A public call within the specialized program for the award of non-refundable funds worth one million euros, the goal of which is to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be opened tomorrow, July 7.
All those interested will be able to apply until July 21, it was said today at the online info session at which potential project applicants had the opportunity to ask questions to the organizers and get explanations about the conditions of the competition.
Candidates from 12 cities and municipalities – Boljevac, Bor, Golubac, Kladovo, Knjazevac, Majdanpek, Negotin, Pozarevac, Smederevo, Sokobanja, Veliko Gradiste and Zajecar – can apply for the grant.
The goal of the program is to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic and improve tourist services, and the beneficiaries of this assistance can be micro and small entrepreneurs in the field of tourism, including carriers of categorized interference and registered farms, it was said at the conference.
It is about the project “EU for You – EU for cultural heritage and tourism” which is aimed at the development of tourism as a significant economic potential for stimulating the economic development of eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region.
It is funded by the EU, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellsćaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The total budget of the program is one million euros, and the value of an individual project can be a maximum of 10 thousand euros, and a minimum of 2 thousand euros. Own contribution is 10% of the total requested funds.
This includes, though not exclusively, costs for activities such as renovation, adaptation, expansion, improvement of the quality of facilities, including the purchase of necessary equipment – including furniture, kitchen appliances, etc.
It also includes small-scale infrastructure and equipment for existing or newly designed activities offered by the applicant, such as cycling, kayaking, procurement of tents, sports equipment.
Then, the improvement of safety and hygiene standards of facilities and services offered to tourists, introduction of new tourist products and services, introduction of new sales channels, promotional activities can be financed.
Appropriate innovative activities not listed may also be considered for funding if they can clearly contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives and results of this call, the program representatives point out.
Applicants eligible for this Call may be private entities operating in the tourism sector. This includes, although not exclusively, tourist facilities (accommodation service providers, camps, catering facilities, wineries and other companies directly involved in the provision of tourist services, production and sale of souvenirs).
Applicants can be natural persons providing accommodation services, registered agricultural holdings, entrepreneurs / micro and small enterprises (up to 50 employees).
They must be registered with the relevant competent authorities as tourism service providers at least six months before applying for funding, be registered or provide direct services to tourists in the area defined by this call, – in case of investment in modernization, own real estate or sign a contract on the lease for a given real estate for a period of at least five years, Srbija Danas reports.
