April 22 – Smart Kolektiv as a member of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIS), participated in a session held in an extended format with the presence of representatives of business associations, companies, and civil society organizations. During the meeting, discussions focused on support for social enterprises, the development of responsible business practices, and the improvement of policies that contribute to balancing work and parenthood.
The session was attended by Željko Mitkovski, Project Manager at Smart kolektiv and Deputy President of the CCIS Council for Corporate Social Responsibility, who, together with Emilija Dolovački from Impact Europe, presented the results of research on social enterprises in the Western Balkans region, conducted by Impact Europe with the support of the European Union. Around 70 organizations from across the region took part in the research, which identified key challenges faced by social enterprises, including limited access to finance, low public visibility, the absence of social finance instruments, lack of legal recognition, bureaucratic procedures, and the small size of domestic markets.
It was particularly emphasized that social enterprises in Serbia still rely predominantly on grants, given the absence of a legal framework for microcredit schemes. Respondents also highlighted that personal networks are often crucial for visibility, while investors identified a lack of strategic planning as one of the challenges within the sector. During the meeting, the establishment of an Impact Community was also announced, open to all stakeholders committed to impact investing and social impact initiatives.
The session also featured examples of good practice, including Intens doo Novi Sad for implementing work-life balance and family-friendly policies, as well as MOBA Botanical Skincare, winner of the VIRTUS award in the small and medium-sized enterprises category.
Through the programme “More Opportunities through Family-Friendly Policies,” implemented by the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation and the UN Population Fund, ten companies have so far introduced various benefits for working parents — ranging from flexible working hours and paid leave to support programmes for pregnant employees and new parents.
The gathering also presented the winners of the VIRTUS Award for Corporate Philanthropy. Mirna Cerović from Botanical Skincare introduced the “Support Super Girls” campaign, focused on providing scholarships for the development of girls’ talents, for which the company received the award in the SME category.
Tamara Mrkalj, President of the Association “Somborske šnajderke,” spoke about the transformational corridor and the economic integration of women through social entrepreneurship. She highlighted opportunities for collaboration with this social enterprise through inclusion in supply chains, financing the development of new production units, and providing expert and mentoring support.
The CCIS Council for Corporate Social Responsibility is an advisory body bringing together representatives of businesses, public institutions, foundations, and civil society organizations recognized for their commitment to the principles of socially responsible business.
