The young and women aged 18 to 35 from 12 underdeveloped municipalities in Serbia that have good business ideas will get the opportunity to start their own businesses. The project of supporting the development of the private sector in the southern and southwestern Serbia is implemented by the USAID and the National Agency for Regional Development, through regional development agencies in Uzice, Kraljevo, Leskovac and Novi Pazar. The deadline for submitting applications for participating in the training for starting a business is 23 May. 

The project is aimed at promoting the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as at increasing sales, improving exports and creating new jobs.

The emphasis is on the agribusiness sector, such as the processing of milk, meat and vegetables, as well as on the textile industry, such as the manufacturing of clothing and footwear.

The contest is also open to the applicants who have a business idea from the field of the wood processing industry, especially from the spheres of carpentry and making furniture and the equipment for kitchens and bathrooms.

Residents of Vranje, Leskovac, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, among others, can also submit their applications for the competition. They should send their competition documents to the Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinj Districts (Tel: 016/315-0115).  The competition documents include the following:  the application form for participating in the training (Form 1), a statement of the accuracy of the submitted data (Form 1a), a CV, a cover letter, a copy of ID card and a copy of registered residence.  

200 candidates will attend the training for starting business, which includes a course in preparing  business plans, by which they will compete for grants. 32 highest-ranked business plans will  qualify for grants. The total available funds amount to 240,000 dollars, with an average of 7,500 dollars per client, in dinar equivalent value and at the rate of the National Bank of Serbia. The grants will be approved for the purchase of the equipment and services necessary for carrying out the business ideas awarded in the competition. It won’t be possible to use them for the renovation of the existing buildings and the construction of new ones, nor for the salaries of employees.

Source:  Coordination Body