Coalition for higher voice of small business

29.01.
2013

"COALITION FOR HIGHER VOICE OF SMALL BUSINESS" IS PROJECT FINANCED BY EU THROUGH INSTRUMENT FOR PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE (IPA 2012)

Project is implemented by Entrepreneurship and Business Association LiNK Mostar in collaboration with partners Independent office for Development – NBR Gradačac, Centre for promotion of local development - PLOD Bihać, Association of entrepreneurs and employers – UPIP Žepče, Wood and Furniture Cluster – Prijedor and Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti – COSPE Italia.

Total project amount is 261.105,00 EUR out of which 89,46% is financed by EU with partners co financing of 10,54%. Project duration is 20 months.

Overall objective
To accelerate reforms for a creation of a favourable business environment in line with the EU Small Business Act by operations of a CSOs network.

Specific objective(s):

To strengthen the voice of small businesses and make their requests comprehensible and easily applicable
To increase awareness of the government institutions and public about importance to respect voices of small businesses

Main activities:

Strengthening of associations of SMEs (initiate a creation of new ones, strengthening the existing ones)
Establishment of coalitions of association of micro and small entrepreneurs (raising awareness about the importance of SMEs, creation of a common platform)
Joint analysis of the business environment carried out in cooperation with the academic community
Monitoring and local campaigns

Target group(s): 142.420 small businesses in 58 local communities and 10 new associations of micro and small enterprises (we plan to establish), 29 existing associations of entrepreneurs, seven key governmental institutions (BH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Federal Ministry for Entrepreneurship, Crafts and Development, RS Ministry for Mining and Industry, cantonal ministries for economy in Tuzla, Bihać, Mostar and Zenica), and seven faculties of economics in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Estimated results:

Supported establishment of 10 new associations (to participate in networking activities and representation of small business);
Strengthened capacities of 15 existing associations by applying minimal work standards;
Established a coalition of associations of micro and small entrepreneurs;
Initiated and implemented joint actions of the academic community and associations of entrepreneurs;
Key governmental policies monitored and raised public awareness about operations/lack of operations of the key ministries;