Social Blueprint: Empowering Entrepreneurs, Students, and the Workforce of Tomorrow

In a European economic landscape that increasingly demands both innovation and inclusion, Romania’s Carmistin Group has carved a compelling path.One rooted in accountability, opportunity, and civic duty. Through a trio of POCU-backed projects between 2020 and 2023, the agri-food powerhouse is proving that corporate growth and social development can, and must, go hand in hand.

Social Startups for a Stronger Society

Launched in 2019, the “Social Start-ups for National Sustainable Development” (SUSTIN) project ignited a wave of social entrepreneurship across Romania. With over 13.7 million lei invested—98% of it in non-reimbursable European funds, Carmistin backed the launch of 29 new social enterprises through a mix of mentorship, funding, and formal training.

Four grants of €54,000, twenty of €69,950, and five of €99,950 were awarded. The result? A total of 93 new jobs created and 115 Romanians formally trained and certified as social entrepreneurs. Each initiative was designed to drive not only employment but also deeper-rooted change in communities across the country.

Youth on the Rise: ACTIVE & PROMT

Carmistin didn’t stop with entrepreneurs. Through the ACTIVE and PROMIT projects, co-financed by the European Union via the Human Capital Operational Programme, the Group helped strengthen Romania’s next-generation workforce.

With a combined value of nearly 4.75 million lei, these projects supported 364 students in vocational and technological education programs in the South-West Oltenia and South-Muntenia regions. Designed to align with Romania’s smart specialization strategy, the programs helped young people gain skills in high-demand economic sectors.

Students received not just mentorship and training, but also practical recognition—82 were awarded a total of 82,000 lei for successfully completing internships, while another 200,000 lei in scholarships were disbursed to students enrolled in dual education systems.

A Broader Vision

“Everything we do, whether at company or group level, happens within the society we live in,” reads Carmistin’s own reflection on its civic strategy. This statement is more than a mission—it's a mindset. It underpins their belief that businesses must not only thrive in society but actively contribute to its resilience and regeneration.

From job creation to educational equity, Carmistin’s projects offer a case study in integrated social impact—an approach that more of Europe’s private sector may need to adopt as the continent navigates its twin transitions toward green and digital economies.