The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted the Regulation on the Establishment of the Program for Supporting Regional Development and Entrepreneurship Development for 2026 (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 34/2026).
The Program is implemented through a standardized set of services provided by accredited regional development agencies (ARRA), and is aimed at:
- local self-government units (LSGs);
- micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs (MSMEs);
- cooperatives, clusters, and social entrepreneurship entities.
The total funds allocated for the implementation of the Program amount to:
- RSD 15 million (regional development);RSD 42 million (support to MSMEs);carried-over unused funds from previous years.
Services (free of charge for beneficiaries) include:
- information on doing business and financing sources;
- training (from beginner to specialized levels);
- advisory support (including preparation of documentation and business plans);
- mentoring (25–50 hours per business entity);
- networking and promotional activities;
- support in accessing subsidy and credit programs.
The Regulation provides detailed rules on:
- eligibility requirements (ARRA accreditation and staffing capacities);
- purpose and use of funds;
- contractual relationships with the Ministry, the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS), and the Development Fund;
- control, reporting, and sanction mechanisms (e.g. penalties for non-compliance).
Timeline:
The Program will be implemented throughout 2026, with final reporting and financial closure in 2027. This Program represents a concrete instrument of non-financial support that can significantly facilitate access to financing, improve business operations, and enhance competitiveness-especially for MSMEs and early-stage entrepreneurs.
If you are operating as an MSME or planning to start a business, it is worth checking which regional development agency is competent for your area and which services are already available to you.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.