A public call for business improvement of micro, small and medium enterprises-MSMEs by providing expert support and purchase of equipment as a part of the project “Strengthening support to enterprises – working on the sustainable growth of MSMEs in Šumadija and western Serbia” has been announced.

The program is financed by the European Union in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, through the EU PRO Plus program, and is implemented by Business Innovation Center d.o.o. Kragujevac, in partnership with Business Innovation Programs.

The program aims to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from the region of Šumadija and western Serbia by providing expert support for business improvement following the needs of individual enterprises.

All micro, small and medium enterprises from Šumadija and western Serbia, which are already present in the domestic and/or foreign market, have the right to participate in the public call, regardless of the area in which they operate.

The program is implemented through two components. The first component consists of expert support for business improvement and will be provided in the following areas:

  • marketing and branding,
  • product design,
  • packing labels,
  • development of new products and services,
  • raising the quality of already existing products and services,
  • sales management and establishment of online stores,
  • innovation management in order to develop and grow the business,
  • financial services in order to access funding sources,
  • digitization of business processes, production, sales and
  • support for the development of E-commerce.

The number of companies that can be supported through this component ranges from 10 to 15, and the number of expert hours available per company is 35, for one or more areas of support.

The second component refers to the purchase of new equipment that must be under the registered activity of the business entity and intended for professional use.

The total funds available for the purchase of equipment amount to RSD 835,380.00, and the maximum amount of grants per individual company is RSD 167,076.00, excluding VAT. The number of companies that can be supported through this component ranges from 5 to 7 micro, small and medium-sized companies.

The application deadline for participation in the program is August 31, 2022.