Posts in category: Vesti

The association ENECA, from Niš, is organizing info days (informative events) in the coming weeks, where a public call for the support program “Working for nature!” will be presented, giving all those interested the opportunity to learn about the application process, selection criteria and steps towards a successful report.

SCHEDULE OF THE INFO DAY OF THE SUPPORT PROGRAM “WE WORK FOR NATURE!”

       27.11.2023 – NOVI PAZAR – PROTECTED AREA GOLIJA

Location: RRA SEDA building, 7 July bb

Time: 12:00h

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DWGih_6gTwmTVPHvDV2ZxG4AEOnLf3zUyhEqRKcNDa0/edit

        01.12.2023. – KURŠUMLIJA – RADAN MOUNTAIN NATURE PARK

Location: hall of the Municipal Council (Proleterski brigada street bb, 18430 Kuršumlija)

Time: 12:00h

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FPNMgvlvC178B0udcmX5yoR4MBx8_8HUT1E91j4boMs/edit

       04.12.2023. – BACKI MONOSHTOR – SPECIAL NATURE RESERVE OF THE UPPER DUNABULJE

Location: Library – Civic Activities Center, Ivan Goran Kovačića 32

Time: 12:00h

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zorN1iAtxnGnQ0stTll1xOzRUU04S8nYAN2gPX6f_zU/edit

       08.12.2023. – KNJAŽEVAC – STARA PLANINA NATURE PARK

Location: Regional Center for Professional Development, Jove Kursule 1

Time: 11:00 am

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xi5VAj2Pzskl0tw59eo3FUp4YTElMCV2ZOddDJpsems/edit

       11.12.2023. – DONJI MILANOVAC – ĐERDAP NATIONAL PARK

Location: Building NP Đerdap, Kralja Petra I 14A

Time: 12:00h

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VYLo5CXUntO43os0byEJJA7HJjez6L2_mkS572aAmD8/edit

       13.12. 2023 – ONLINE ZOOM INFO DAY FOR ALL 5 PROTECTED AREAS

Time: 12:00h

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83605397621?pwd=UU5LWGt6YVk4alhkcHNIRUF0V1huZz09

Meeting ID: 836 0539 7621; Passcode: 1111

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MVWy6OfwC_-gTqZqfDJ3QqrK9ipAySjX-7PeHWAibTc/edit

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The program “We work for nature!” provides support to registered agricultural farms, rural tourist households, entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises and natural persons to apply for projects aimed at preserving the environment and local communities. Until August 31, 2027, the program will support at least 40 business ventures, offering them financial and non-financial support in the amount of 5 to 10 thousand US dollars.

HOW TO APPLY

The deadline for submitting project ideas is December 25, 2023, until 11:59 p.m. Application for participation in the Working for Nature Program! submitted exclusively electronically to the address konkurs@eneca.org.rs. Project proposals submitted in any other way will not be considered.

You can find more information about the project submission guidelines on the website: zazivotnusredinu.bos.rs

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Serbia is facing the challenges of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Only 8.18% of the territory of Serbia is protected, which lags behind the regional average. The program “We work for nature!” aims to support innovative business ventures, facilitating the transition to sustainable business models and contributing to development in protected areas.

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Milivoje Jovanović, program manager of ENECA, invites all interested individuals and organizations to apply for the “Working for nature” support program. The selected projects are expected to contribute to reducing the negative impact on the environment, support local communities and improve awareness of sustainable business models.

Be part of the solution! Your idea can contribute to preserving nature and improving the economic sustainability of communities.

You can find more information about the program on the website: zazivotnusredinu.bos.rs

PARTNERS ON THE “TOGETHER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” PROJECT

This support program is part of the five-year project “Together for the Environment” funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Belgrade Open School (BOŠ). Other project partners are ENECA, the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Young Researchers of Serbia (MIS).

On Monday, November 27, 2023, starting at 12:00, the Regional Development Agency SEDA in Novi Pazar will organize an Info Day of the Support Program “We work for nature!”.

This program, implemented as part of the “Together for the Environment” project, aims to provide expertise, knowledge, and financial support to business initiatives that want to reduce their impact on the environment, implement innovative business practices, and create new value.

At the Info Day, there will be a presentation of the public call of the Program “Hired by Nature!” and all those interested have the opportunity to be informed about the application process, selection criteria, and steps towards a successful application.

Application for attendance at the info day is made by filling out a questionnaire.

The “Together for the Environment” project will support at least 40 business ventures by August 31, 2027, including agricultural holdings, rural tourism households, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of the call is to help the mentioned groups in the transformation of business towards sustainable business.

Participants of the Info Day will also have the opportunity to learn details about the support provided by the Together for the Environment project. This support includes both financial aspects and non-financial resources. The best business initiatives after three stages of selection will be awarded a financial donation in the amount of 5 to 10 thousand US dollars and non-financial support. The selected projects will be implemented in 2024. In addition to financial support, mentoring, and expert support will be available with which they will be able to develop their knowledge and capacities.

Applications for participation in the Program “Working for Nature!” are received exclusively electronically to the address konkurs@eneca.org.rs until December 25, 2023.

This Info Day represents an exceptional opportunity for business entities to find out how they can contribute to the preservation of the environment, improve their business and at the same time create value for the community. Be part of this inspiring initiative and work together for nature!

Program Hired by Nature! is realized within the framework of the five-year project “Together for the Environment” implemented by the Belgrade Open School (BOŠ) and the American Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with the Young Researchers of Serbia, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the association ENECA, an international organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham).

Are you interested in starting or improving your own business that will have an impact on reducing the negative impact on the environment and the local community, and will enable the growth and development of business in protected areas in Serbia through the successful application of sustainable business models in the agricultural – food and tourism sector?

Do you have a clear idea about your innovative business venture and transition to business models that do not have a negative impact on the environment?

If you are

Registered agricultural holding,

Rural tourist household,

Entrepreneur, or micro, small and medium enterprises and

Individual

which plans to start business, develop or improve its business initiative on the territory of the municipalities where the protected areas of Serbia are located (National Park Đerdap, Golija, Stara planina, Radan, Gornje Podunavlje)

Then this is the call for you!

SIGN UP!

You can download the application form below.

Working-for-nature-Application-form Download

As part of the five-year project “Together for the Environment”, ENECA announces a call for submission of project ideas for the Support Program Let’s Work for Nature!

Within the component Working for Nature! a public call for donations is being conducted with the aim of starting or improving business initiatives that will have/have a positive impact on the environment and the local community in the municipalities where the protected areas are located. The protected areas covered by this invitation are:

Djerdap National Park,

Golija Nature Park,

Special Nature Reserve of Upper Danube Region,

Stara Planina Nature Park, i

Radan Nature Park.

The call for project proposals refers to existing or future micro and small businesses, agricultural farms, rural tourist households that want to transform or start their business using a business model of sustainable business in the agri-food sector and the tourism sector. The business models of sustainable business, recognized by this invitation, are based on three principles: Reducing the consumption of resources (reduce), reusing resources (reuse) and recycling materials (recycle). Project proposals are expected to necessarily include one or more of the mentioned principles in the project activities.

BASIC INFORMATION

The support program will provide expertise, knowledge and equipment to business initiatives. The project Together for the Environment, in the period until August 31, 2027, will support at least 40 business enterprises, such as agricultural farms, rural tourism households, various small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them to reduce their impact on the environment, but also to use innovative business practices and create new value.

Project support is reflected in the provision of financial and non-financial support in order to establish or transform business towards sustainable business in the protected area.

Eligible activities that can be financed from this program are:

• Procurement of equipment for the purpose of launching or improving, i.e. developing new products and services, increasing productivity, supporting the development of products and services with greater added value and facilitating market expansion while respecting the principles of sustainable business in a protected area.

• Provision of services that contribute to the launch or improvement of the quality of existing, i.e. the development of new products, increase in productivity, support the development of products and services with greater added value, enable the introduction of innovations and facilitate market expansion (introduction of quality standards, creation of the company’s internet presentation and online store, branding products and software development, etc.) while respecting the principles of sustainable business in the protected area.

The total project budget must contain a minimum of 60% and a maximum of 100% of costs related to the procurement of equipment, while a maximum of 40% can be used for the procurement of services.

The non-financial support of the “We work for nature!” program is reflected in:

• Mentorship: Beneficiaries of the donation will receive support from mentors with the aim of achieving maximum results and a successful transition to sustainable business in the protected area and its surroundings.

• Increased visibility and promotion: The business of all grant beneficiaries will become more visible through the program’s promotional activities. The results of the project will be presented to the community, highlighting the contribution of the project to sustainable development.

Business ventures that will be supported under the “We work for nature!” component should contribute to:

Reducing the negative impact on the environment and the local community,

Enable the growth and development of business in protected areas in Serbia through the successful application of sustainable business models in the agricultural-food and tourism sectors, and

Promote awareness of the importance of applying sustainable business models in protected areas.

The expected period of realization of the projects is 2024.

More information about the Support Program We work for nature! as well as all conditions for participation in the Program, see the Public Invitation, which you can find below.

Working-for-nature-Public-callDownload

WHO CAN APPLY?

Support within this Call is intended for the following groups:

Registered agricultural holdings,

Rural tourist households,

Entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises and

Natural persons who plan to start a business.

Applicants must conduct their business in the municipalities where the following protected areas are located:

Đerdap National Park (Golubac municipality, Majdanpek municipality and Kladovo municipality),

Golija Nature Park (Municipality of Ivanjica, City of Kraljevo, City of Novi Pazar, Municipality of Raška and Municipality of Sjenica),

Special Nature Reserve Upper Danube (Apatin Municipality and Sombor Town),

Stara Planina Nature Park (Municipality of Knjaževac, City of Pirot, Municipality of Dimitrovgrad and City of Zaječar), and

Radan Nature Park (Lebane Municipality, Bojnik Municipality, Medveđa Municipality, Kuršumlija Municipality and City of Prokuplje).

Each applicant can apply with only one project proposal.

HOW TO APPLY?

Application for participation in the Working for Nature Program! submitted exclusively electronically to the address konkurs@eneca.org.rs. Project proposals submitted in any other way will not be considered.

All project proposals must be submitted using the following form:

Application form for submitting a project idea

You can download the application document below.

Working-for-nature-Application-form Download

HAVE QUESTIONS?

The ENECA team will provide all additional information about the Support Program Working for nature!

Interested applicants can get additional clarifications regarding the invitation and conditions for participation in the support program Let’s work for nature! on phone 064 467 9942.

In order to ensure an equal position of all applicants applying for participation, ENECA cannot give an opinion on the objectives, expected results and activities of individual proposed project proposals, as well as on other elements of the proposal during the open call.

UNTIL WHEN IS THE CALL OPEN?

The deadline for submitting project ideas is December 25. 2023 at 23:59 (CET). Project proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

SIGN UP!

The program is implemented within the framework of the five-year project “Together for the Environment” implemented by the Belgrade Open School (BOŠ) and the American Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with the Young Researchers of Serbia, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the ENECA association, the international environmental organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham).

Within the framework of the UR-DATA project, in cooperation with the partner institutions Poliedra – Politecnico di Milano and Oslo Metropolitan University, a successful workshop called “Unlocking Funding Opportunities: Crafting Winning Project Proposals Workshop” was held. The aim of this educational workshop was to provide useful information and practical advice on financing and development of primarily academic projects, but also projects for non-governmental organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The workshop was held at the Faculty of Economics in Niš, and gathered representatives of the scientific community, as well as the private sector, non-governmental organizations and students interested in acquiring knowledge in the field of financing and project development. One of the lecturers at the workshop was Milivoje Jovanović, director of the non-governmental organization ENECA, who presented his rich experience and knowledge on the topic “Methods of financing and development of projects for non-governmental organizations and SMEs”.

Jovanović presented the participants with a number of useful and practical tips on ways of financing and creating projects for non-governmental organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises. The focus of the lecture was on identifying financial opportunities, writing effective project proposals and successful project implementation.

Workshop participants had the opportunity to ask Jovanović questions, exchange ideas and experiences with other participants in an interactive environment. This interaction enabled the practical application of acquired knowledge to real situations and challenges.

The UR-DATA project and partner institutions, the Faculty of Economics of the University of Niš, Poliedra – Politecnico di Milano and Oslo Metropolitan University, continue to implement educational activities with the aim of supporting the wider community, non-governmental organizations and small businesses in Serbia. Such events are extremely important for the development of the economic community and the improvement of cooperation between sectors.

For more information about the UR-DATA project and future events, visit the official project page at https://urdataproject.com/.

WHO ARE WE?

The Regional EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia is a place of support for representatives of civil society who work to bring Serbia closer to the European Union, and operate in the area of southern and eastern Serbia.

We help the growth and development of organizations and informal groups of citizens through the improvement of their capacities, networking and financial support.

Regional EURC is run by ENECA from Niš and is part of the national EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia, which is run by the Belgrade Open School together with partners: Novi Sad School of Journalism, Užice Center for Children’s Rights, Young Farmers of Serbia (Jagodina), Safe Paths (Bor) and New planning practice (Belgrade).

In Belgrade, our national resource center is responsible for providing support on the territory of the whole of Serbia. In Novi Sad, Užice and Niš, partner organizations are our regional resource centers. There are expert centers in Jagodina, Bor and Belgrade to support organizations dealing with agriculture and rural development, transport policies and urban development.

We invite organizations and informal groups of citizens working on projects that bring Serbia closer to the European Union to contact us.

ENECA

The regional EU resource center in Niš is managed by the ENECA organization and coordinates the work and activities of civil society in the territory of southern and eastern Serbia.

Our mission is local sustainable development in the region of Southeast Europe. We strive to continuously and consistently monitor and respond to the needs of our clients and partners, provide an environment in which they will improve their business, knowledge and abilities. We are an organization dedicated to socially responsible business, taking into account both human needs and the preservation of natural resources.

Since its establishment, ENECA has been active in the field of socio-economic development, whereby over 2,000 small businesses received support in equipment, business and professional training, direct monitoring and counseling through direct assistance programs.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

Our mission is to, through the work of the regional EURC, help the civil society that operates in the area of southern and eastern Serbia, and which is for Serbia in the European Union!

The role of civil society in the European integration process of Serbia is significant and visible. It was and remains the force that directs Serbia towards the European Union and the country’s most useful partner in the negotiation process. Active contribution to the reform process and Serbia’s approach to the European Union will remain a priority of civil society.

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT DO WE PROVIDE?

The Regional EURC seeks to bring together representatives of civil society who work and act in the area of southern and eastern Serbia, and participate in the process of European integration of Serbia. We want to unite the strength of groups and individuals, connect them with each other and empower them.

There are three main types of support we provide:

Improving the capacity of organizations and groups through group trainings and individual mentoring

Civil society networking

Financial support through grants

ENECA has completed the call for free online 𝐈𝐓 training.

The trainings are free of charge and will be conducted in the upcoming period ONLINE as part of the project New economic opportunities for returnees and vulnerable categories of citizens in southern and eastern Serbia.

IT trainings that will be conducted:

Front-End Developer

Back-End Developer

Full-Stack Developer

ENECA invites all those interested to apply for free online 𝐈𝐓 training. The trainings are free of charge and are conducted ONLINE as part of the project New economic opportunities for returnees and vulnerable categories of citizens in southern and eastern Serbia. Notification of application acceptance and confirmation of participation will be sent later.

IT training we offer:

Front-End Developer

Back-End Developer

Full-Stack Developer

Apply via the link: https://docs.google.com/…/1N22mmG3…/edit or by scanning the QR code.

The training (course) is conducted within the project “New economic opportunities for returnees and vulnerable categories of citizens in southern and eastern Serbia”.

The deadline for sending the application is July 25, 2023.

In the past period, ENECA has very successfully cooperated with interested companies and unemployed persons with completed high school, higher school, or university, from the territories of Niš, Pirot, Jablanica, Bor, Zaječar, and Pčinj districts to implement professional practice programs. As this program was officially completed, the results are listed below.

Through the PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PROGRAM, 60 companies found adequate and professional candidates and hired new workforce, while a total of 101 unemployed persons, of which more than 60% are women from various professions and industries, completed or are currently conducting professional internships in the desired companies.

Employers based in one of the 6 regions included in the project and belonging to the private sector had the right to participate.

Unemployed persons who are included in the project and professional practice program have a residence in the territory of one of the 6 regions included in the project, have a high school, higher school or college diploma, belong to the category of young people up to 35 years of age, have no work experience in the profession for which they have acquired certain qualification and are registered in the National Employment Service.

The project particularly encouraged the participation of women, as well as returnees under the Readmission Agreement, potential migrants and members of national minorities.

The project “New economic opportunities for returnees and vulnerable categories of citizens in southern and eastern Serbia” is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) with the support of the American charitable organization Latter-Day Saint Charities (LDS) and is implemented by CARE International. ENECA from Niš and NEXUS from Vranje.

BASF organizes a competition for startups and independent innovators, the best of which receives support for project development, for the third year in a row

The application phase starts on May 30 and lasts until September 29

Ideas from Serbia compete in the Adriatic region, and the two best go to the Grand Finale for the whole of Central and Southeastern Europe

The world’s largest chemical company BASF is once again opening applications for a major competition in innovation this year, to which startups and independent innovators from Serbia can apply. Participation is free, and submitted ideas should offer concrete solutions in the field of green and digital transition. The focus topics of the BASF Innovation Hub 2023 are clean technology, the circular economy and the “farm to fork” strategy – which you can read more about at http://www.join-innovationhub.com.

“The world of startups is exciting, because you never know what ideas are hidden behind young people who create something from scratch that can make lives easier or improve the needs of humanity. Of course, all those ideas remain on paper, if the necessary support is not provided for them to materialize and become available, applicable and self-sustaining on the free market. It is self-sustainability that inspires this year’s Innovation Hub, because our overarching theme – Envision 2050 – is in line with our vision that Europe will become the first climate-neutral continent in 2050,” said BASF director Simon Franco.

Applications for the BASF Innovation Hub 2023 start on May 30 and run until September 29, and the only application requirement is that startup members or individual innovators be over 18 years old. Within the competition for the Adriatic region, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary participate, from where two finalists are chosen to participate in the Grand Final, who will get another opportunity to present their ideas together with the winners of 11 countries of Central and Southeastern Europe. The prize for winning the Grand Final is 5 thousand euros.

Director of the BASF company, Simon Franco, considers the Innovation Hub to be an important event and is happy that in addition to development support for the winner, the company will be happy to provide all participants with other types of support such as visibility, advice and a network of contacts. “We live in a time of rapid development, when the path from idea to implementation is technically more feasible than fifty or even twenty years ago. Therefore, I believe that it is corporations that have a developed infrastructure, and their experts have experience that they can selflessly share with innovators. It is up to us to help developmentally, but also to encourage the culture of entrepreneurship and the independence of innovators. The BASF Innovation Hub, in the form of a competition, represents our contribution to the creation of friendly and constructive competition, which will encourage promising innovators to work even harder and thus develop solutions that will lead us even faster to a greener and cleaner future.”

For more information about the project, conditions and how to apply, visit the official website www.join-innovationhub.com and the official YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@basfinnovationhub/streams.

****About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Approximately 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in almost every sector and in almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. During 2022, the company BASF achieved sales worth around 87.3 billion euros. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS) and the United States (BASFY). For more information, visit the website: www.basf.com

More information about how BASF processes personal data can be found at https://www.basf.com/rs/sr/tools/legal/data-protection.html. From the announcement BASF is again rewarding the ideas of startups and independent innovators from Serbia, you can unsubscribe at cvijeta.radovic@pressoffice.rs.

ENECA, as a local broker of the Education to Employment program, has announced a public call for unemployed persons interested in on-the-job training at the Aleksić Tvrđava restaurant in Niš.

Training currently available:

Waiter training

Young, unemployed people up to the age of 30, as well as unemployed persons from the category of harder-to-employ groups, regardless of age, can apply for the invitation (Women, Long-term unemployed (at least 12 months); Residents of rural areas who live more than 20 km from the place of training and/or without accessible and regular public transport to the place; Persons with disabilities; Victims of domestic violence; Single parents; Persons in the process of leaving, that is, who have left the foster care system in the last 12 months; Roma; Former prisoners / former wards of an educational and correctional institution; Returnees; Asylum seekers / persons who have been granted the right to asylum with a work permit; Beneficiaries of cash social assistance; Unqualified and low-qualified persons (up to level 2); NEET youth (youth who are not employed, nor are in education or training)).

Paid on-the-job training will take place in the restaurant Aleksić Tvrđava.

The expected start period of the training is: June/July 2023.

We invite all interested candidates to contact us and express their interest in participating in the workplace training program by filling out the application.

You can find more information about the public call, the conditions and how to apply, in the text of the Public Call.

Public-invitationDownload

You can apply online by filling out a Google form or through the website.

Application deadline: 09.06.2023. years

By applying to the competition, you get the opportunity to join a paid training program at the workplace and thereby improve your competitiveness on the market, that is, you gain real chances for employment in these areas.

The restaurant has a need for employment of these occupational profiles, so all candidates who successfully complete the training have a real opportunity to establish an employment relationship.