PUBLIC CALL FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING THE STANDARDIZED MENTORING SERVICE TOTHE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY SECTORS IN 2020 (DEADLINE: APRIL 10, 2020)

26. February 2020.

The Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) has launched a public call for participating in the Program for the provision of standardized mentoring services to the processing industry sectors, with the aim of improving the business environment and supporting the smooth development of MSMEs operating within the manufacturing sector, which are grouped in the following four areas: machinery and equipment industry; food industry; wood and furniture and rubber and plastic industries.

The mentoring service is aimed at micro, small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs. Mentoring is a free service that provides comprehensive customer support through an individual approach. The mentoring process follows the methodology of the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS), while it was developed in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Mentoring helps the business owner or CEO identify a key point in the potential of their business, while the user, through mentoring, develops and implements an action plan aimed at improving business results.

The mentors have professional experience in working with small and medium-sized enterprises, come from 17 accredited regional development agencies and are certified by the Development Agency of Serbia, in cooperation with the Japan Agency for International Cooperation.

So far, about 2,400 users have used the mentoring service in Serbia. According to the data, these companies recorded a cumulative increase in operating profit of 15% over the previous year.

The right to participate in the Program is granted to micro, small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs that meet the following requirements:

- That they were registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia before February 2017;

- That they carry out activities within one of the sectors of the manufacturing industry grouped in the four aforementioned areas;

- That they have settled their tax and contribution obligations;

- That they are majority privately owned.

The documentation that is required to be submitted when applying for the public call can be downloaded on https://ras.gov.rs/javni-poziv-za-ucesce-u-programu-pruzanja-standardizovane-usluge-mentoringa-sektorima-preradivacke-industrije-u-2020-godini

For more detailed information, please contact RAS by e-mail: mentoring4sektora@ras.gov.rs or by phone: 011/3398 809.

Source: Development agency of Serbia and Coordination Body