Croatian Pilot project
The pilot project intervention in Duga Resa was focused on the implementation of selected instruments developed within the Toolbox, an online collection of tools and instruments, in order to develop recommendations for better support for the promotion of social entrepreneurship in rural or disadvantaged areas.
Through key activities, a nine-month pilot support program for social entrepreneurs and their business ideas and projects with a positive social and / or environmental impact was implemented. It covered the period from June 2020 to March 2021. The DelFin project through the support program sought to strengthen their capacities and the capacities of the local community and provided professional, technical and mentoring support and education tailored to the specifics of social entrepreneurship, rural business and business management during and after the crisis caused by COVID-19
The result of the activities of the first phase of the pilot project program is the creation of a unique document, or powerpoint presentation of each participant as a combination of business plan and sales pitch. The second phase of the pilot program for social entrepreneurs included 1 on 1 mentoring in the field of business finance, which relied on the developed business models of the first phase. A mentoring plan was developed for each participant, on the basis of which they were provided with professional assistance in defining and drafting a plan on what is necessary for the realization of their business venture, that is what they must invest and what are the costs of obtaining these funds and planned sources of investment funds.
They deal with the improvement and promotion of the Plaščanska Valley as a tourist destination, care for cultural and natural assets, protection of cultural, humanitarian, health and environmental interests, promotion of cultural, sports, recreational and educational-research activities.
Their work also includes the purchase of local and domestic resources, the production of herbal products and cosmetics. With care and love for the people of this area, especially those who need support in the placement of handicrafts, tourist services and products work to connect and achieve cooperation with civil and other organizations in Croatia, Europe and the world, and seek to improve the quality of life of children, youth and adults in the local community.
Isidora Ralić, President of the Classroom Association, participated in professional lectures for social entrepreneurs as part of the implementation of the CE 1374 DelFin project, "Development of financial ecosystems for the promotion of social entrepreneurship in rural regions."
The business model that was developed as part of the DelFin pilot project is related to the realization of a plant manufactory in the Plaščanska valley. The association wanted to develop an educational-research manufactory of herbal products in Plaščanska valley, which would be a self-sustaining platform for the education of young people and adults, employment opportunities, and the promotion of Plaščanska valley as a tourist destination.
The idea and concept of the project is to support social entrepreneurship initiatives that change the social picture and develop the individual, society and community as a whole and which will be developed to the extent suitable for presentation to future investors.
Their concrete results during the project are:
- Two new hires
- Development of a project plan and financial model for a new product line
- Arrangement of business space in the center of Plaški
- Landscaping for permanent plant plantations
- Connecting with a natural cosmetics laboratory
- Post fundraising campaigns on GoGetFunding
"It is time to implement the acquired knowledge even more and achieve something good and high quality in our community." Isidora Ralić, president of the association "Classroom of Tradition and Creativity" from Plaški.
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