—
—
The Croatian Agency for Small Business, Innovation and Investment (HAMAG-BICRO) organized a conference to mark the completion of the project Development of a Network of Entrepreneurial Support Institutions through HAMAG-BICRO (BOND 2) and once again gathered members of the BOND Network from all over Croatia in one place.
—
—
The conference was opened with introductory remarks by the CEO of HAMAG-BICRO, Vjeran Vrbanec.
– By connecting entrepreneurial support institutions from all parts of Croatia into the BOND Network and standardizing their services, we have ensured equal access to information for all our entrepreneurs. Through this project, they have been provided with structured support, as well as access to expert knowledge through a network of mentors and mutual communication and knowledge transfer via a developed digital platform. In the desire to decentralize the Agency’s services, we opened 20 branches in each county and made them available to entrepreneurs in every corner of our beautiful country – said Vrbanec.
—
—
Ante – Janko Bobetko, Deputy CEO of HAMAG-BICRO, emphasized that HAMAG-BICRO, through the implementation of the BOND project, has raised the level of competencies of entrepreneurial support institutions, developed educational materials, and new services that will facilitate the realization of business ventures for entrepreneurs and those who wish to become entrepreneurs.
– By certifying members of the BOND Network, the implementation of new knowledge and services is ensured throughout the Republic of Croatia – said Ante Janko Bobetko.
—
—
The conference was attended by Petar Šimić as the envoy of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development. The participants were addressed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds Domagoj Mikulić.
– We are approaching the end of the use of the first comprehensive financial perspective, and without European Union funds, many projects could not have been realized, certainly not in such a short time. The BOND project is yet another shining example of cooperation between Croatia and the European Union and can be an inspiration and encouragement for all entrepreneurs in Croatia to utilize available resources and opportunities. Ahead of us are new perspectives, never more funds available, and never greater opportunities. In this context, the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, remains committed to entrepreneurs and economic development, to all those who wish to grow and develop and improve their businesses, which will also be reflected in the calls that will be announced at the end of this year and in the first quarter of next year – emphasized Mikulić.
—
—
The County Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County Ivan Anušić welcomed everyone and highlighted who all participates in the project.
– A total of 14 entrepreneurial support institutions from our county are participating in the BOND project, and I am pleased to see the presented results of a truly quality project. As a County, we continue to create a stimulating environment for the development of entrepreneurial activity, and the construction of the Economic Center of Osijek-Baranja County, which will provide new business infrastructure, will enhance the economic visibility of the region and improve the entrepreneurial climate in eastern Croatia – he emphasized.
—
—
On behalf of the City of Osijek, the Deputy Mayor Jasenka Crnković addressed the participants.
– I congratulate you on this successful project that has enabled networking and, most importantly, that every entrepreneur receives all the information they need in one place. It is essential that we develop an entrepreneurial mindset through our institutions and engage as many young people as possible to turn towards the development of entrepreneurship – said Crnković.
—
—
Mate Kovač, Director of the Sector at HAMAG-BICRO, and Franjo Vukić, Project Manager of BOND 2, presented the results of the BOND 2 project implementation and the established BOND Network, which currently consists of 96 entrepreneurial support institutions, most of which come from Osijek-Baranja County. The results achieved by the project significantly exceed the initially defined indicators – from the set target of 60 members of the BOND Network, 96 have been enrolled, from the set target of three services, five have been standardized, from the set target of 50 mentors, 227 have been gathered in the mentor network, from the set target of five mentor networks, 27 have been established, from the set target of 15 certified PPIs, 42 have been certified, from the set target of 11 local and regional government units from which certified PPIs come, 18 counties have been covered by certification.
—
—
Within the BOND 2 project, a mentor network has been established, a unique national network in Croatia that encompasses more than 200 mentors. More than 450 entrepreneurs have been involved in the mentoring process, and over 2,000 hours of mentoring have been conducted. Through the project, 42 entrepreneurial support institutions from almost every county in the Republic of Croatia have been certified based on their activities aimed at entrepreneurs. There are five levels of certification that are renewed annually according to clearly defined criteria, and the entire process is overseen and implemented by HAMAG-BICRO.
In order to better connect members of the BOND Network and share knowledge, a digital platform has been developed within the BOND 2 project. It is intended for communication and knowledge transfer among BOND Network members, recording consultations conducted with entrepreneurs, as well as mentoring entrepreneurs. Through the BOND project, HAMAG-BICRO’s services have been decentralized by opening 20 branches in each county, thus enabling equal access to information for all small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Croatia. The total value of the project amounts to 6.6 million euros. The project was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
The content of the published material is the sole responsibility of HAMAG-BICRO.
—
—
