The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), in cooperation with IEC Tehnopolis and partners, held the RISE Local Forum on September 25 in Podgorica. The Forum brought together representatives of institutions, civil society, the private sector, and young social entrepreneurs. Its main goal was to foster dialogue on the development of social entrepreneurship as a tool for youth employment, community empowerment, and regional cooperation.
The program included opening remarks, a presentation of successful RISE alumni, a panel discussion titled “The Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Montenegro”, and an interactive workshop focused on identifying challenges and opportunities for young social entrepreneurs.
In his opening address, Edin Koljenović, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office, stated:
“The RISE Forum is also an opportunity to remind ourselves what it truly means to invest in young people: not only to provide them with resources, but to open doors to knowledge, networks, experience, and visibility. Because we know that success does not come by itself – it requires a community that believes in you. And that is exactly what we are building here. Today we are closing one cycle. It is time to draw lessons, to celebrate successes, but also to lay even stronger foundations for the steps ahead.”
H.E. Anne Marie Maskay, French Ambassador to Montenegro, highlighted the importance of such initiatives, expressing regret that the project is nearing its end but stressing that its legacy will continue to inspire future cooperation.
Anđela Nikčević, Project Manager at IEC Tehnopolis, underlined the transformative effect of working directly with young entrepreneurs: “Supporting their growth has also strengthened our communities, proving that social entrepreneurship is not only about business, but about building bridges of solidarity.”
Ardita Bonatti, RISE Project Manager, presented key achievements from the six-year project. She noted that RISE had already supported 682 young social entrepreneurs during the ideation phase and 108 teams during the incubation phase. Among them, 72 teams received grants totaling €180,000, while 108 young entrepreneurs were supported with €54,000 for regional mobility, enabling them to exchange experiences across the Western Balkans. Over the years, RISE delivered more than 30 training sessions, 180 mentoring sessions, and 130 coaching sessions, along with a series of bootcamps in Sarajevo, Tirana, Bečići, and online in 2025.
The RISE Local Forum in Podgorica was part of a wider regional effort to strengthen the social entrepreneurship ecosystem and provide young people with opportunities to become active drivers of social and economic change in the Western Balkans.
