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Economic empowermentGender equality

40 grant contracts awarded in Leskovac

On Friday, 29 October 2021, Help awarded 40 grant contracts for the economic empowerment of micro and small businesses.

In-kind grants in the average value of 2,400 EUR were awarded to 40 micro and small businesses (13 women and 27 men) in Leskovac.

Supported beneficiaries are engaged in service (15 grants) and craft (23 grants) activities. Signees have already attended a one-day business training aimed at improving their entrepreneurial knowledge and skills and supporting their businesses towards sustainability.

As many as twelve small businesses have a condition to hire one new worker, thus making the expected number of employees in this project increase by 30 per cent.

Start-up pastry-cook, 27-year old Milan, a father of a toddler and a nursling, said: “Without the Help’s project, I would not have been able to start producing pastry and cakes on my own.

“In every job, in addition to effort, will and talent, the tools are required. For me as a single parent, it was unthinkable at this point to purchase the equipment at this value. I thank Help, the Mayor and the City for enabling me to continue and expand my business” said Brankica, owner of the shop for ornaments, upon receiving the grant contract.

Mayor of Leskovac, Goran Cvetanovic, pointed out the cooperation with Help and the support the city administration is providing its fellow citizens in the development of entrepreneurship: “The City of Leskovac is implementing as many incentives like this one as possible to encourage our citizens in entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.”

Supported micro and small businesses that will receive equipment for beginning or expanding businesses are engaged in recycling, textile printing, bookkeeping and catering services, as well as psychotherapy, skin-care, legal services. In addition to wood processing and pallet production, there are also finishing works in construction, painters, masons and fitters.  The list of activities includes car mechanics, tinsmiths, welders, then metal fences and gates craftsmen, bedding and linen, lazy bags and chairs of eco-material, or ornaments production.

The direct input value for 40 in-kind grants amounts to 96 thousand Euros, with the Cities participation of it by 30 per cent.

This is the Help’s ninth project cycle of economic empowerment in Leskovac since 2005. Total 336 beneficiaries and one cooperative were supported with in-kind grants in the previous period with a sustainability rate of 80 per cent.

Project

Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans

Economic empowerment of marginalised groups including COVID-19 recovery measures, their social inclusion and prosperity.

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