Implemented by: German non-governmental HELP- Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.

Implementing partner: Entrepreneurship Assistance Centre – INTEGRA

Donor: the City of Kragujevac, the City of Uzice, the City of Kraljevo and German non-governmental HELP- Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.

Budget: 92.000 EUR

Duration: February 2008 – February 2009

Region: Kraljevo, Uzice, Kragujevac

Description: The main goal of the project is job creation through support to start-up or development of existing micro-business. The beneficiaries will be supported through the provision of in-kind grants and trainings which will facilitate the initial steps in business activities and provide better chance for success. The allocated assistance will be distributed utterly in the form of equipment or material; there will be no cash disbursements. The average amount of one grant is fixed on approximately 2000 EUR.

The programme is intended to economically vulnerable young people, up to 35 years old, who have sound business ideas for starting or development of individual economic activities, which will provide them with regular income.

The selection of beneficiaries is being realized through several phases, according to the series of social and economic criteria. Social vulnerability of applicant is necessary but not sufficient condition for obtaining help. Important criteria are also: economic viability, market potential of business idea, the professional ability of the candidate, work expirience and the fact that business idea is in line with the principles of environment protection.

Programme will include in total 41 entrepreneurs from the targeted cities: Kragujevac (20), Uzice (12) i Kraljevo (9).

The client’s obligations are:

• to register its activity prior to equipment / material distribution;

• to attend one-day orientation training organized by HELP;

• to repay 20% of the total value of donated equipment / material;

• to donate 20 hours of community service for the local community

September 2008, Kragujevac
Information campaign

Current activities:

Based on its standard procedures, within the project activities HELP finished the procurement and completely delivered all equipment/material to the supported clients who have also successfully managed to register their businesses.

Supported clients attended one-day business trainings organized by HELP and realized in cooperation with the Regional development agency Zlatibor, Regional agency for economic development of Sumadija and Pomoravlje doo, and Regional center for SME and entrepreneurship development doo Krusevac.

In cooperation with the targeted cities, Kraljevo, Užice, and Kragujevac, performance of community service has been successfully organized and realized according to the local communities’ needs and the clients businesses.