After seven months of intensive work and numerous activities (workshops, incubation and mentoring processes, and presentation to the jury) during which they worked on the development of their entrepreneurship ideas with impact , the finalists prepared the final presentation and the expert jury chose the winners of SIA Croatia 2021.

Briefly about the history of the program

The Social Impact Award program was launched in 2009. at the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Faculty of Economics in Vienna and is implemented in partnership with Impact Hub Vienna and the Erste Foundation.

SIA focuses on young people aged 16 to 30 who are willing to contribute to work on social change and be part of the development of social entrepreneurship in Croatia and the world. The program is implemented in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa and includes more than 8,000 students and young people a year.

SIA in Croatia

This year’s seventh edition of the Social Impact Award Croatia was conducted by the Croatian Office for Creativity and Innovation (HUKI) , and the main project partners are Erste Bank, SAP, European Parliament and ACT Printlab and international partners ERSTE Stiftung , WU Vienna and Impact Hub .

Prior to the process of applying for social entrepreneurial ideas, a series of workshops were held where participants had the opportunity to learn about generating ideas and business planning. The workshops gathered more than 350 young people and part of the workshops was organized by the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, Osijek, Split and VERN University.

To participate in the incubation part of SIA Croatia, young people were able to submit any ideas that solve social problems and have a positive impact on the community.

“Young people are still not aware of how good ideas they have and how much impact they can make by implementing their ideas. I believe that for all projects and young people themselves, this project is a springboard for further experience that will help them further develop. The incubation process, mentoring, young people have gained basic knowledge and experience over the past seven months to turn their intentions into deeds. implementation and realization of projects from which the whole society benefits “, he said Kristijan Margetić , national coordinator of SIA Croatia.

Three teams go further, and an audience award was given

An expert jury composed of experienced (social) entrepreneurs, university lecturers, business advisors and program partners declared the projects ” UniCompoST “, ” Once upon a time in Croatia ” and ” 1000 bags – 1 reason ” the best.

UniCompoST

They are developing devices that combine on-site biological waste treatment and indoor gardening . As a result, the product “C-Eco for Home” was created – a small and compact device, educational in nature, which introduces users in a practical and interesting way to the world of biowaste management, circular economy and sustainable development.

Once upon a time in Croatia

An educational platform that helps cultural and historical enthusiasts and lovers of good stories and nature to get to know themselves, their roots and folk wisdom through Slavic mythology , beliefs, legends and old, local, stories.

1000 bags = 1 reason

A project that combines care for the environment, care for the elderly and care for the homeless. The idea is to repurpose plastic bags to reduce their circulation in society; plastic bags are knitted in workshops involving the elderly; and the final product are sleeping pads that will be distributed to the homeless to make it easier for them to stay out for a long time and mitigate its impact.

The winners were awarded cash prizes in the amount of EUR 1,000, free participation in the international SIA2021 conference and mentoring support.

Also, an audience award was provided, which could vote for their favorites via our website, and the audience award was won by the “Aj na basketball” project.

“We congratulate all the teams that have worked diligently in the last few months to develop, implement and implement their projects. We hope that for all participants this is just the first step in social entrepreneurship and I believe that we will soon see the fruits of the work of all the participating teams. Congratulations to all the winners and I wish all the teams good luck in their future work. The SIA is always at your disposal. This year’s project has come to an end and we are immediately turning to 2022 and the new challenges that lie ahead, and we are already looking forward to the new edition and new applications. “He concluded Kristijan Margetić.

The final of the Social Impact Award competition was held online due to the epidemiological situation.