Croatian partners in project +Resilient, Foundation for Partnership and Civil Society Development and Regional Coordinator for European Programmes and Funds of the Region of Istria organized the final local conference "Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in Istria: What and how should we do next?" in Pula on 7th April 2022.
This event gathered more than 50 participants, representatives of associations, institutions, local and regional government, representatives of educational and scientific sector and current and future social entrepreneurs and individuals who want to become social innovators. This conference was the occasion to present the Public Policy Proposal to support social innovation and social entrepreneurship development in Istria to key organizations and wider public developed by the two partners within +Resilient project. The document contains an analysis of the situation and conclusions and recommendations based on research and proposals of key organizations from Istria. The public policy proposal to support the development of social innovation and social entrepreneurship in Istria is the result of 4 years of participatory work of Regional Coordinator, Foundation Istria and all relevant stakeholders through project activities which involved over 140 different organizations from Istria and Croatia. A round table "What to do next?" was held, which gathered 13 experts from different fields and sectors relevant for social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Also, a Social Entrepreneurs Fair was held within the event. All participants agreed that a good eco system was created to support the development of social innovation and social entrepreneurship in Istria. Additionally, the conference ended with the initial meeting of the Social enrepreneureship Istrian Network. The non-formal network members agreed on next steps and responsibilities for the first quarter of the implementation of activities based on the presented public policy.