ADV România ("Alături de voi"/"Close to you") - group of connected social enterprises
About this good practice
ADV România Group - model of efficient collaboration between non-governmental sector and public institutions, active role for development, implementation of public policies in the social and economic field. Established in 2002 with support of USAID and HICS, USA, the organization strengthened its expertise by accessing European pre-accession and EU accession funds, developing partnerships.
ADV România has a complementary and mutual support relationship with public institutions and private stakeholders. Being authorized as provider of vocational training, employment and mediation services, as social enterprise, contributes directly to the public policy objectives on social inclusion and job creation. This partnership-essential for vulnerable people ‘integration through concrete opportunities for employment and professional development. A significant aspect of the collaboration between ADV România and public institutions is the direct involvement of the organization in the decision-making mechanisms: Ministry of Labor’ Social Economy National Commission; Iași County’ Social Inclusion Commission; North-East Regional Program Monitoring Committee.
Due to activity as social enterprise, social services provider, ADV România supports development of innovative solutions to community problems, for sustainable, inclusive environment; influences them through its expertise, becoming a relevant actor in the development of national and local strategies for social inclusion and employment.
Resources needed
ADV România managed €33M+ funding from EU programs, reinvested profits, partnerships; managed ESF grants for 48 social enterprises in România, Moldova, Ukraine.
With 85+ professionals, ensure long-term impact through the Social Enterprises Accelerator, financial sustainability, ADV Academy
Evidence of success
Quantitative indicators: Over 100 projects, 250.000 beneficiaries, €33 million invested in the community.
Qualitative indicators: Key role in adopting the Social Economy Law (Law no. 219/2015) and creating social enterprise jobs; National and European advocacy for the social economy; The Digital Innovation HUB for the social economy sector (launched 2025 in partnership with Digital Innovation Zone EDIH; COSME program); AFIN – Social Investment Fund supports social enterprises (EaSI strand);
Potential for learning or transfer
ADV România’s model is highly transferable, particularly in emerging social economies where there is a need for structured support in funding, business development, policy advocacy.
By leveraging EU cooperation, knowledge-sharing networks, and financial tools, this practice can be scaled and adapted to other European and international regions.
The model was transferred through partnerships in Moldova, Ukraine, and the broader Eastern European region, fostering cooperation on social enterprise development.
Some key learnings: Integrates multiple successful elements in social economy development, financing, advocacy; Has transferred expertise across different regions by developing a scalable social economy ecosystem; Built an integrated system of social enterprises, financial mechanisms, policy frameworks that can be adapted in other regions; Programs such as DIGIT-ABLE, baSE, SocialTech4EU, and B-WISE focus on replicable training, financing, business models for social enterprises.
Further information
• ADV Romania presentation
Images
Documents
BAROMETRUL-2024_eng_compressed.pdf
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
