Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the opportunity to benefit from grants available within the framework of a Call for Proposals for Partnerships in the Export-oriented sectors, thanks to the EU4Business project.
The fund worth € 3 million is available via grants for projects that foster innovation, business cooperation, digitalization and business environment, it was said today during the presentation of the Call for Proposals.
“Although MSMEs are prevalent in BiH’s economy, big companies are more successful exporters. Exports of SMEs have potential for growth, therefore, by supporting BiH’s exports in competitive sectors, we are strengthening the role of SMEs and local producers and their competitiveness. Most importantly, this support will allow for creation of new jobs“, said Nicolas Bizel, Head of Operations Section I (Justice and Home Affairs, Public Administration Reform) in the Delegation of the European Union to BIH.
Project ideas of the applicants that will be supported with this Call relate to metal and mechanical industry, wood processing and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises registered in the plastic and electric sectors are also eligible within this call if they implement projects in the metal and mechanical industry.
Eligible are partnerships consisting of three or more partners, out of which at least one should be from the private sector, while financial grants range from € 100.000 to €300.000 per project.
Overall €10 million, available in grants via EU4Business, is devoted to strengthening of growth and employment in BIH through the development of competitiveness and innovation in selected sectors. The project is worth €16.1, and it is jointly funded by the European Union (€15 million) and the Federal Republic of Germany (€1.1 million). The project is jointly implemented by GIZ, ILO and UNDP, between April 2018 and March 2022.
