Belgrad, March 24, 2022 – The Program for Sustainable Businesses is a program from Smart Kolektiv, aimed at developing enterprises with strong social and / or environmental impact in Serbia and improving their investment readiness. Enterprises with the greatest potential for further business development and social impact will have the opportunity to apply for an innovative financial instrument – an interest-free loan worth up to EUR 50,000.00. During the five months of the program, the participants of the program will work together with a team of experienced business mentors, entrepreneurs and investors on a business development strategy and on preparing them for impact investments from Serbia and abroad.
The Program for Sustainable Businesses is part of the Smart Impact Fund – Fund for the Development of Sustainable Economy, which will invest about half a million euros in the next 5 years in initiatives and companies that contribute to sustainable and positive changes in their communities.
Applications for participation in the program are open until April 17, 2022 until 11:59 p.m.
Registration is done via the online form at this LINK.
More information about the program and guidelines for applying LINK
PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES:
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
Through an intensive program of interactive workshops and 1-on-1 mentoring, enterprises will analyze and improve their business model, develop financial business projections, social impact reports and presentations for domestic and foreign impact investors.
TEAM OF EXPERIENCED MENTORS AND CONSULTANTS
Thanks to 15 years of experience in supporting initiatives and enterprises with strong social influence, Smart Kolektiv has developed a consulting and mentoring network consisting of more than 30 successful entrepreneurs, business experts and investors.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS TAILORED FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Opportunity for enterprises to apply for an interest-free loan of up to EUR 50,000, tailored to the needs of each enterprise, in a way that the program simultaneously encourages business development and social impact.
NETWORKING WITH COMPANIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Enterprises will have the opportunity to connect and develop cooperation with other organizations, enterprises and companies in Serbia, which operate responsibly towards the community and the environment.
NETWORKING WITH IMPACT INVESTORS
Opportunity for enterprises to present themselves to domestic and foreign investors who invest in companies with social impact. Smart Kolektiv is part of the leading European and global networks that bring together impact investors and organizations that support the growth and development of an economy with social impact.
MEASURABLE SOCIAL IMPACT
Companies will be supported to improve the measurement and communication of their social impact in accordance with internationally recognized methodologies and sustainable development goals.
WHO CAN APPLY:
The program is intended for micro and small enterprises, cooperatives and organizations from Serbia, which have been registered for at least two years, already generate income on the market and want to develop strategies for further growth and financing of their business. During the selection of the enterprises, the sustainability of the business, the positive impact on society and / or the environment, the potential for business growth and social impact, as well as the organizational capacity of the company will be assessed. The impact that enterprises have on the environment through their business will be additionally recognized in the assessment.
FUND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY:
The Fund for the Development of Sustainable Economy was initiated and implemented by Smart Kolektiv, a pioneering organization in the field of social entrepreneurship and socially responsible business, with over 15 years of experience in supporting individuals, organizations and companies that contribute to sustainable development.
The Program for Sustainable Businesses is part of the five-year strategy and Program of the Smart Impact Fund – Fund for the Development of Sustainable Economy. The Fund strives to provide long-term professional and financial support to social enterprises in various stages of development and thus contribute to the development of an economy with positive social impact. By 2024, the program will invest about half a million euros in initiatives and enterprises that contribute to sustainable and positive changes in their communities.
The Program for Sustainable Businesses is implemented with the support of: EFSE Entrepreneurship Academy, Open Society Foundation, the Balkan Trust for Democracy of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Belgrade.
The Smart Impact Fund was launched by Smart Kolektiv in 2020 with support of the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA) and the former USAID-funded Framework for Giving project that was implemented by the Coalition for Giving led by the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation.
APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM AND MORE INFORMATION:
For all additional questions, you can contact us by email: aleksandar@smartkolektiv.org or by calling: 011 2659700.
More information about the program can be found on our website www.smartkolektiv.org
