As part of the Post-investment Support for Investors project, representatives of the Municipality of Brod and a representative from the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina (FIPA) visited the Brod-based companies “SKAI Adapter” and “Krampitz IN & Partner.”
Sandra Marković, a FIPA expert associate, and officials from the Department for Local and Economic Development held a working meeting at the Municipality of Brod, where they agreed on continuing successful cooperation.
“By purchasing a crusher for construction waste, the municipality of Brod will be able to repurpose that waste into material for filling gravel roads and promote more responsible waste management practices,” it was announced during today’s public consultation for citizens, entrepreneurs, and the NGO sector, held in the Municipality of Brod’s Assembly Hall.
This is one of the activities within a project initiated by the Municipality of Brod and the company “EKO-DUNAV” d.o.o. from Borovo, which has been approved for funding under the first call of the INTERREG IPA VI-A Cross-border Cooperation Program Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2022-2027.
Participants had the opportunity to watch a presentation and learn more about the project from Aleksandra Džabić, a graduate ecologist, who shared details about the project itself and sustainable waste disposal practices.
The main goal of the project is to improve sustainable development and environmental preservation in the municipalities of Brod (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Borovo (Croatia) by applying innovative models and approaches for managing construction waste through repurposing that waste as material for gravel roads and promoting responsible waste management practices.
“The project will provide a joint intervention in the program area from two countries, addressing the challenges of waste management by promoting sustainable construction waste management. It aims to improve existing infrastructure and raise awareness of waste management in the cross-border area, contributing to the development and preservation of the environment,” said Jovana Popadić, the project’s communication manager.
The project will last for 24 months, from June 15, 2024, to June 14, 2026, and is being implemented by the Municipality of Brod and the company “EKO DUNAV” d.o.o. from Borovo as the lead partner.
The project is valued at €841,445.40. The European Union will finance 85% of the project (€715,228.59), while the remaining 15% (€126,216.81) will be funded by project partners.
The main expected outcomes are: improved waste management competencies in the municipalities of Brod and Borovo, active participation of local communities in promoting sustainable environmental practices and waste management systems, development of a cross-border partnership model for access and exchange of experiences and knowledge in the field of waste management, and increased public awareness and participation in waste management systems through an educational promotional campaign.
The consultation was also attended by the Mayor of Brod, Milan Zečević, who said, “This project is very demanding, and it is therefore very important for us to remain consistent in its implementation.”
“Given Bosnia and Herzegovina’s pre-accession status, I believe this is an opportunity for our municipality to take advantage of every possibility to cooperate with the European Union and secure funding from available EU funds. The project is very demanding, and it is crucial that we stay committed to its implementation. I am confident that in the next year we will fulfill all project tasks and improve our municipality significantly in terms of ecology and waste management,” said Zečević.
As part of the project “Towards Equality: Women and Citizens in Action for More Inclusive Societies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eastern Europe,” the association “Women for Women International” invites all women who want to start their own business and improve their entrepreneurial skills to apply for the startup program “Strong Woman, Strong Business.”
This program aims to enhance and promote women’s entrepreneurship by providing them with the opportunity to educate themselves, receive expert and mentoring support, as well as financial support for the development of their business.
“We believe that society is strong when women are strong and empowered – economically independent,” says the association.
What does the program offer?
A unique space in Sarajevo – the “Sist’Her” Women’s Center, where participants can gather, exchange knowledge, and network with other female entrepreneurs and experts from various fields; A three-month educational program (5 one-day training sessions and two boot camps); Individual mentoring from trainers to further enhance business ideas; For the best-rated business ideas – non-refundable financial support of up to 6,000 KM; For the best-rated business ideas – mentoring support from experts in the field related to the business idea.
Who is it for?
Unemployed women who have a business idea and want to start their own business in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Women’s associations that want to establish a social enterprise; Employed women who want to start their own business as an additional activity or a limited liability company. The training will take place at the “Sist’Her” Women’s Center in Sarajevo according to the agreed schedule. Travel and accommodation expenses for participants from other cities are not covered.
How to apply?
Applications are to be submitted exclusively online via this form. The application deadline is December 27, 2024.
Application Selection
Applicants whose applications make it to the final round will be invited for selection interviews (via Zoom). The main selection criteria will be the level of leadership skills, the participant’s profile, the description of the business idea (social impact and environmental impact), motivation for participating in the program, economic sustainability, innovation of the idea, and the program’s ability to meet the participant’s expectations.
Need more information?
All interested women can get information and explore details about the program through the “Explore Entrepreneurship” info sessions, which will be continuously held at the center. The schedule for these sessions can be found on this website.
This project is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the “L’Oreal” Foundation, and is implemented by the association “Women for Women International” and the French organization “Empow’Her Global.”
The “Mozaik” Foundation, in cooperation with other partner organizations and “Sparkasse Bank”, has launched the program “Step by Step” as a form of support for new innovative ideas and business ventures.
The program is designed for startup businesses that need support and incentives to achieve business success – including education, mentorship, and favorable credit lines.
Who is eligible to apply?
The program is intended for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, whose businesses have been operating for less than three years (as of the date of the credit application submission). Applications are welcome from companies registered as LLCs or craft businesses in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), as well as independent entrepreneurs in the Republic of Srpska (RS).
The program allows applicants to apply for up to 50,000 BAM with a fixed interest rate of 4.99% and a repayment term of up to 10 years, depending on the purpose of the funds. It is important to note that the business must provide collateral – equipment being financed or equipment already owned by the business.
Additionally, expert support is provided to assess the needs and possibilities of individual business ideas.
The full text of the call can be found at this link, and all interested parties can apply via this link.
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