The Employment Agency of Montenegro (EAM) has announced the first Public Call for allocation of grants, for start-ups and new businesses in the country, in the total value of € 1.2 million. This money will be awarded to more than 400 beneficiaries of self-employment grants, or more than 400 new businesses, over three one-year cycles.
The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Kemal Purisic, said that within three-year-project for self-employment, a total of EUR 3.5 million will be allocated, provided from the pre-accession funds of the European Union (EU), through the EU-Montenegro Program for Employment, Education and Social protection.
The long-term unemployment remains one of the key challenges in the labour market, said Suljo Mustafic, Director of the Employment Agency of Montenegro.
All unemployed persons who have been registered with the EAM for at least six months on the date of the Call announcement, with a focus on young people, women and long-term unemployed, have the opportunity to apply. ‘So, I invite all those who are willing to try to start own business, to get the information in the Labour Offices all over Montenegro as well as on the Employment Agency website’ – said Mr. Mustafic. According to him, the money offered by the Employment Agency is not a gift, it is a grant to start a new business.
In addition to financial support, the Employment Agency will provide trainings and advisory services for applicants during the application and implementation process.