“Social entrepreneurship, as an industry, is getting successfully inculcated in our country, playing a special role in social and economic development. For better outcomes, it is important that along with the informal development of the hereof industry, it shall be higher recognized and valued and thus, take joint steps to further development”, - MP Mariam Lashkhi stated at the event dedicated to the social entrepreneurship situation and challenges with the discussion topic as “Social Entrepreneurship in Georgia – Current Situation, Challenges and Initiatives on Legislative Recognition”.

In her welcome speech, M. Lashkhi informed the attendees about three working groups working on the legal milieu, financial milieu and accessibility to finances, and education and awareness. NGOs and state agencies were actively engaged in the process.

The round table event in the Parliament was attended by MPs, executive authority members, civil organizations, social enterprises, donor organizations and independent experts discussing the current state and challenges in this sphere; the attendees outlined certain solution plans.

The discussion was held on: the essence and importance of social entrepreneurship; international tendencies of state support for social entrepreneurship; support of social entrepreneurship providing the international commitments of Georgia; social entrepreneurship in Georgia – local context and challenges; the importance of legislative recognition of social entrepreneurship; initiatives for the legal regulation of social entrepreneurship.

The parties agreed on further cooperation on the hereof issues. The event was initiated and organized by M. Lashkhi and LEPL Research Center of Parliament in co-participation with CSI, CSRDG, and SEA.