USAID AND NARD EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM OF SUPPORT TO YOUTH AND WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO JUNE 6

3. June 2014.

Due to the hardships that befell our country, the deadline for applications to participate in the training programs for business start-ups and grants in the field of youth and female entrepreneurship was extended to June 6, 2014, it was published on the website of the National Agency for Regional Development (NARD).

The program is implemented as part of the project to support the development of the private sector in the southern and south-western Serbia in 2014. The program is implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and NARD, through the Regional Development Agencies in Uzice, Kraljevo, Leskovac and Novi Pazar.

Let’s remind you that the competition was announced in early May, while young persons and women aged from 18 to 35, who are from Vranje, Leskovac, Presevo, Bujanovac, Medvedja, Raska, Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Tutin, Priboj, Prijepolje and Nova Varos, could take part in it.

The overall objective of the project is to promote the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship in the fields of agribusiness, textile and light industries.

The project envisages that 200 candidates attend the training for business start-ups, which includes the development of business plans, which will compete for grants. The candidates who successfully completed the training in business start-ups and in the development of business plans will be entitled to participate in the program.

After the completion for the best business plan, 32 highest-ranked business plans will qualify for grants. The requirement for receiving grants is the registration of the candidate’s business in the Business Registers Agency, the majority of which is owned by the candidate, and compliance with the environmental procedures, if the candidate doesn’t have a registered business.

The total funds available for micro, small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises owned by women and young people amounts to 240,000 US dollars, with an average of 7,500 US dollars per client, in the dinar counter-value, according to the established exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia. Grants will be approved for the purchase of the equipment for the implementation of business ideas that were awarded in the competition.

Persons interested in the competition may see the requirements of the competition at narr.gov.rs.

Source: Eduka plus and Coordination Body