This Erasmus+ Capacity-Building project explored how social entrepreneurship can serve as a tool for empowering young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Coordinated by the Bosnian NGO Zdravo da Ste from banja Luka in partnership with the ORA Network members, the initiative involved organisations from seven countries across the EU and Western Balkans.

Structured into four main phases, the project followed the ORA methodology: Observe, Rethink, Act. In Vasto, Italy, participants explored innovative social enterprise models and youth inclusion strategies. The seminar in Niš, Serbia, provided space to share good practices, legal frameworks, and tools developed by each partner. Between March and June, local incubator workshops were held in all partner countries to generate social enterprise ideas tailored to each context.

A training course in Banja Luka enabled participants to transform these ideas into actionable business plans while strengthening their skills in mentoring and support for youth-led initiatives. The final event, a conference on social entrepreneurship, connected participants with real-world examples and encouraged further cooperation. Job shadowing placements and an online toolkit with case studies and recommendations were developed to ensure continuity and broader impact.

The project’s key outputs include a handbook, online toolkit (https://osets.weebly.com/), and a strengthened transnational network of youth workers ready to use social entrepreneurship as a strategy for youth empowerment and sustainable community development.

---