Entrepreneurs and artisans have the opportunity to receive financial and non-financial assistance in order to develop entrepreneurship through the support program implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism. The support programs were presented as part of the info day organized by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IPC) Tehnopolis together with the Municipality of Nikšić as part of the project "Innovative sustainable technologies for the economic improvement of crafts - Craftinno".
Anđela Gajević, head of the Directorate for Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Cooperation with the Business Community, said that the program for the improvement of the economy is worth four million euros and consists of eight program lines of financial and non-financial support intended for small, micro and medium-sized enterprises in order to encouraging and improving further development.
"The program is based on the co-financing of a part of the justified costs. Companies can apply for different program lines by purchasing small or large value, or to digitize processes in the company. We also have a part related to beginners in business, which we implement in cooperation with the Investment Development Fund Gajević said.
She pointed out that they took care to include all groups, especially young people and women in business, and business entities that are registered and operate in less developed local governments.
"That support system ranges from 40 to 80 percent, which depends on the program line. Each program line is budgeted separately," said Gajević and invited all interested entrepreneurs to apply, noting that the call is open until September 30. can submit applications.
Maja Jokanović, head of the Directorate for Industrial Policy and Craft Development, said that the call for the program for craft development and promotion is open until November 30, and that the budget is 200 euros.
"We made the procedures a little easier in the way that entrepreneurs apply after completing the activity without signing additional contracts. The program is composed of two components - one is the possibility of purchasing equipment and specialized tools, and the other is participation in domestic and international fairs and the design and production of promotional materials." , said Jokanović.
For now, the first component has attracted more interest because through it, craftsmen have the opportunity to receive a grant from the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism of up to ten thousand euros for the purchase of equipment and the possibility of refunding funds in the amount of 75 percent of the value of the equipment.
"We also have the possibility of an additional ten percent for those municipalities that are in the category of less developed municipalities. Within the second component, we offer assistance of up to 4.000 euros of support for participation in the domestic fair and 6.000 euros at the international fair, and the percentage of support is 50 percent, with also present regional aspect", Jokanović pointed out.
According to Miljana Peković, project management manager at Technopolis, this is the second info day organized through the "Craftinno" project in order to contribute to the development of the innovative ecosystem in Montenegro.
"In this way, we wanted to enable small businesses engaged in crafts to find additional funds for the development of their business and, if possible, for the introduction of innovations in their production processes, which is the purpose of the entire project," said Peković.
The first training for CNC programming is underway for ten entrepreneurs from Nikšić, Ulcinj and Podgorica, participants of the mentioned project, and through the info day they are trying to include other companies that deal with crafts in order to provide additional funds for business. Trainings will be organized during August, September and October, and in November, Technopolis and the Municipality of Nikšić will organize a craft fair.
The project "Craftinno" is implemented by Technopolis in partnership with the Municipality of Nikšić, and with the support of the Kingdom of Norway through the project "Norway for you - Montenegro".
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