What is a social enterprise?

In the Czech Republic, organizations (s.r.o., z.s., o.p.s., etc.) can call themselves social enterprises if they fulfill 5 characteristics/principles of social enterprises. These were defined by MPSV ČR in cooperation with TESSEA. Sdružení Neratov, z. s. is a non-profit organization whose main activity is providing social services. Social entrepreneurship is a secondary economic activity that supports this main mission.

1. A social enterprise fulfills a socially beneficial goal

Sdružení Neratov, z. s. has committed to fulfilling this principle in the area of employment and social inclusion of people disadvantaged in the labor market. The foundation of this approach is employing more than 30% of people disadvantaged in the labor market out of the total number of employees.

2. A social enterprise creates social benefits

Jedním z cílů Sdružení Neratov, z. s. je integrace znevýhodněných a postižených osob do běžného života. Celkově sdružení zaměstnává 250 zaměstnanců, z nichž je více než 160 s nějakým druhem postižení. Tato skutečnost nás opravňuje k nabízení tzv. náhradního plnění. Všichni zaměstnanci jsou zapojeni do chodu a směrování podniku. Na pravidelných poradách jsou probírány finanční výsledky firmy a další záležitosti týkající se sociálního podniku.

3. A social enterprise also brings economic benefits

Every social enterprise must commit to reinvesting 51% of any profits, particularly in business development and socially beneficial goals. This principle is also enshrined in our founding documents and will be subject to scrutiny by the relevant authorities.

The management, decision-making, and administration of the company are independent of any external founder or owner.

Revenue from the sale of products and/or services and/or goods accounts for at least 30% of the total revenue of the enterprise.

4. A social enterprise also demonstrates environmental benefits

Another aspect that social enterprises must fulfill is environmental benefit. We participate in toner recycling for printers. We also use double-sided printing to the maximum extent possible. We strive to minimize energy consumption in our activities. We sort waste at all our workplaces. We use group transport for employees to and from work, which means that we do not produce as much CO2 emissions as if everyone commuted individually.

5. A social enterprise actively contributes to local benefits

Social enterprises are primarily focused on meeting local demand. That is why we mainly operate in Neratov and its surrounding area – Bartošovice v Orl. h., Žamberk, and Králíky, which are further away, but are the only sheltered workshops in this area. We cooperate with surrounding villages and towns. We share our experience with other socially oriented organizations.