Prishtina, 28 October 2025 – The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), in partnership with the Balkan Green Foundation (BGF) and with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), hosted the RISE Local Forum in Prishtina, gathering representatives from institutions, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, alongside young social entrepreneurs from across Kosovo.
The event provided a vibrant platform for dialogue on the role of social entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development, youth employment, and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Through high-level addresses, engaging discussions, and inspiring testimonials from RISE alumni, participants explored how social enterprises can serve as engines of innovation and social impact.
Opening the Forum, H.E. Mr. Oliver Guérot, French Ambassador to Kosovo*, emphasized France’s long-standing commitment to supporting youth-led innovation and regional cooperation, while Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Office in Kosovo, reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to advancing inclusive economic growth through social entrepreneurship. DHoM Christian Böttcher from the German Embassy also highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and sustainability principles as key elements of a resilient economy.
Dardana Fetahu, Acting Head of RYCO’s Local Branch Office in Kosovo, welcomed the participants and underlined the role of RISE in empowering young people to transform creative ideas into concrete, socially responsible solutions. Ardita Bonatti, RYCO Project Manager, reflected on the achievements of RISE throughout the region, noting how the program has supported hundreds of young innovators in developing their ideas and building cooperation across borders.
Looking back at six years of RISE, Bonatti presented the program’s main outcomes:
- 682 young social entrepreneurs supported during the ideation stage.
- 108 teams incubated, of which 72 teams received grants worth €180,000.
- 108 young people supported with €54,000 for regional mobility, enabling exchange and cooperation across the Western Balkans.
- More than 30 trainings, 180 mentoring sessions, and 130 coaching sessions delivered, as well as regional bootcamps held in Sarajevo, Tirana, Bečići, and online in 2025.
In his remarks, Dardan Sejdiu, Executive Director of the Balkan Green Foundation, highlighted the growing importance of social entrepreneurship in addressing local environmental and social challenges:
“Social entrepreneurs are proving that business can be both profitable and purposeful. They are shaping a new economy based on responsibility, solidarity, and sustainability.”
The day continued with two dynamic panel discussions. The Advocacy Panel on Social Entrepreneurship, moderated by Bonatti, brought together Zef Dedaj from KIESA, Vlora Elshani from UNDP Kosovo, and Gentrit Berisha, Professor at the University of Prishtina. Panelists discussed the current state of social entrepreneurship in Kosovo, the need for stronger institutional support, and strategies to promote entrepreneurship as a driver for community development and youth empowerment.
The following session, focused on ESG Principles in Social Entrepreneurship, was moderated by Fiona Bakija from Balkan Green Foundation and featured Besian Demiri from Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo, Florin Lata, Partner at Vokshi & Lata, and Arbnor Demaj, Founder of ReUse and Lis Belegu from Balkan Green Foundation. The discussion explored how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles can enhance the impact and sustainability of social enterprises, bridging the gap between the private sector and social innovation.
Closing the event, RISE alumni, Arbnor Demaj and Diona Kusari, shared personal testimonials, offering inspiring insights into their journeys as young social entrepreneurs. Their stories reflected the broader mission of RISE, to equip youth across the Western Balkans with the tools, knowledge, and networks to turn ideas into meaningful action.
The RISE Local Forum in Prishtina once again demonstrated how youth-driven social entrepreneurship can foster cooperation, inclusion, and resilience, shaping a more sustainable and connected future for the Western Balkans.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
