The III International Conference on Inclusive Business Development: on the way to sustainable financing hosted by PLEDDG took place in Ivano-Frankivsk on 22-23 November. The city was not a random choice as it successfully supports the idea of inclusive business and creates favorable conditions for its further development.
It has become an annual tradition in PLEDDG to gather representatives of embassies, authorities, public, entrepreneurs and experts in order to draw attention to social entrepreneurship issues in Ukraine. During the Conference the participants focused their discussions on sustainability of social business and implementation of inclusive approach in private, municipal and public sectors. They also had an opportunity to take a closer look at the examples of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine as well as successful local initiatives, get familiar with practical cases and discover best practices of inclusive business models implementation.
The event took place in the innovation center Promprylad.Renovation which works within the frames of impact investing model. Moreover, the Center is a prominent example of cooperation among government, business and public.
During Panel discussion How does an NGO launch a social business? speakers addressed the role and motivation of local authorities in the field of inclusive entrepreneurship development. Raphael Costa, Manager, Business Center in the City of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada presented Canadian experience of municipalities and social business representatives’ cooperation.
Encouraging women entrepreneurship is an important factor of improving living standards in any country. The issue was broadly discussed at the Impact of Women’s Entrepreneurship on Economic Development panel.
The owners of successful social enterprises in Ukraine also shared their vision of the inclusive business development in country.
The support of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine is an important issue on the national agenda. The development of business where the owner is not only concentrated on the income and profitability but solves specific social problems can foster economic growth. PLEDDG emphasizes this sphere by spreading best practices and providing methodological recommendations for the development of inclusive and social business.