„BOS 193 – Poverty reduction through the support to the local economic development“
Period: 01.04.2009 – 31.03.2010
Place: Konjic, Kiseljak, Rogatica, Novo Gorazde and Cajnice
Funded by: the German Foreign Ministry, through the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (€ 244.512,15)
Co-funded by:
the municipality of Konjic (€ 11.430,00)
the municipality of Kiseljak (€ 8.570,00)
the municipality of Rogatica (€ 11.430,00)
the municipality of Novo Gorazde (€ 4.285,00)
the municipality of Cajnice (€ 4.285,00)
Financial contribution of each beneficiary (15% of the grant value)
The project in brief:
The project is focused on the job creation and the economic support to the local development in Eastern and Central Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In line with HELP’s “Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe” (help for self-help) approach, this project is aiming to support entrepreneurial efforts and foster self-reliance through provision of in-kind grants (consisting of equipment and materials), training and support to socially vulnerable individuals with healthy business ideas.
The project target beneficiaries from the socially vulnerable population but will not discriminate between local population and returnees as the goal is to offer an equal, merit-based opportunity to all eligible applicants. Key selection criteria, next to vulnerability, will be the viability of the business idea combined with the applicant’s qualifications and attitude as these are the factors that will “make or break” the new enterprise.
The project represents action in direct support of top priority issues in the local development strategies, facilitates the process of sustainable development as a whole and offers valuable synergies with other regional and local initiatives.
Each successful applicant will receive in-kind grant in average amount per beneficiary: EUR 1,500
Main objectives of the project:
Establishment of 140 sustainable small businesses, through in-kind grant support, training and vocational education.
Creation of at least one job per business, and the stimulation of further growth and employment.
“Job creation through support to start-up businesses in Central and Eastern BiH” (2nd phase)
Period: 15.07.2008 – 31.12.2008
Place: municipality of Foča and surrounding areas.
Funded by: the German Foreign Ministry, through the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe € 97.800.00
Co-funded by:
the municipality of Foča (€ 10.000.00)
Financial contribution of each beneficiary (15% of the grant value)
The project in brief:
HELP’s strategy is to:
- foster the development of the local economy according to the strategies expressed by the local authorities
- promote the self-employment and the job creation, contributing therefore to the reduction of the grey economy or black market
- better integrate youths and women in the development of the local economy
As for its previous similar projects, HELP’s goal with this project is to support the establishment or updating of small businesses.
40 beneficiaries were selected in the area of Foča and were helped through the provision of in-kind grants, i.e. machines, equipment, material or cattle. These beneficiaries will be advised and monitored afterwards.
“Job creation through support to small start-up businesses in Central and Eastern BiH” (1st phase)
Period: 01.12.2006 – 30.11.2007
Place: municipalities of Olovo, Vares, Rogatica, Cajnice, Gorazde, Pale-Praca and Foca-Ustikolina
Funded by:
the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sarajevo
(€ 332.645.00)
Co-funded by:
the municipalities of Olovo
(€ 10.700.00), Vares (€ 10.700.00),
Rogatica (€ 14.300.00),
Cajnice (€ 3.575.00), Canton Gorazde, representing Gorazde, Pale-Praca, Foca-Ustikolina
(€ 21.500.00)
Financial contribution of each beneficiary (15% of the grant value then invested in community projects)
Establishment of 170 sustainable small businesses, through in-kind grant support, training and vocational education.
Main Development Partners:
Sarajevo Economic Regional Development Agency (SERDA)
Regional Economic Development Agency for the Drina Region (REDRIN)
Agricultural Institute in Sarajevo
The project in brief:
The project focused on the job creation and the economic support to the local development in Eastern and Central Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In line with HELP’s “Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe” (help for self-help) approach, this project aimed to support entrepreneurial efforts and foster self-reliance through provision of in-kind grants (consisting of equipment and materials), training and support to socially vulnerable individuals with healthy business ideas.
The project targeted beneficiaries from the socially vulnerable population but did not discriminate between local population and returnees as the goal was to offer an equal, merit-based opportunity to all eligible applicants. Key selection criteria, next to vulnerability, were the viability of the business idea combined with the applicant’s qualifications and attitude as these are the factors that will “make or break” the new enterprise.
The project idea was welcomed by local authorities as it represents action in direct support of top priority issues in the local development strategies, facilitates the process of sustainable development as a whole and offers valuable synergies with other regional and local initiatives. The municipal authorities have taken an active role in the project implementation and decision making process.
Main objectives of the project:
Establishment of 170 sustainable small businesses, through in-kind grant support, training and vocational education.
Creation of at least one job per business, and the stimulation of further growth and employment.
Concretely
170 small businesses have received in-kind grants and trainings
(average amount per beneficiary: EUR 1,500) provided by HELP in cooperation with the municipal authorities and local development partners.
Each partner municipality has then carried out a municipal project benefiting the community at large (e.g. renovation of playgrounds, school facilities etc.) thanks to the beneficiaries’ financial contribution (15% of the value of the grant put into a community fund).
HELP’s Grant Officers have been providing advice and assistance to each beneficiary
Each beneficiary gave 10 hours of his/her time in some community work in his/her municipality.
Additional component of the project:
“Repair and adaptation of eco-tourism facilities”
Place: Ruda Glava, Kalinovik
Funder: the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sarajevo (€ 12.500.00 out of the total donation)
Partners:
Green Visions d.o.o.
Tourism & Environment Initiative
The project in brief:
HELP, together with the targeted municipalities and Green Visions, the leading Bosnian eco-tour operator, has identified eco-tourism facilities (2 mountain lodges) in the project area which needed repairs and adaptations to attract tourists. As a result of the repair/upgrading, the lodges will be included into the tourist offering of the region and the influx of tourists to these areas will provide income generation opportunities to nearby rural communities as well as create synergies with the grant-assistance scheme.
This component of the project is a part of the Tourism & Environment Initiative (TEI), currently launching a major eco-tourism programme in BiH which will involve municipalities, SME’s, NGO’s and community members in a joint effort to develop and promote the growth of the profitable and environment-friendly tourism sector, build local capacities and create jobs in remote rural areas.
