Synerb

There is much to be said about ecotourism and economic development in rural Romania. We believe in the extraordinary potential of people partnering to steer change in the right direction. Our colleague, Zoltan, spoke with Pressone about slow and sustainable tourism, communities, patience, cooperation, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and why each of us should become an ecotourist at least once a year. This interview (in Romanian) highlights our Green Growth project, supported by the Romanian American Foundation, one of the strategic funders of the Romanian ecotourism sector. https://lnkd.in/esmKGiXU

One panel, one hot topic: How can global companies support startups in CEE? Thank you, Prow,  Cowork Timisoara and ROStartup for assembling such an insightful panel. It was a pleasure to engage in this galvanizing conversation. Here are some key insights our colleague, Sonia Oprean, shared during the panel, about the role of social entrepreneurs, leadership and our ongoing partnerships: ✨ The ingenuity and resilience of social entrepreneurs are essential for developing solutions that address today’s systemic challenges. With rising inequalities and an escalating climate crisis, there has never been a more crucial time to support impact-driven enterprises. 🤝 Global companies can learn from impact-driven enterprises by embracing the values of feminine leadership—such as collaboration, building organizational cultures based on trust, empathy, and promoting authentic connections. 🌱 Consumer behavior is evolving, and younger generations expect companies to care about and invest in their communities. Global companies, in order to align with future customer expectations, have a vested interest in supporting ventures that create lasting, meaningful impact in local communities. 🔎 Marc Impact Network serves as an example of how a consortium of partners with a shared commitment to social impact designed a program to support impact-driven enterprises in CEE. We are proud to collaborate with ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance, SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact, IFUA Nonprofit, and BCR Social Finance on this journey. It was furthermore a wonderful occasion to learn from and reconnect with peer organizations and friends from the startup support ecosystem. Thank you Vilia Rugel from consolid8, Andreea Nicolae from How To Web, and Adrian Gheorghe from Microsoft for Startups. A round of special thanks to ✨ Andrei Cosmin Munteanu for inviting us and to Elena Vrabie for doing a wonderful job at moderating our engaging panel.

We are delighted to announce the 24 outstanding organizations selected for the first Romanian cohort of the Marc Impact Programme, dedicated to scaling high-impact enterprises. The selection process was highly competitive and we received a wide range of applications from across various impact sectors. We extend our gratitude to the partners of the Marc consortia—BCR, BCR Social Finance, ERSTE Foundation, SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact, IFUA Nonprofit Partner—and to all the passionate people who contributed to designing this program with the critical needs of impact-centered entrepreneurs in mind. Congratulations to the 24 Romanian organizations that will receive comprehensive support through the Marc Impact Programme: 1. Curiera Transport Solutions 2. Help Autism 3. Sache 4. Ifresh Gottlob 5. Ophori Cosmetics 6. Curtea Culorilor 7. Caritas Câmpulung 8. Concordia Academia 9. Alimenterra 10. Open Learning 11. CA Grădina Bănățeană 12. Playful Software 13. Eco Atelierul Social 14. Autism Voce 15. Rubik School 16. Bio Banat Org 17. PiciordePlay 18. Curateco 19. Academia Clar 20. Alternativa Vegana 21. Răsăritul de Argint 22. Bucate din Banat 23. Integro Upcycling 24. NatRural Make --- Marc is a regional program implemented by Synerb in Romania, Impact Hub Vienna in Austria, IFUA Nonprofit Partner and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact in Hungary. In Romania, Marc is carried out in partnership with BCR and BCR Social Finance. --- Marc is a High-Impact Enterprise Scaling Programme – a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact.

Re: We need to talk about impact Impact Centric Talks, the first event this fall focused on impact and funding, presented by How to Web, will take place next week in Bucharest, at the Impact Hub Bucharest. Our colleague, Sonia Oprean, has prepared an insightful presentation on the need to support diverse impact models and how this support will be delivered through Marc Impact Network – an initiative of an international consortium that joined forces to foster the growth of impact-centric businesses in Europe. Impact Centric Talks is part of the How To Web Conference 2024 experience. Impact Centric Talks is powered by ERSTE Foundation and Marc, with the support of Impact Hub Bucharest, PurposeTech and Tilia Impact Ventures, together with Synerb and AmpliFY ONG.

Heritage, Interpretation, and the Rural Economy How might a community evolve by restoring latent, neglected heritage assets? How does one narrate the story of a heritage site in a manner that resonates with travellers drawn to local history? How can the narratives of a community be collected and skillfully woven into presentations? What strategies foster effective collaboration among stakeholders committed to revitalising heritage sites? In mid-September, we found ourselves in the heart of Transylvania, in Saschiz, attending a heritage interpretation camp led by Valya Stergioti, a trainer, planner, and consultant with a long-time dedication to heritage interpretation. Over three days, our team embarked on a journey of a personal and organizational discovery as part of "Deschis!", a capacity building and mentorship program for organizations working to revitalize built heritage sites. Our commitment towards ecotourism and providing capacity building for purpose-driven organisations blended with the passion of the local organisations restoring heritage sites and reviving rural communities. We look forward to creating an impact together. Thank you MKBT: Make Better team for uniting us in this endeavour. This camp forms part of the broader Heritage Stewardship Support Program, funded by the Romanian American Foundation and implemented by MKBT: Make Better, in partnership with Synerb.

Meet the 11 experienced mentors we've teamed up with in Romania who will help each entrepreneur from the Marc cohort to successfully overcome complex business challenges. Design thinking, sustainability, investment, life cycle assessment, leadership, finance, and grant management are among the areas our mentors have expertise in, covering several industries and specialties. Learn more about our mentors and apply for Marc Romania here: https://lnkd.in/dEKkKKtw --- Marc is a regional program implemented by Synerb in Romania, Impact Hub Vienna in Austria, IFUA Nonprofit Partner and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact in Hungary. In Romania, Marc is carried out in partnership with BCR and BCR Social Finance. --- Marc is a High-Impact Enterprise Scaling Programme – a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact.

Every entrepreneur creates a unique impact.   Sometimes impact is providing essential services for vulnerable people. In other cases, impact means growing green businesses with environmentally friendly operations. Change often happens with small steps. But sometimes, quick, bold innovation is the way forward. We welcome a wide range of impact models in the Marc program.   We are looking for 24 entrepreneurs with impact-centered businesses that are changing the Romanian communities for the better and operating with care for the environment. Businesses and entrepreneurs building a better world.   Spread the word that we've launched the Marc scaling program. https://lnkd.in/dMip3NFp   Support. Great mentors. Space to grow. Visibility. Awards to celebrate performance.    Have questions? Write us:    romania@marc-impactprogramme.net Marc is a regional program implemented by Synerb in Romania, Impact Hub Vienna in Austria, IFUA Nonprofit Partner and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact in Hungary. In Romania, Marc is carried out in partnership with BCR and BCR Social Finance. ---- Follow Marc at: https://lnkd.in/di_S6wGD https://lnkd.in/d9Wu3UtE --- Marc is a High-Impact Enterprise Scaling Programme – a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact.

Developing an ecotourism destination, where people learn the art of meaningful travel, takes time. Our brief journey in Țara Hațegului, a Romanian ecotourism site, revealed the extraordinary impact a handful of people can have on developing the local micro-economy. This place, with its natural wonders and rich history, serves as an example of how civil society and purpose-driven small businesses can infuse local communities with hope. We've met a handful of young people convinced that their future lies in doing extraordinary things in their communities. There is no capacity-building work, strategic or otherwise, without a deep understanding of the communities where one seeks to have an impact. It has been a pleasure to document these stories where Synerb supports a number of organizations. The Green Growth program – Models of Sustainability in Ecotourism Destinations is carried out with the support of the Romanian American Foundation.

Are you a Romanian impact-driven business ready to scale and with a vision to create deep, lasting change in our communities? Join the Marc Impact program. The Romania applications are now open! https://lnkd.in/dMip3NFp What we offer: 🌿 Support to find or scale your purpose; 📄 Financial roadmap; 🤝 The best mentoring experience available in the region; 🏡 Space to grow. A Growth Camp, international events, thematic workshops; 🧲 Exposure and reach; 🏆 Awards and special occasions to celebrate performance. Are we a match? In four words: we are impact first. We welcome: 💚 Businesses with a social or environmental drive, social enterprises, entrepreneurial NGOs, exceptional teams. 💚 We value high impact-driven businesses in various impact areas. Marc is a regional program implemented by Synerb in Romania, Impact Hub Vienna in Austria, IFUA Nonprofit Partner and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact in Hungary. In Romania, Marc is carried out in partnership with BCR and BCR Social Finance. You are welcome to reach out at: romania@marc-impactprogramme.net --- Marc is a High-Impact Enterprise Scaling Programme – a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit and SIMPACT - Increasing Your Social Impact. Follow Marc at: https://lnkd.in/di_S6wGD https://lnkd.in/d9Wu3UtE

This is our impact. Synerb was founded with the understanding that the leaders of social enterprises and visionary NGOs require quality services and timely support. By combining our 20+ years of professional experience and methodologies with our commitment to employing a patient and thoughtful way of working with every partner, we have created a unique approach that galvanizes organizational and personal growth. Onwards. Read our 5 Year Impact Report, here:  https://lnkd.in/dYxeeDJ5