Social entrepreneurs emphasise long-term sustainability instead of short-term gains. Their primary focus is to maximise benefits for society and the environment by implementing innovative approaches to key challenges. They operate social businesses or organisations that are a mixture of non-profits and for-profits in areas such as energy efficiency, education, waste management, health, education, youth and rural development.

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, an affiliate organisation of the World Economic Forum, conducts the search and selection of social entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Selected social entrepreneurs are connected to the world’s business, political and media leaders through the events and initiatives of the World Economic Forum. The winners join the global network of outstanding social entrepreneurs of the Schwab Foundation. The search and selection process for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year in Central and Eastern Europe was established in partnership with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The Regional Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Central and Eastern Europe
Zoran Puljić – Mozaik Foundation – Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the post-war period, an exploding number of civil society organizations evolved from foreign donor funds. Mozaik stresses the importance of mobilising local resources to strengthen the confidence and self-reliance of the communities. It co-finances tangible improvements in local communities such as roads, water supplies, street lights and local heritage sites. Mozaik works with community members to identify their biggest needs and mobilize local volunteers, as well as locally available financing and materials.