Donor: British Embassy in Belgrade

Duration: April 2003 - July 2004.

Budget: 85,000.00 EUR

Region: Kragujevac

Description: Upon the experience with the implementation of the phase one of a Self-reliance project, another Self-reliance project for 60 beneficiaries in Kragujevac was designed. Besides the standard material input component in the average value of 800 EUR, a very strong training component was included. Within the frame of this project, the HELP Service Centre was formed in the premises of Regional Agency for SME Development - Kragujevac. The role of this centre was to provide advice, counselling, networking and tailor-made business and vocational trainings for the beneficiaries of the project. The results achieved were excellent and the donor has approved the prolongation of HELP Service Centre operations until June 2004.

HELP Service Centre was formed in 2003 in Kragujevac in order to support and guide start-up businesses in the region. HSC started as a pilot project but since it proved to be highly successful, the donor- DFID through the British Embassy in Belgrade, approved the prolongation of this center until June 2004. Therefore, encouraged with these results, HELP has a plan to set up similar centers in several other municipalities in Serbia.

The purpose of the HELP Service Centre (HSC) is to provide business already supported within Income Generation Project by means of material inputs with advisory assistance and guidance in order to empower them eventually become sustainable and independent by developing to the maximum of their capacities.

Some of the most important tasks of the HSC are:

• Provide various vocational and business trainings which best suit the individual needs and capabilities of each beneficiary included in the project.
• Provide assistance in individual marketing operations and creation of market studies undertaken by beneficiaries who have registered their start-up businesses or developed existing ones.
• Help the start up businesses to get better insight and understanding of the local economy.
• Organize follow-up assistance for the businesses that encounter specific problems during the implementation of their activities.
• Study the conditions for the beneficiaries to register legally their activities and give them all possible help and guidance through this process.
• Study the possibility for beneficiaries to access micro loans, if the development of their activities requires an additional investment.
• Study and define potential new markets and business opportunities for beneficiaries.
• Support SME with e-business (promotion and sales of their products through internet).
• Organize a database to register and follow-up the situation of supported businesses, as well as providing the feedback of the up to date situation in the field to Labour Market offices, SME Agencies and relevant Ministries.
  

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