PUBLIC CALL FOR SUPPORT TO MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES

11. April 2016.

Belgrade - Entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises from 34 municipalities of South East and South West Serbia will be able to apply, until June 10, 2016, for the grants from the fund worth 250,000 euros, which was provided by the European Union and the Swiss Government.

The European Progress development program stated that it had published a public call for the allocation of grants aimed at increasing production and providing the conditions for new jobs.

Eligible to apply are entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises, registered in 2013 or 2014 in the territory of the 34 municipalities covered by the European Progress program, which include the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, too. The enterprises must be predominantly in domestic private ownership, as well as with the achieved operating profit at the end of 2015 and settled liabilities in respect of the payment of taxes and contributions.

“By this public call, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland provide support to the private sector, which is essential for economic growth and employment, "said Graeme Tyndall, the European Progress program Manager.

At least 12 projects will be supported by the program, while the funds allocated to a project can’t exceed 25,000 euros for a small company, and 15,000 euros for a micro-enterprise or entrepreneur, while project applicants should provide the financial participation of 30 per cent of the value of the requested donation.

As stated, the grants won’t be awarded in cash, but the approved amount of funds will be used for purchasing the equipment or services that should contribute to increasing productivity, creating jobs and expanding the market.

A precondition for project funding is the willingness of applicants to carry out corporate social responsibility activities.

“We expect representatives of the private sector to come up with and undertake the activities by which the wider community will be supported, such as providing support to local organizations, organizing public works or participating in humanitarian actions ", said Olivera Kostic, the Head of the European Progress program’s Competitiveness Department.

With the aim of familiarizing the potential applicants with the requirements of the call, the European Progress program will, in the period from April 18 to 28, 2016, hold info sessions in the following cities of the southeastern and southwestern parts of Serbia: Vranje, Leskovac, Knjazevac, Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Prijepolje, Bujanovac and Nis, it was said in the statement.

All interested persons can get detailed information on the call and the documents necessary for applying on the website of the European Progress program http://www.europeanprogres.org/vest/sr/423/Otvoren-konkurs-za-podrsku-mikro-i-malim-preduzecima/

Source: European Progress program and Coordination Body