Podgorica, 11 March 2020

Higher Employment through Projects worth 540,000 Euros with the Support from the Kingdom of Norway

The Kingdom of Norway will support 30 projects for the improvement of employment and support to the businesses in the lesser developed areas of Montenegro, though the Norway for You – Montenegro“ project.

The Kingdom of Norway will support 30 projects for the improvement of employment and support to the businesses in the lesser developed areas of Montenegro, though the Norway for You – Montenegro“ project. These projects in the total value of 540,000 Euros will contribute to the employment of at least 35 persons and increase of the sustainability and competitiveness of the small businesses, so the representatives of the companies and organisations which will implement these projects received today certificates of the grant support from the Kingdom of Norway.

“Ministry of Economy and the “Norway for You – Montenegro” have a common objective to provide support to the business sector and the local self-governments, and it is very important that many of the beneficiaries come from the lesser developed municipalities. These projects which target development of the lesser developed areas deserve attention and our effort to support this process, while the quantity of applications submitted within these two calls proves the need for this type of support,“ Miloš Čelanović, the Director of the Directorate for Development within the Ministry of Economy stated.

Based on the submitted project proposals within the public call, the funding was approved for 21 projects for entrepreneurs and small businesses, which will support the employment in the lesser developed areas. For these activities, the Kingdom of Norway allocated 192,000 Euros, while the businesses co-fund with 48,000 Euros.

“Project “Norway for You – Montenegro“, funded by the Kingdom of Norway, is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and other line ministries that deal with employment and regional development. Support to the small businesses has the objective to improve employment in 16 municipalities included in the project, while we expect that the organisations for support to the businesses work with the business subjects on development of their competitiveness, production and revenue growth,“ Armen Čekić, the “Norway for You – Montenegro“ Project Manager said.

Nine projects for business support were selected within the public call, to directly or indirectly influence the generation of the revenue and employment opportunities, while the cooperation of all involved parties on the municipal level will be increased. The Kingdom of Norway funds these activities with 286,000 Euros, while the business support organisation participate with 15,000 Euros.