The Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev) on Monday released an announcement reviewing a conference it held late last month at its headquarters in Nicosia, where it highlighted opportunities for social enterprises to expand employment and participation in the Cypriot labour market.

The conference held on October 21 and titled “Social Entrepreneurship and Inclusion: From Idea to Participation, Employment and Social Change”, was co-organised by Oev, the Co-operative Societies Service, which serves as the competent authority for social enterprises, and cultural organisation Neophytos.

The event aimed to present the institutional framework governing social enterprises and explore their development potential in Cyprus, while also examining the role of responsible business practices in promoting social inclusion.

Opening addresses were delivered by Oev director of business development and green transition Paris Anastasiou, representatives of cultural organisation Neophytos Loukas Ioannou and Aristidis Charalambous, Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Social Enterprises Kypros Protopapas, and European Commission Representation in Cyprus political affairs officer Grigoria Gavriilidou.

The conference forms part of Oev’s wider initiatives to promote social entrepreneurship and broaden employment opportunities, while encouraging meaningful participation in the labour market.

The federation said it seeks to contribute to the development of a business environment that generates both economic and social value, through informing businesses, facilitating the exchange of experiences and strengthening cooperation with relevant organisations.

Oev added that these efforts are intended to support social entrepreneurship while expanding opportunities for employment and meaningful participation in the labour market.