WHAT IS CEPOR
CEPOR – SMEs and Entrepreneurship Policy Center is the first think-tank in Croatia, which deals with the problems of the SME sector.
CEPOR is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 based on the Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the Open Society Institute – Croatia. 10 institutional founders of CEPOR are the leaders in their fields of work – from the academic community to business associations, development agencies and entrepreneurial centers.
VISION
We see CEPOR as a strong integrator of regional and global networks of knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship with key influence on the development of policy towards small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship in the economy and community.
MISSION
Influence the public and political environment, emphasizing the key role of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises in the development of Croatian economy. CEPOR aims to contribute to the shaping of entrepreneurial culture and stimulating institutional and regulatory framework for entrepreneurial activity, with the goal of achieving strong economic growth based on international competitiveness.
AREAS OF WORK
Research
Independent research related to policy of development of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises with the purpose to objectively define the problems and propose solutions.
Policy Development
Providing counsel to government institutions with the purpose of building Government’s legislative and institutional capacity for designing and implementing efficient and non-discriminatory policies for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Advocacy
Organizing activities that will allow problems of small and medium-sized enterprises to be heard and discussed in the public, and presenting recommendations to the Government in order to achieve specific solutions.
ACTIVITIES
Connecting with policy centers whose activities are focused on the issues of SMEs and entrepreneurship.
Organizing round tables, workshops and gatherings focused on policy aspects of the development of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector and entrepreneurship.
Educating groups in charge of implementing, monitoring and evaluating policies towards SMEs.
FOUNDERS
CEPOR’s founders are organizations and institutions interested in the development issues of the small and medium enterprise sector:
Academic Community
- Institute of Economics Zagreb
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Economics in Osijek
- Institute for International Relations, Zagreb
Business Associations
- Croatian Chamber of Economy
- Croatian Chamber of Crafts and Trades
Development Institutions
- Međimurje Entrepreneurship Center / Development Agency Međimurje – REDEA, Čakovec
- Istrian Development Agency – IDA, Pula
- Center for Entrepreneurship, Osijek
Others
- Open Society Institute – Croatia
- Croatian Institutions for Promotion of Entrepreneurship Association – UHIPP, Zagreb
PARTNERS
- Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship
- National Competitiveness Council
- Croatian Employers’ Association – HUP
THINK TANK
Think-tank is a modern type of non-profit organization, which is engaged in research and education about a certain public policy or problem, with the aim to influence public discussion and the decision-making process. Through organization of round tables, by publishing various publications and advocating interests, think-tanks strive to highlight and formulate important political and other topics. Think-tanks are generators of new ideas and policies. There are many think-tanks in the world today, which differ by their size, influence and the issues they deal with.
More information about functioning of think tank organizations in Croatia (pdf):
Delić, A., Singer, S., Alpeza, M.: “The role of think tanks in shaping SME business environment in Croatia – the case of CEPOR”, 9th International Conference „Challenges of Europe: Growth and Competitiveness – Reversing the Trends“, Bol, 26th – 28th May 2011
