EU support for 45 women and youth start-ups

The European Union (EU) through EU PRO Plus programme will support 45 women and young entrepreneurs from less developed municipalities to start and improve their business. EU grants in the amount of over 370,000 Euros will be used for the purchase of equipment and the introduction of services that will help young enterprises to improve product quality, introduce innovations and position themselves on the market.

"The employment of women and young people and their inclusion in the labor market is one of the joint priorities of the Government of Serbia and the European Union. Together, we make efforts to promote economic growth and enable people throughout Serbia to have a job and make a good living from their work. These 45 women and youth entrepreneurs, who will mainly be engaged in the production of food, furniture, textiles, but also in the provision of architectural, design and IT services, will contribute to the opening of over 50 new jobs. It is also important that  they will be a good example to their fellow citizens on how to venture into entrepreneurial waters and how to apply and receive support for that" , said Tanja Miščević, Minister of European Integration.

"By supporting the women and young people who have the skills and potential to establish their own businesses, the EU aims to increase employment, stimulate the local economy and economically empower these population groups, especially in less developed local self-governments. In the EU countries the small and medium-sized enterprises have a leading role in the economy and achieving economic growth, and that is precisely why we, through programmes such as EU PRO Plus, provide support to this sector", said Emanuele Giaufret, Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia.

The supported enterprises will also conduct socially responsible activities thus creating the direct benefits for the local communities through donating products to socially vulnerable groups, supporting sports clubs, health institutions, kindergartens and schools, as well as through environmental protection actions.

The Public Call was opened for unemployed women and young people aged 18 to 30 who plan to establish or have already started their business during 2022 in the 43 least developed municipalities included in the EU PRO Plus programme. During the Call, the Programme organised nine info-sessions that gathered over 170 participants. Out of a total of 108 project proposals received, after administrative and technical evaluation and field visits, 45 were approved for financing. The amount of support per individual project amounts from 5,000 to a maximum of 10,000 Euros.

The list of approved projects is available on the website of the EU PRO Plus programme: Results of the Public Call for Proposals for Supporting Women and Youth Start-ups.