August 2012Economic Security Project

Nihat Ugljanin, owner of Brug in Novi Pazar, and member of the ASSTEX Managing Board. ASSTEX leveraged its new permanent presence in the Russian market to attract nearly $800,000 in prospective orders at the CPM Fair in Moscow in March 2012.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development; USAID/Serbia

Project implemented by:

Development Alternatives, Inc.

Key counterparts:

Small and medium-size enterprises;municipalities and cities; Ministry of Youth and Sports; Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency & Chamber of Commerce; other GoS ministries and offices

Where we work:

Providing business support in 14 Sandzak and South Serbia municipalities. Providing youth support throughout Serbia.

Project duration:

May 2006 to March 2013

Contact:

Vase Pelagica 15
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Phone: +381-11 363-9900
Fax: +381-11 363-9950
E-mail: scopes@dai.com
Website: http://www.economicsecurity.rs/

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Economic Security Project is a multi-year that works with youth in marginalized areas to improve their prospects for employment and their ability to pursue commercial ventures. Additionally, it assists manufacturers in Serbia’s poorest regions strengthen their businesses.

ACTIVITIES

Youth Support equips Serbia’s youth with the skill sets required to bridge the gap between what is taught in schools and what is required in the workforce in order to successfully begin building their careers. The project supports:
  • Local Youth Offices in implementing activities to strengthen youth entrepreneurship;
  • The Serbian Government's Youth Strategy to promote youth employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship; and
  • Partnerships with Serbia`s private and public sector to improve internship opportunities.

Business Support promotes economic growth in underdeveloped municipalities in South Serbia and Sandzak by working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industry clusters. The project’s business development strategy involves sector-specific technical assistance to companies with the capacity to expand into neighboring markets.

RESULTS

Youth Support

  • 118 Youth Offices strengthened.
  • 1,831 youths trained in entrepreneurship, and hundreds have found jobs or started new businesses.
  • 31 Youth Offices throughout Serbia developed and adopted Youth Entrepreneurship Action Plans (YEAP).
  • 12,580 youths directly benefited from the YEAP activities.
  • 860 students from South Serbia and Sandzak placed as interns.
  • 6,000 youths are active in the Junior Achievement Program.

Business Support

  • $13.8million in new sales generated at trade fairs.
  • 28% growth among project-supported firms despite the economic downturn versus 13% contraction for non-supported companies.
  • Sandzak Textile Association (ASSTEX) established a permanent distribution center in Moscow to support apparel sales in Russia.
  • Kostana cluster of shoe producers established in South Serbia.
  • Partner firms entered new domestic and 19 foreign markets, including Poland, Russia and Turkey.
  • Activities have created 400new jobs in local communities.

PLANS

  • Support companies exhibit at international and domestic trade fairs.
  • Open Career Centers in Novi Pazar & Bujanovac and 10 new YEAPs.
  • Establish a new cluster of food products companies.