HELP Hilfe-zur-Selbsthilfe

„BOS 203 – Poverty reduction through support to local economic development and economic empowerment in Central BiH“

Period: 01.03.2012 – 31.10.2013

Place: Konjic, Jablanica, Kiseljak, Kakanj i Kladanj

Funded by: the German Foreign Ministry, through the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (€ 358.600,00)

Co-funded by:
the municipality of Konjic (€ 23.775,07)
the municipality of Kladanj (€ 18.406,51)
the municipality of Jablanica (€ 18.406,51)
the municipality of Kiseljak (€ 18.406,51)
the municipality of Kakanj (€ 15.850,05)
Financial contribution of each beneficiary (15% of the grant value)

The project in brief:
The project is continuation of previous projects supported by the German government through Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in BiH. The project is focused on the job creation and the economic support to the local development in Central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 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. 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 1,600 for the ideas in the sector of agriculture and EUR 1,800 for the ideas in the field of crafts and services. In addition, HELP eV will provide additional employment opportunity for 20 women from the municipality of Konjic and Jablanica in cooperation with UNDP and NGO BH Crafts through intensive knitting course and possibility to be involved in a network of BH Crafts producers. BH Crafts is a member of the Fair Trade Organization, which guarantee better working conditions and earnings for its members.

Main objectives of the project:

Establishment of 180 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.

„BOS 197 – „MSME Development in Gorazde, Rogatica, Foca and Novo Gorazde“

Period: 09.09.2010 – 31.08.2012

Place: Goražde, Foča-Ustikolina, Pale-Prača, Rogatica, Foča i Novo Goražde

Funded by: European Union (€ 399.600,00)

Co-funded by:
Municipality of Goražde (€ 19.949,05)
Municipality of Foča-Ustikolina (€ 5.985,45)
Municipality of Pale-Prača (€ 1.995,15)
Municipality of Foča (€ 17.956,35)
Municipality of Rogatica (€ 17.956,35)
Municipality of Novo Goražde (€ 7.980,60)
Financial contribution of each beneficiary (15% of the grant value)

The overall objective of the project is to generate economic growth and employment through assistance to competitive economic sectors in BiH, create sustainable self-employment, reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development in the targeted region with the main focus on the empowerment of the SME sector. The specific objective – job creation and micro-enterprise development through business incubation achieved through the following components:

1. The establishment or upgrading of 180 MSME businesses in the regional strategic sectors identified, through in-kind grant support, training, vocational education and production certification.
2. The creation of registration of at least one job per business.
3. Establishment of network of supported agricultural producers which are communicating with the municipalities and exchanging experiences and information.
4. A progress monitoring and advisory assistance to the newly established businesses through consulting, information exchange, assistance with product/service placement and joining supply chains and professional associations, in order to improve performance and profitability.