The European Union and CSRDG award the young ambassadors of social entrepreneurship

On March 24th, the best young ambassador of social entrepreneurship was selected for the first time at the Orbeliani Palace, organized by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) with the support of the European Union and in partnership with the Presidential Administration of Georgia.

CSRDG selected young ambassadors of social entrepreneurship from four regions: Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Shida Kartli. The objective of the young ambassadors was to introduce social entrepreneurship to the youth and residents in rural areas as a unique approach to overcome local social, economic, and environmental challenges in a sustainable and long-term manner.

The President of Georgia Mrs. Salome Zurabishvili, the Ambassador of the European Union in Georgia H.E. Mr. Paweł Herczyński, and the Executive Director of CSRDG Mrs. Eka Urushadze addressed the guests attending the final stage of the program and the awarding ceremony of the best young ambassador at the Orbeliani Palace.

“It is time that social entrepreneurship is given this recognition. It is a powerful concept to drive social, environmental and economic change yet keeping individuals, communities and society as a collective at the core. This is teamed with the motivation, initiative and engagement of the young ambassadors who are driving this by engaging with their communities, the impact of which has the power to be tremendous on civic engagement and cohesion. The European Union is very pleased to support such actions” – said Paweł Herczyński, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia.

“The only choice of our country is the European future, and on the way to Europe, our youth plays a crucial role – they are a force that brings positive changes. Engaging young people in our program as ambassadors of social entrepreneurship is particularly important for promoting the development of social entrepreneurship in Georgia”, – noted the executive director of CSRDG Mrs. Eka Urushadze.

The young ambassadors presented the outcomes of their projects to the guests. They worked with internally displaced persons, different ethnic groups, and youth living in villages and remote areas. More than 30 meetings and 300 young people that nowadays know more about social entrepreneurship – these are the results of 6 months of their activities.

The International Center for Peace and Integration (ICPI) awarded the best ambassador with a study visit to the Czech Republic. Social concept store Eski, social enterprises – Dediko and Tene, Hotel Sevsamora, Alte University, Palitra Holding, and Palitra L awarded the ambassadors of social entrepreneurship as well.

The young ambassadors’ program has been implemented within the project „Advancing Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable and Inclusive Society“ led by the CSRDG with the financial support of the European Union.

The purpose of the program is to: engage young people in overcoming social, economic, and environmental challenges by raising awareness on social entrepreneurship; reach out to people living in villages and remote areas and introduce the concept; develop project management and other necessary skills of young people.

At the award ceremony CSRDG announced the second stream of the program.

How to become a young ambassador of social entrepreneurship in your region? For detailed information, follow the link.

For additional information, please contact:
Mariam Japaridze, CSRDG, Mariam.japaridze@csrdg.ge, +995 555 10 10 40