In June 2025, the Erasmus+ project “Empowering Youth Workers for Community-based Social Entrepreneurship” gathered passionate youth workers from across Europe in Yerevan, Armenia. Hosted by the Armenian State University of Economics, the training aimed to give participants the knowledge, skills, and confidence to design and lead mission-driven ventures that address local needs while ensuring long-term sustainability. It was a space where ideas, experiences, and visions for social change came together, guided by expert trainers and strengthened through international collaboration.
For Georgia, and particularly for Millennium Georgia, this project was highly relevant. In many parts of the country, social and economic challenges limit opportunities for young people, especially in rural areas and regions affected by past conflicts. Unemployment remains high, and communities often depend heavily on donor-funded initiatives that lack the financial stability to continue once funding ends. While there is a growing awareness of social entrepreneurship as a solution, many local leaders and young innovators do not yet have the tools to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. Before the training, the situation was marked by enthusiasm without a clear roadmap—a need for practical skills, tested models, and a mindset that balances social impact with economic viability.
The experience in Yerevan was transformative. The program began with workshops on the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, from identifying community needs to designing revenue models and measuring impact. Trainers emphasized that sustainability is not just about financial stability, but also about building partnerships, fostering inclusive participation, and creating long-term social value. This approach was new for many participants, showing that community engagement is as important as business planning.
Field visits to Armenian social enterprises left a lasting impression. Participants saw examples of initiatives that addressed unemployment, environmental issues, and cultural preservation while generating their own income streams. These visits made it clear that social change does not require large resources at the start; it requires creativity, local knowledge, and a strong network of support. The exchange of best practices between Armenian innovators and international participants highlighted how adaptable these models could be, regardless of country or scale.
The training environment encouraged collaboration at every step. Group exercises simulated real-world challenges, allowing participants to work together on creating social enterprise concepts tailored to their home contexts. Networking evenings provided opportunities to share cultural traditions, discuss challenges openly, and explore potential partnerships. The atmosphere was both professional and warm, reminding everyone that behind every project are human relationships that drive success.
Returning to Georgia, Millennium Georgia launched the “Impact Incubator,” an initiative designed to mentor and support young people in creating community-based social enterprises. Inspired directly by the Yerevan training, the program combined entrepreneurial education with hands-on project development. Participants received guidance on designing business plans, identifying local partners, and applying for seed funding. The incubator also built a platform for connecting young entrepreneurs with mentors from both Georgia and abroad, continuing the spirit of cross-border cooperation that had been so valuable during the Erasmus+ project.
The first round of the Impact Incubator brought promising results. One group of participants developed a sustainable tourism project in a rural area, offering eco-friendly accommodation and promoting local crafts. Another launched a waste recycling initiative that created jobs for disadvantaged youth while raising environmental awareness in schools. These projects not only addressed immediate community needs but also demonstrated that youth-led enterprises can operate successfully without depending entirely on external donors.
The impact went beyond individual projects. The initiative helped shift perceptions in local communities, showing that young people can be powerful agents of change. Participants developed leadership skills, built professional confidence, and learned how to engage diverse stakeholders. Local government representatives began to take interest in supporting youth entrepreneurship as part of broader regional development strategies. The network created in Yerevan continued to play a role, with former project peers offering feedback, sharing resources, and even exploring joint ventures with Georgian teams.
The Erasmus+ experience proved that equipping youth workers with entrepreneurial skills creates a multiplier effect. A single trained youth worker can influence dozens of young people, who then go on to create initiatives that touch hundreds of lives. For Millennium Georgia, this model represents a way forward—a method to build resilience, stimulate innovation, and strengthen social cohesion in communities across the country.
Looking ahead, Millennium Georgia plans to expand the Impact Incubator to include specialized tracks for green entrepreneurship, social tech innovations, and cultural heritage preservation. The vision is to make social entrepreneurship not just an option, but a mainstream pathway for young Georgians to create meaningful change.
The journey from Yerevan back to Georgia carried more than memories—it carried a renewed belief in what is possible when knowledge, collaboration, and passion come together. Empowered with the tools of social entrepreneurship, Georgia’s youth can turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into lasting solutions, building bridges of change for a stronger and more inclusive future.