On 6 August 2026, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted two decrees establishing two separate support programmes. The public calls, which will specify the application deadlines and required documentation, will be published subsequently.
“Equal Development Opportunities and Chances for Underdeveloped Areas of Serbia”
- A total of RSD 80 million has been allocated for the implementation of this Programme. Eligible applicants include existing and newly established entrepreneurs, cooperatives and micro-enterprises registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA), which operate in local self-government units classified in the third and fourth development groups, as well as in devastated areas. The founder of the business entity must be a natural person.
- Grants are awarded in amounts ranging from RSD 300,000 to RSD 800,000 and may cover up to 100% of the total investment value, including VAT. Where the value of the investment exceeds RSD 800,000, the beneficiary must finance the difference from its own funds.
- The funds are intended for the procurement of new equipment, machinery and tools, new computer equipment and software licences used in the production process. Raw materials may account for up to 25% of the total investment, while operating costs may account for up to 20%. Importantly, the equipment and raw materials must not be delivered or paid for, either in whole or in part, prior to the issuance of the decision granting the funds.
- Business entities that have been operating for more than six months are also required to provide evidence of their existing business activities, including, inter alia, photographs of the business premises and existing machinery, a fixed assets register or inventory list, as applicable, and invoices evidencing the supply of their own products. Business entities that have been operating for less than six months are not required to submit this documentation.
- The Programme also prescribes additional eligibility requirements relating to the settlement of due public revenue liabilities, the permitted amount of de minimis aid, business reputation, requirements applicable to equipment suppliers, and the prohibition of double funding. Certain sectors and activities are expressly excluded from eligibility.
- Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Economy, in accordance with the public call to be published on the Ministry’s website. Each business entity may submit only one application, while the application deadline will be specified in the public call.
“United for Success in Every Region”
- A total of RSD 80 million has also been allocated for this Programme, which is intended for associations contributing to the development of entrepreneurship.
- Eligible applicants are associations registered with the SBRA no later than 31 December 2025, having their registered office and carrying out activities in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and whose objectives, as set out in their constitutive act and/or articles of association, are aligned with the objectives of the Programme. Among other requirements, an association must not have recorded a net loss in 2025, its bank account must not be blocked, it must have settled all due public revenue liabilities, and it must be able to demonstrate sufficient capacity to manage the project for which funding is sought.
- Under this Programme, grants ranging from RSD 300,000 to RSD 1,000,000 per project may be awarded, covering up to 100% of eligible costs, with no mandatory co-financing requirement.
- The funds may be used, inter alia, for the procurement of equipment required for the association’s activities, the organisation of or participation in fairs, bazaars and local events, training, promotion and connecting members with customers, the development and use of e-commerce channels, as well as product and service certification. Only one project may be approved per association, and all project activities must be completed no later than 1 March 2027.
- The public call will be published on the website of the Ministry of Economy and on the eGovernment Portal (eUprava), while applications will be submitted to the Ministry of Economy in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the public call.
Both Programmes have therefore been adopted; however, applications may only be submitted once the respective public calls are published. In the meantime, interested business entities and associations may assess whether they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements and prepare the documentation required for submission.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.