The municipality of Bijelo Polje will initiate court proceedings against seven young entrepreneurs for the return of support funds, due to non-compliance with the provisions of the contract, if they do not return the allocated money.
The Directorate for Property and Rights Protection of the Municipality told "Vijesti" that the Commission for Distribution of Funds handed them the documentation and that four young entrepreneurs and three female entrepreneurs will be sued in the competent court if they do not comply with their obligations.
"We have now issued warnings to those persons to return the money they unjustifiably spent, and the next step is to sue them before the Basic Court in Bijelo Polje," said the director of the Municipality's Property and Rights Protection Directorate. Ljubomir Sošić.
Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government Haris Malagić in his reply to "News", he clarified that the applications refer to the period from 2019, i.e. 2020, when the incentive program started.
This year, the Municipality of Bijelo Polje allocated 100 euros for financing projects for young entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurship. The public call for young entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurship was announced on November 25 and lasts until Tuesday, December 10.
"The distribution will be done by the Commission for financing projects for young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs appointed by the President of the Municipality. With a public call, all unemployed persons up to the age of 30, who want to start their own business, and have their residence in Bijelo Polje, are invited to submit their applications to the public call".
The funds provided for in the budget of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje are distributed for business plans that contribute to the achievement of the goals set in the strategic documents, programs and plans of the Municipality, and which in particular encourage the economic development of the municipality, encourage the development of organic agricultural production, create conditions and encourage the development of tourism and crafts, contribute affirmation and valorization of the cultural potential, tradition and cultural uniqueness of the municipality, raising the level of culture and preservation of cultural heritage, contributes to the preservation and protection of the environment and encourages the development of intellectual services.
The program for young entrepreneurs can be used by unemployed persons up to the age of 30, and they can apply with a maximum of one business plan. The maximum amount of allocated funds for the business plan cannot be more than 10 percent of the total amount provided by the Municipality's budget for financing projects for young entrepreneurs.
Malagić mentioned that a couple of days ago an Open Day was held in the Municipality for women entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs, but that they were not satisfied with the response and interest.
"We wanted to guide all young entrepreneurs on the easiest way to get funds, when to write a business plan and the easiest way to realize their plan".
Since the beginning of 2019, 35 female entrepreneurs have used the women's entrepreneurship program, and since 2020, 20 young entrepreneurs.
Previously, EUR 20 was allocated for the support program for female entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs, and this amount was increased in 2022.
In the budget for 2022, the funds for those two public calls were increased to 200 thousand euros, but, as Malagić said, barely half was realized.
"It happened because of low response and rejected applications," he said.
Last year, the competition for young entrepreneurs was not announced.
Malagić explained that it was not announced because the process of monitoring the distribution of funds to entrepreneurs according to the public invitation from 2022 was still ongoing, mostly due to the delay of applicants.
Due to multiple abuses, Malagić explained that the Commission is monitoring the entire course of the program, which lasts about a year and a half, so that there would be no more cases of attempted misuse of funds, which was followed by the termination of the contract.
Bonus video:
