Podgorica, 30 October 2019

Stronger Competitiveness of Economy in Montenegro with Norwegian Support

Increase of competitiveness and strenghtening of economy in the underdeveloped areas are joint objective of the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro and Kingdom of Norway – was the main message today during the informative session within the Public Call for submission of projects for support to development of businesses in Montenegro, through the “Norway for You – Montenegro“ project.

Until 30 November 2019, local Secretariats for Development of Businesses or Entrepreneurship, business centres and associations, clusters, science-research centres and all other entities which provide support to the development of business can submit their project proposals with the objective to enhance sustainability and competitiveness of small businesses. During the informative session in Podgorica, all participants had a chance to get detailed information about the Call.

“I am delighted to see the great interest in this public call, which will help  help entrepreneurs, micro and small businesses, households, cooperatives and civil society organizations to expand into new markets, as well as to introduce new professional standards. Our efforts will contribute to the development of new jobs and decrease of unemployment, especially among the vulnerable social groups. This is why through the project “Norway for You – Montenegro” we jointly want to strengthen economy and witness the progress of the country,” said the Charge de Affaires of Norwegian Embassy Janne Knutrud.

Kingdom of Norway earmarked 200,000 Euros for these projects, with the conditions that the proposed activities under this call will be predominantly implemented in the municipalities of: Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Gusinje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Nikšić, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Rožaje, Šavnik, Ulcinj and Žabljak.

“Objectives of the “Norway for You – Montenegro” project are in the significant part in line with the objectives of the Ministry of Economy, so practically we are on the same mission, and the support to the economy in increase of its competitiveness is especially important segment. From the regional development perspective, with the special attention we monitor the selection of lesser developed municipalities targeted with this project. We appreciate implementation of the “Norway for You” project in Montenegro, for the positive effects which will be realised and partnership,” Miloš Čelanović, the Director of the Directorate for Development within the Ministry of Economy stated.

The call is divided into two lots - for projects implemented in the territory of a sigle municipality and projects to be implemented in two or more municipalities.

„The value of a grant for the first lot can range from 10,000 to 20,000 Euros, while grants for the second lot can range from 20,000 to 40,000 Euros. Project activities can take no longer than ten months,“, Armen Čekić, “Norway for You – Montenegro” Project Manager said.

All details and application forms are available on the “Norway for You – Montenegro” project website (www.norveskazavas.me).

The "Norway for you - Montenegro" project aims to contribute to the balanced socio-economic development of Montenegro, through increasing employment opportunities, supporting social cohesion and improving local infrastructure in less developed municipalities of Montenegro. The project is funded by the Kingdom of Norway with EUR 1.4 million, and field activities are carried out by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).