Germany’s HELP and City of Pirot aiding development of micro and small enterprises – Equipment for 16 new program participants

A total of 16 contracts within the second round of support to development of micro and small businesses, a project jointly realized by the German organization HELP and the City of Pirot, were signed on Thursday, April 27, in the city.

Among the new participants are agricultural producers and tradesmen, and a grant in the form of equipment for legal practice activities was provided for the first time.

– Eight women and as many men are to perform crafts, agricultural and service activities. Grants in the form of equipment for various activities were provided in line with the city’s priorities. For the first time in Pirot, legal practice activities were included, in addition to the standard hairdressing, tailoring, sheet metal working and agricultural production activities – said senior manager for economic development of HELP, Masa Bubanj.

Mayor of Pirot Vladan Vasic thanked HELP for the successful cooperation and expressed his satisfaction over the fact that a half of the signees were women.

– This is a step forward in the development of female entrepreneurship. We will continue our cooperation. HELP is providing two thirds of funds for supporting micro and small businesses, whereas the city administration is providing the remaining third – Vasic said.

An agreement on the new project “Support to Social and Economic Stability in the Western Balkans Region” was signed as well. The project is realized by HELP with four towns in Serbia, one of which is Pirot.

– This is a new project, which is realized, in addition to Pirot, in Leskovac, Ub and Nis as well, and is financed by the German government – said Masa Bubanj.

The project is supposed to support 40 participants. The result of the cooperation of the local self-government in Pirot and HELP in the past year is that around EUR 1.7 million has been set aside for 400 participants so far.

There’s great interest for participating in the program.

– The HELP’s aid means a lot to me, as I’m getting equipment for my hairdressing and cosmetics shop – says hairdresser Marijana Pesic, whereas Milko Pejcev adds that he also appreciates the equipment he’s getting for his strawberry plantation.

Aside from individual grants, HELP has so far realized and supported the development of three cooperatives in Pirot, as well as other activities.

HELP- Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V. Beograd

Grad Pirot

Bundesregierung Deutschland

HELP

City of Pirot

German government

micro and small businesses

micro and small enterprises

Masa Bubanj

Vladan Vasic

Support to Social and Economic Stability in the Western Balkans Region

Milko Pejcev

Marijana Pesic