If you’re between 18 and 35 years old, full of energy, dedication, and a desire to do something good for your community while earning money, RISE is the perfect opportunity for your success and growth! 

RISE – Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs is a free program for motivated and dedicated young people who are ready to invest time in learning and contributing to positive changes in their communities. 

If you have an inspiring or innovative idea on how to contribute to environmental protection, employment of vulnerable groups, women’s empowerment, rural development, education, or culture in your local community, apply to the RISE program! Participants will have the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in social entrepreneurship that will help them realize their idea and earn while doing something they believe in. 

The RISE program consists of two phases – ideation and incubation. During the 4-month ideation phase, you will develop your idea from scratch into a business model. On this journey, you will have the support of experts and mentors who will guide you through all the essential steps in starting a social enterprise. The two best teams from Serbia, and a total of 12 teams from the Western Balkans, will also receive additional financial and practical support to implement their ideas and enhance the development of their business during the incubation phase. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Who can apply? 

Teams of at least two young people (18 – 35 years old) from all over Serbia who are motivated and have time to work on developing their idea during the program and regularly attend training sessions and events (2 trainings per month). 

Learn more about the program and the participation criteria by clicking on this link.

How to apply? 

Apply by filling out the form at this link. 

When is the application deadline? 

Applications are open until September 30th at 11:59 PM! Updated on October 1 – Application deadline extended to October 7.

Got questions? 

If you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, feel free to contact us via this email. 

This is the fifth cycle of the RISE program, through which 508 entrepreneurs have developed 175 socially beneficial ideas, while 48 projects have received financial support, including Link in Bioska, Zajedničke niti, Soko kamp, Blatologija, Vožnjom do samostalnosti, Women on the way, Mountain Ways, and Izađi u bar from Serbia. 

RISE – Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs is a support program for young social entrepreneurs, implemented in Serbia by the organization Smart Kolektiv since 2019. The RISE project is supported by the Agence Française de Développement, European Union (EU), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ) and PULSE (Groupe SOS. RISE activities are implemented by six organizations from the Western Balkans: ARNO, Balkan Green Foundation, Nešto Više, Smart Kolektiv, IEC Tehnopolis, and Yunus Social Business Balkans.  

Learn more about the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs by following this link.