Public call for grants under the project supporting the competitiveness of MSMEs in 2015

The Program to support the further development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and cooperatives in 2015, which consists of two projects (hereinafter: the Program), is being implemented by the National Agency for Regional Development (hereinafter: NARR) in cooperation with accredited regional development agencies.

1. Support Program for the Development of the Competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives

The main objective of the Project is to strengthen the competitiveness and innovativeness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and cooperatives. Non-repayable funds will be approved for: Group I activities:

• aligning business operations with the requirements of international business standards (implementation of standards, certification, recertification) and marking products with the “CE” mark;
• new product and packaging design;
• electronic presentation.

Activity group II:

• improving existing and developing new technological processes;
• improvement of existing products/services and development of new ones;
• testing new products and
• development and implementation of specialized software.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives and entrepreneurs are eligible for funding if they cumulatively meet the following conditions:

• that the predominant activity of the business entities is production, processing or the provision of services (that the predominant activity registered with the Business Registers Agency indicates production/service activity or processing activity);
• that they are majority-owned by private domestic owners and registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia;
• to have been established no later than 01 July 2013;
• to have recorded positive business results in the previous two years;
• to have kept accounting records under the double-entry bookkeeping system for the previous two years;
• that they have settled their tax and contribution obligations;
• that during the previous two years and the current year they have not received incentives from NARR or other state institutions on the same basis.

Funds are awarded in the amount:

• Group I activities from 50.000,00 to 200.000,00 dinars, except for a company’s electronic presentation, for which a maximum of  100.000,00 dinars
• Activity Group II from 50.000,00 to 500.000,00 dinars.

NARR will reimburse the amount under an agreement with the grant recipient reimburse up to 50% of the total amount of eligible project costs excluding VATThe total funds available for implementing the Project amount to 30.000.000,00 dinars.

1. Project to support women’s entrepreneurship through the award of non-repayable financial aid

The Project’s primary objective is to develop women’s entrepreneurship by increasing the number of women in business, raising the visibility of successful women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in general, strengthening women entrepreneurs’ motivation to improve their business operations, and awarding non-repayable financial aid. Non-repayable funds will be approved for:

• aligning business operations with the requirements of international business standards (implementation of standards/certification/recertification) and marking products with the “CE” mark;
• improving existing and developing new technological processes;
• improvement of existing products/services and development of new ones;
• testing new products;
• development and implementation of specialized software;
• new product and packaging design;
• a digital presentation of the company and
• training for management and employees through specialized courses.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises owned and managed by women, as well as entrepreneurs whose founder is a woman, are eligible for funding if they cumulatively meet the following requirements:

• that the predominant activity is production, processing or the provision of services (that the predominant activity registered with the Business Registers Agency indicates production/service activity or processing activity);
• that they are majority-owned by private domestic owners and registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia;
• that women hold at least 25% ownership in the company and simultaneously manage its operations (the woman/women is/are registered with the Business Registers Agency as director or deputy director), or that a woman is the founder of the sole proprietorship;
• to have been established no later than 01 July 2013;
• to have recorded positive business results in the previous two years;
• that they have settled their tax and contribution obligations;
• that during the previous two years and the current year they have not received incentives from NARR or other state institutions on the same basis.

Funds are awarded in the amount of from 50.000,00 to 300.000,00 dinars for all activities, except for the company’s electronic presentation, for which a maximum of 100.000,00 dinars may be approved.   The National Agency for Regional Development, under an agreement with the beneficiary of the funds, reimburse up to 65% of the total amount of eligible project costs excluding VATThe total funds available for implementing the Project amount to 10.000.000,00 dinars. Businesses may submit applications under both projects, but grants cannot be approved for the same activity. Funds are awarded to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs in accordance with Articles 95–97 of the Regulation on the Rules for State Aid Allocation (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia,” Nos. 13/2010, 100/2011, 91/2012, 37/2013, 97/2013 and 119/2014), as de minimis state aid (de minimis state aid). The deadline for submitting applications is 19 August 2015The Project texts, instructions, evaluation rules, applications and other accompanying forms are available on NARR’s website at www.narr.gov.rs and in printed form at accredited regional development agencies. For more detailed information you can contact NARR at the following phone numbers: 011/2060-807; 011/2060-810; 011/2060-829; 011/2060-843; 011/2060-847; 011/2060-855; 011/2060-856; 011/2060-864 and 011/2060-870. Source: NARR More information and documentation: http://narr.gov.rs/index.php/Info/Konkursi/Javni-poziv-za-dodelu-bespovratnih-sredstava-po-Projektu-podrshke-razvoju-konkurentnosti-MMSP-u-2015.-godini