The Social Incubator (TSI) Association, a non-governmental organization that has been providing support for the socio-professional integration of institutionalized youth for over a decade, is opening a branch in the United States through which it aims to be able to support a greater number of such youth, encouraging innovation and positive change in the communities they are part of.
The new TSI office in the United States will serve as the organization’s hub for operations and programs, connecting local entrepreneurs with the global network of resources and expertise that The Social Incubator has built over the years. The organization’s expansion will also create new educational and other partnerships with top universities in the United States, to bring innovation and new models to Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Europe, to attract opportunities by creating a bridge between continents. Moreover, TSI wants to create new educational, mobility and social entrepreneurship projects.
Through its customized programs, The Social Incubator offers a comprehensive range of services to support young people from vulnerable backgrounds, especially those in institutionalized settings, including support in continuing their studies, career guidance services, labour market integration, psycho-emotional support, vocational training courses, internships, mentoring, coaching, access to financing and professional networking opportunities.
This approach allows young people participating in TSI programs to transform their potential into opportunity, become independent and build an educational and professional path adapted to their potential/profile. Moreover, the social entrepreneurship component is very strong and supports young social entrepreneurs to perfect their business models, strengthen their leadership skills and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
Throughout its activity, TSI has built solid partnerships with the business environment, based on the principle of Creating Shared Value. It collaborates with over 50 national and international companies to develop strategic programs that generate real impact both for the vulnerable young people it supports and for our partners. These partnerships are not only a source of financial support, but also a mechanism through which companies are actively involved in social change, contributing to the integration of young people into society and the labour market. “Together, we create bridges between education and the business environment, between the aspirations of young people and economic realities, between social needs and available resources,” says Adriana Preda, General Manager, The Social Incubator.
Through this close collaboration, TSI manages to provide young people with access to concrete opportunities for professional and personal development, transforming vulnerability into opportunity, providing young people not only with short-term support, but also with the necessary tools to become independent and build a dignified, autonomous and possible future.
“Our projects have generated systemic changes in education, labour market integration and social inclusion, providing essential services such as job preparation, personal development and health support. So far, we have had a positive impact on over 65,000 children and young people throughout Romania, and we recently expanded to the Republic of Moldova, with plans to grow in Central and Eastern Europe, after expanding to the USA,” explains Adriana Preda, General Manager, The Social Incubator.
The expansion of The Social Incubator to the USA signifies the growing recognition of the crucial role that social enterprises play in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future. By providing support, the organization contributes to driving innovation, job creation, and the overall well-being of communities.
The Social Incubator’s expansion across the Atlantic marks a significant milestone in the growth of the social innovation sector, as more organizations recognize the importance of promoting socially responsible business.
Adriana Preda is the first Romanian citizen to benefit from the Obama Scholarship program, a prestigious distinction awarded to a limited number of emerging leaders globally. She discovered these opportunities after being selected as the first Romanian in the prestigious Obama Scholar Program at Columbia University in New York, being one of only 12 changemakers chosen annually for this elite academic and professional experience.
