Donor:           The Cities of Uzice and Kragujevac, German non-governmental organization HELP- Hilfe  zur Selbsthilfe e.V.

Budget:         90.056,00 EUR

Duration:      April 2009 - December 2009

Region:         Uzice, Kragujevac

Description: The main goal of the project is to support start-ups or development of existing micro-businesses through in-kind grants, as well as provision of the trainings. The project aims to facilitate the future entrepreneurs’ first steps into business and give them a chance of success.   

The eligible applicants in this project can be socially vulnerable households, amongst IDPs, refugees as well as the local population with the sound and viable business idea for starting or developing business that will result in regular income generation.

In particular, projects meeting set conditions and submitted by women will have special attention.

The selection of clients will be conducted in several phases based on the line of social and economic criteria. Social vulnerability of the applicant is a necessary but not sufficient requirement for endorsement of support.

Not less important criteria are also the following: economic viability, market potential of the proposed business idea, professional skills of the applicant, work experience, and that the proposed business idea meets the environmental protection principles.

The programme will encompass the total of 39 entrepreneurs from the territory of the Cities of Kragujevac (23) and Uzice (16). Supported clients will be provided with the in-kind grants solely in the form of equipment/material with the average value of 2.000,00 EUR

The supported clients will be obliged to:

• register their business activity prior to equipment/material delivery;
• attend business trainings organized by HELP;
• repay 20% of the total value of donated equipment;
• perform 20 hours of community service for the local community

Current activites
On the territory of the Kragujevac and Uzice cities the procurement of equipment/material is finished.