EU support to small businesses of three million Euros for purchase of equipment and introduction of services

The EU allocated a total of three million Euros in support of enterprises registered between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 that are primarily engaged in the production or provision of services including information technology, architectural and engineering activities, health and social care, tourism, maintenance and repair services. The grants are to be used for the procurement of equipment and the introduction of services.

"In cooperation with the European Union, we are continuously working on economic development and reduction of regional disparities in the country, whereas small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the national economy. This concrete EU support will contribute to the improvement of production and market potential of enterprises, job creation, but also recovery and greater resilience to the negative impact of the pandemic and the current geo economic crises", said Jadranka Joksimović, Minister of European Integration.

"In this way, the European Union supports the growth and competitiveness of the micro and small enterprises sector, which is the basis of a healthy and sustainable economy and directly contributes to generating new jobs. We will continue to support good business ideas so that the Serbian economy is ready for the European market," said Ambassador Emanuele Giaufret, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

Two million Euros of the total budget are allocated for the support to production enterprises where the value of individual support ranges from 10,000 Euros to 40,000 Euros, while one million Euros will be granted to small businesses engaged in the provision of services where individual grants range from 10,000 to 30,000 Euros. In both cases, a minimum co-funding of 20 percent of the project value is required, i.e. 15 percent for enterprises registered in the municipalities that belong to the fourth category of development.[2]

“This initiative aims to have even greater positive impact on local communities as entrepreneurs and enterprises submitting the proposals are obliged to design and implement socially responsible activities as a part of their projects and thus provide support to their fellow citizens, vulnerable groups, children, or contribute to environmental protection,” said Olivera Kostić, EU PRO Plus Programme Manager.

The Public Call is open until 30 June 2022, while more information on the eligibility criteria, application procedures and documents is available on the website of the EU PRO Plus Programme Public Call for Proposals for Procurement of Equipment and Introduction of Services for Entrepreneurs, Micro and Small Enterprises.