The „Alaturi de Voi” Romania Foundation, in the final of Social Economy Awards 2021

The „Alaturi de Voi” Romania Foundation, one of the most important promoters of the social economy at national and European level, has obtained the second place under the “Social Innovation” category at the Social Economy European Awards, the 2021 edition. ADV Romania is one of the partners offering its practical experience and got involved in the establishment of AFIN – the first non-banking financing institution dedicated to social enterprises.

The ADV Romania Foundation has obtained another European recognition of its efforts for the growth of the social economy, by having obtained the second place under the “Social Innovation” category at the 2021 Social Economy European Awards.

The competition was very tight. 118 applicants from 28 countries - 26 associations, 19 cooperatives, 9 foundations, 33 social enterprises and other 18 companies demonstrating the fundamental values of the social economy.

ADV Romania, the only Romanian social enterprise included among the finalists

The Social Economy Awards Gala was held at the Digital Center in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The awards were presented at a hybrid event, having as Master of Ceremonies Chris MM Gordon - President of the Irish Social Enterprise Network (socent.ie).

The Social Economy Awards jury nominated three finalists for three different categories: social innovation, digitalization, green transition.

The social economy model developed by the "Alaturi de Voi" Romania Foundation (ADV) won second place, participating in the final with Innatura from Germany - a social business that turns the over-stocks of large companies into social benefits and Needs Map from Turkey - a digital platform through which people with social needs can connect with people who can provide solutions and support. The grand prize went to Needs Map in Turkey.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate the potential of social economy enterprises and organizations, entrepreneurs, workers and social economy citizens to innovate and reinvent the future through collective action.

“We are very happy to have placed Romania on the European map of social entrepreneurship and that out of the 118 applications submitted in competition from all over Europe and the Eastern Partnership, the ADV Romania model attracted jury attention. We dedicate this award to all social entrepreneurs who bring inspiration, courage and build a better world every day! ADV Romania has been and will remain a promoter of the social economy in Romania, proving, day by day, that successful social enterprises can be developed and that disability can be transformed into ability", said Angela Achiței, president of the ”Alaturi de Voi” Romania Foundation.

In addition, ADV Romania was the only Romanian social enterprise among the finalists.

The Social Economy Awards Competition was organized by Social Economy Europe – a Brussels-based organization ensuring the secretariat of the European Parliament's Social Economy Group, the voice of the EU's 2.8 million social enterprises and the European institutions' strategic partner in creating public policies on the social economy.

About ADV Romania

The "Alaturi de Voi" Romania Foundation (ADV) is a social integration non-governmental organization, whose mission statement is the inclusion of people with disabilities and of other vulnerable groups. ADV Romania has established 3 social businesses in time, being declared the Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 within the EY Entrepreneur of The Year International Competition. To date, more than 150 people with disabilities have been employed in the social insertion enterprise owned by ADV - UtilDeco or placed on the labor market through the social enterprise JobDirect. It is also one of the few “grass root” organizations in Romania being involved in advocacy activities to create a favorable environment for the social economy in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.