest in what is called the third sector has increased.
Since MKOR has extensive experience and a close collaboration with social entrepreneurship, Corina Cimpoca, the agency’s founder, accepted the invitation to speak about this topic on the business television station Canal 33.
Social Entrepreneurship in Romania
The concept of social business began to take shape in Romania in the last five or six years, after several government funds were launched in the social economy area.
Currently, more and more companies are willing to invest in social businesses, which function exactly like a business but also have a social component, by hiring people with disabilities or the long-term unemployed.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Labor (MMFPSV), in 2016 there were over 10,000 legal entities, in various forms, active in the social economy and which can obtain the social enterprise certificate that offers them the possibility to access European funds.
Only 1.7% of Romania’s employees work in the social economy, well below the EU average of 6.5%.
Nevertheless, the perspective of social businesses as a long-term solution for Romania is viewed with optimism.
They create jobs and indirect income, bring funds to the local budget, and, at the same time, address social issues.
The Study Conducted by MKOR Regarding Social Enterprises in Romania
As a consulting expert, Corina brought to the discussion during the show several figures resulting from the study that MKOR conducted at the end of 2016. The study shows Romanians’ openness towards supporting social causes.
The report Social Enterprises in Romania, from the Consumers’ Perspective can be downloaded for free here.
What will you learn from the report?
- Would final consumers be willing to pay more for products or services coming from social enterprises?
- If so, how much? If not, why?
- What perception do business clients have of social enterprises?
- Do they differentiate between a social enterprise and other types of organizations when it comes to suppliers?
Bunicel – A Success Example of Social Entrepreneurship
In the studio, the debate was joined by Mihai Zaharia, an entrepreneur of a successful social business with whom we have worked. Mihai is the manager of the social business Bunicel, which produces sugar-free jams and traditional preserves in Costești, Argeș.
Mihai’s business was named a winner in the second edition of the Fabricat în Țara lui Andrei competition, which came as an additional reward for our dedication.
Mihai repeatedly brought up the importance of a business plan, without which no entrepreneur can grow their business, regardless of whether it is part of the social economy or the general one.
Furthermore, Mihai also considered the attention paid to product quality, innovation, and, above all, customer satisfaction to be vital.
MKOR’s Collaboration with Bunicel
For Bunicel, MKOR Consulting conducted a series of focus groups, accompanied by tasting sessions to test a new product on the market, as well as to determine the satisfaction provided by the products already in the Bunicel portfolio.
The focus groups accompanied by tasting sessions targeted consumers of natural sweets in Romania. These sessions took place over two weeks at the MKOR Consulting headquarters.
The results of the focus groups and tasting sessions led to the choice of the recipe that is now part of the Bunicel portfolio and to establishing the consumer’s willingness to consume certain products.
Would you like to become a successful social entrepreneur?
Have we sparked your interest in social entrepreneurship? Or do you already have an idea of what your own business that supports the social economy would look like?
MKOR is at your disposal with expertise and experience. Check out our portfolio to see for yourself and we look forward to meeting you for a coffee to discuss social entrepreneurship at length. Leave us a message here!
You can watch the full show here
