Emerging Social Enterprises in Romania

A new breed of social entrepreneurs is coming up in Romania to add to the ongoing efforts of the state to reach out to the economically and socially weaker sections of the society. The economic challenges faced by the country have forced the government to pursue austerity measures that have adversely impacted a number of social services for the needy people. A social enterprise called Rotract Triumph Club recently organized a full day event called Rotract Sparks to highlight the need to support the needy sections of the population through social entrepreneurship.

One of the newest examples of social entrepreneurship at work in Romania is set by the Motivation Romania Foundation that was established in 1995. It has recently opened a Motivation Medical Recovery Clinic, which runs as a social enterprise. It charges normal rates to patients who can afford the services, and keeps a percentage of the revenues to provide free treatment to financially weak and physically challenged patients.

Another social organization called WWF Romania is running a campaign to preserve the country's virgin forest wealth. To raise awareness about protecting the forests, the organization is mobilizing the support of general public through a public petition. More than 100,000 people have already signed the petition within a month. The petition calls for the preservation of 250,000 hectares of forest land and protection for 13,000 species that inhabit these forests. The petition will be handed over to the Ministry of Environment, which it hopes will act under public pressure to save the forests.

Iulian Vacarean of the Beneva Association runs an innovative social enterprise to improve the lives of the disadvantages people in Romania. His enterprise has recently been able to raise EUR 30,000 simply through selling lemonade, a healthy and natural drink. The funds raised through this sale are helping open a new facility at the Marie Curie Hospital in the country. In the past too, Vacarean's enterprising efforts helped transform Matasari Street, formerly the scene of rampant criminal activity, into a cultural hub.

Photo Credit: Eastop