RARS organised a National Knowledge Transfer Workshop

The Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska (RARS), in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Srpska as an associated strategic partner, organised a National Knowledge Transfer Workshop titled “How Local Authorities Can Support Social Enterprises” within the Danube4SEecosystem project. The workshop was held on 29 April 2026 at the Administrative Centre of the Government of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka, as part of the conference “Development of Social Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Srpska: Experiences, Perspectives and Strengthening the Local Support System”.

The workshop was delivered through two sessions:

-          How to encourage socially responsible public procurement at the local level, and

-          Strengthening the capacities of local authorities to support the development of social enterprises.

Through active discussion, workshop participants put forward concrete proposals and recommendations to improve policies and decision-making processes, with the aim of further developing social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Srpska and the countries of the Danube region.

During the conference, the activities of the Danube4SEecosystem project were presented, along with the role and contribution of the RARS and the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Srpska in strengthening and further developing social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Srpska.

Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the experiences of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in developing social entrepreneurship, as well as examples of good practice in employment within social enterprises, presented by the Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Srpska.

In addition, the Union of Social Enterprises of the Republic of Srpska was presented, along with two social enterprises: “Patriot” from Bijeljina and the Veterans’ Cooperative “ZaDruga” from Banja Luka.

The conference was attended by representatives of ministries, social enterprises, local public authorities, local development agencies, business support organisations, non-governmental organisations, universities, as well as other relevant institutions.

An exhibition was also organised as part of the conference, where social enterprises showcased their products and services, while the Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Srpska and the Union of Social Enterprises of the Republic of Srpska presented their activities.