The main aim of the project was to promote economic growth and stabilization in Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria, to create a favourable context for the development of local SMEs and to foster co-operation with Italian enterprises by further developing  the existing support network for SMEs in the beneficiary countries. The project main activity was the training of 15 persons already working in the SME support system in the three countries in order to improve the range of services available to entrepreneurs and thus encourage their international competitiveness. The first project activity was the implementation of a detailed survey regarding the existing SME Support structure (i.e. agencies, centres) in Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria. This activity has been carried out by the local experts in each of the beneficiary countries. The local experts and the promoter afterwards detected and analysed the training needs of the SME support structure and the overall needs of local SMEs in terms of assistance services. Once the picture of the current situation was clear, the suitable training programme for the operators dealing with SME assistance was set. The 15 most receptive and motivated candidates for the training were selected from a list of significative organizations screened in the very beginning of the project. The participants have been trained in Italy and then took part in internships in Italian development agencies and other SME support and assistance organizations. In the final part of the project the participants have been given on-the-job assistance provided by an Italian expert in order to guarantee the correct implementation of newly acquired skills. Finally, an Intranet service was implemented as a useful means of sharing experiences and problems.

Type of service

Provide Technical Assistance.

Carry out research surveys.

Provide qualified training to the beneficiaries.

Organization of internships.

Transfer of good practices.

On-the-job assistance to the participants.

Realization of an Intranet.

Organization and Management.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting.