Another 40 new jobs will be created in the Radom subregion thanks to the social economy. Over PLN 700,000 will be awarded to 11 new social enterprises whose business plans have been approved and implemented. This is the result of the activities of the Masovian Social Economy Support Center, whose mission is to help the unemployed, especially those from vulnerable social groups. The Masovian Social Economy Support Center (mOWES) has been run continuously by the Cooperation Fund Foundation since 2012. Last year, through its animation and advisory activities, it led to the creation of 90 new jobs in the Masovian Voivodeship. In the Radom subregion alone, it already contributed to the creation of 15 jobs last year, with five more awaiting formalization. With a total of 40 currently funded, this will reach the project’s maximum target of 60 jobs.
The latest, second recruitment drive for the “Incubation and Support of Social Economy in the Radom Subregion” project generated significant public interest. Fifteen initiative groups applied for funding. The social economy entities that received grants, in order of their scores, are:
“Polish Roads” Foundation, Robert Zaremba,
“Przyjaźni” Association for the Assistance of Disabled People,
Odrzywół Commune, Odrzywolska Region Cultural and Educational Association,
“Orzeł i Taszka” Association for Regional Development and Local Currency,
“Rodzina Razem 2015” Association,
“Zwierzogród” Foundation for Assistance and Zootherapy, Katarzyna Olbrych,
Jesus Christ Security Foundation, Radom Branch, Zbigniew Ciesielski,
“Razem” Association for the Assistance of Disabled People,
“KI” Creative Innovation Foundation,
“Follow Me” Foundation,
“Spirits of the Forest, Spirits of History” Foundation, Justyna Sztuka.
In total, these foundations, associations, and the local government applied for funds to create 55 jobs. The mOWES grant funding opportunities and substantive considerations allowed for 40 of them to be funded. The new social enterprises now face the registration and implementation stages. The planned activities focus on typically local services, such as catering, cleaning and renovation, housekeeping, advertising, and the sale of annual plants (the “Rodzina Razem 2015” Association, the Odrzywół Commune and the Odrzywolska Region Cultural and Educational Association, the “Razem” Association for Disabled People, and the “Polskie Drogi” Foundation). But new social enterprises also plan to conduct workshops on 3D printing and computer programming (KI Creative Innovation Foundation), provide business training (Follow Me Foundation), run a homeless shelter (Jesus Christ Security Foundation, Radom Branch), engage in handicrafts, sewing toys and bedding (Przyjaźni Association for the Assistance of Disabled Persons), historical reenactments (“Spirits of the Forest, Spirits of History” Foundation), and run a veterinary clinic (Zwierzogród Foundation for Aid and Zootherapy).
Daniel Prędkopowicz, manager of mOWES, highlights the business challenges facing new social enterprises: “Our role is to encourage, prepare the groundwork, train, and provide grant support at the start. Importantly, our assistance does not end there. A business advisor is in almost constant contact with social entrepreneurs during their initial period of operation. We also offer training, for example, assistance in This includes creating advertising materials, networking, and promoting good practices. This is a huge help for the long-term unemployed, especially those with disabilities. A good business idea and market research are the foundation for success. With mOWES support, it’s easier to achieve.
Ms. Katarzyna Olbrych from Zwierzogród describes the business plans for the new social enterprise: “We have a professional staff: two veterinarians (over 15 years of professional experience), an animal behaviorist, a psychotherapist, and a veterinary technician. The strategic product of the foundation’s income-generating activities will be an innovative stem cell treatment method for musculoskeletal disorders and chronic renal failure in animals. Dog sports (agility, bikejoring, coursing, canicrossing) are growing rapidly in Poland, and we will be one of the first clinics in Poland with a sports veterinary medicine profile. The foundation also intends to offer behavioral training and animal therapy.”
FabLab Radom is also a highly innovative venture. The organizers want it to become a center for local community, open to everyone, connecting generations. “The idea itself was born at a trade fair, where we were approached by older, experienced engineers with no familiarity with computer techniques, or young designers with no practical experience. We plan for kids to learn design here and have practical classes, while adults can participate in various workshops. We have established preliminary cooperation with the University of Technology and Humanities in Radom, so students may be able to complete projects that are part of their bachelor’s or master’s theses. Ultimately, students will be able to register in the FabLab and then use various machines and computer stations independently,” says Karolina Domagała from the Creative Innovation Foundation KI, the project’s author. Initial plans include 3D printing workshops, an electronics station equipped with soldering stations, a sewing zone, a carpentry workshop, and a photography zone (to choose from). “Every new job for people without means is worth its weight in gold. We are happy with innovative ideas, we support them, and we support all our partners equally,” adds Daniel Prędkopowicz, manager. mOWES.
The Masovian Social Economy Support Center (mOWES) in Radom welcomes everyone interested in the social economy. mOWES’s assistance is aimed, on the one hand, at anyone remote from the labor market, primarily people with disabilities, the long-term unemployed, those under 30 or over 50, those recovering from homelessness or addiction, former prisoners, the mentally ill, and others. We also support local leaders and representatives of non-governmental organizations. We welcome collaboration with local government units, businesses, and other entities—such as sports clubs, parishes, community centers, etc.—as well as entities dedicated to social assistance and professional reintegration, such as social integration centers and clubs (CIS, KIS), Vocational Activity Centers (ZAZ), Occupational Therapy Workshops (WTZ), and more. More information can be found at www.mowes.pl.
Contact:
Masovian Social Economy Support Center, Plac Stare Miasto 2. Office hours are on Mondays from 9am to 1pm, on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm or on Thursdays from 1pm to 6pm. Contact: Agnieszka Bulska – animator in the Radom subregion, tel. +48 600 923 287, abulska@cofund.org.pl).
