On March 10-11, the fourth of eight planned training sessions for OWES business advisors took place at the Holiday Park Hotel conference center. The training was organized by the Cooperation Fund Foundation as part of the “Integrated Social Economy Support System” project. The training sessions are designed to provide substantive support to staff at Social Economy Support Centers (OWES) applying for accreditation and providing business support to Social Economy Entities (SEOs). OWES business advisors participating in the training have the opportunity to deepen the knowledge required for their positions and acquire or consolidate competencies, including those related to business plan development. Halfway through the training program, we can say that the training is well-received by participants and is meeting its objectives. In the mid-term survey, when asked whether the topics presented in the areas of business, marketing, and feedback instruments were useful for OWES advisors, the vast majority of participants responded that the topics presented were highly useful (highest on the scale), and that the presentation method combined practice and theory well. However, there is an expectation of more practical sessions, which will be fulfilled in the second part of the program, devoted to working on and defending a specific business plan.
The survey also asked about OWES advisors’ knowledge of the topic and practice related to the use of social clauses in public procurement – over 70% of participants did not have such knowledge, while among those who did, some declared only general knowledge of social clauses.
When asked whether it would be beneficial to offer training in business consulting for SEEs to an additional OWES employee to enhance OWES’s competences and competitiveness, 17 out of 20 responded affirmatively. This statement was supported by the following arguments:
“…the more qualified staff, the greater the competitiveness of OWES”
“…increasing staffing potential would expand the area of support for social cooperatives”
“…this would protect against staff turnover and enable replacements during leave”
“…would increase the stability and prestige of OWES”
“…would be a solution to the lack of qualified staff in the subregions”
“…would address the need to acquire qualified staff in the context of the social cooperatives’ policy in the 2020 perspective, would ensure the development of OWES staff”
“…would strengthen the effectiveness of OWES activities, etc.,”
All these comments are very valuable to the project implementers, and we sincerely thank the participants for them.
