PULSE Balkans, The Regional Youth Cooperation Office and Nešto Više Celebrate Fifth Anniversary of RISE Project
Sarajevo, October 18th – PULSE Balkans, in partnership with RYCO and Nešto Više, recently marked the fifth anniversary of the RISE (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs), a project supported by partners including the Agence Française de Développement, the European Union, the RYCO and the French-German Youth Office (FGYO). The project aims to open new spaces of reconciliation for the youth of the Western Balkans through social entrepreneurship.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from key partners and supporters of the RISE Project. French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. François Delmas, emphasized France’s commitment to deepening its engagement in the region. Ms. Lorette Cambiancia, Assistant manager at PULSE Balkans, highlighted the project impact across the region, underscoring its dual influence in strengthening both incubators and individual entrepreneurs. Mr. Adem Lisičić, manager at Nešto Više, highlighted the stages of the RISE Journey—from ideation to full incubation—underlining the project support for young entrepreneurs. Mr. Nikola Kandić, head of RYCO LBO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, spoke to the transformative power of reconciliation, underscoring how RISE brings youth together across the Western Balkans to foster unity through social entrepreneurship.
A detailed presentation highlighted RISE’s significant accomplishments over the past five years, underscoring its transformative impact on the region’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem. The project has collaborated with six local support structures to build capacity and strengthen resources for social innovation. Through the RISE program, young social entrepreneurs receive mentorship and tools to address critical social issues, with alumni making substantial contributions in fields such as education, environmental sustainability, and community development—demonstrating RISE’s enduring influence on communities throughout the Western Balkans.
A panel, moderated by Adem Lisičić, showcased four inspiring RISE alumni and their impactful ventures:
- Bus On Time: Kenan Gutić introduced his idea of application that would give real time information of bus travels in Tuzla.
- NukleVrt: Tamara Miljić was here to present her organisation that aims to grow organic food in Teslić.
- Mingling: Ivana Radić highlighted her activities aimed at connecting people in a physical space and encouraging social interactions and relationships
- For All Generations: Danis Seferovic discussed about his company’s idea, providing services such as medicine delivery, food delivery, paying bills for people in need, whether they are old or sick.
Each participant gave an impressive overview of their efforts to meet the needs of the community and their aspirations to promote a favourable environment for social enterprises in the Balkans.
“I think [RISE] is one of the best opportunities that you can take and create your own future, not just for yourself, but also for your friends and your families. Because we’re not just building businesses here. We are, as my colleagues mentioned multiple times, we’re doing social business.” – Tamara Miljić from NukleVrt
The Mingling team organized a dynamic networking session, facilitating meaningful interactions among attendees. The event was structured to ensure that all participants had the opportunity to connect with one another, creating an interactive atmosphere for open dialogue and exchange.
This event is testament to the significant impact of the RISE project, showcasing its role in fostering innovation and addressing community challenges. It also reaffirms the unwavering commitment of Nešto Više, RYCO and PULSE Balkans to nurturing social entrepreneurship and driving sustainable progress across the Western Balkans.