The First Smolensk International Forum for Social Entrepreneurs

The rehabilitation center for the children and adolescents with disabilities "Vishenki" hosted the First Smolensk International Forum for Social Entrepreneurs, aimed at strengthening the social sphere of the region, developing the infrastructure of social investments and improving the quality of life of the population.

The Forum was attended by Head of the Social Development Department Yulia Novikova, Head of International Relations of the Administrative Office of the regional administration Yevgeny Zakharenkov, Chairman of the Public Chamber Yuri Rebrik, managers of socially oriented businesses and nonprofit organizations.

The forum addressed the issues of developing the infrastructure of social investments (experiences, opportunities and prospects), of the need to develop social entrepreneurship in Russia and in Smolensk region in particular. Also the Russian and international experience in solving social problems was discussed in detail.

Having heard and discussed the reports from the representatives of the regional authorities, private businesses, the Forum participants stressed the undeniable importance of the broad discussion of the problems of developing social entrepreneurship and investments. Modern social entrepreneurship is an activity aimed at mitigating or solving social problems in the society.

Today it is the social policy of the region that many Smolensk businesses take into consideration when investing their funds. Their priority is to solve social problems in close cooperation and collaboration with the authorities responsible for the implementation of the social policy in Smolensk region.

All the representatives of the social partnership expressed the unanimous opinion that the First Smolensk International Forum social entrepreneurs has become one of the most important events in the development of the social entrepreneurship in Smolensk region.