Actual Achievements (EN): HAMAG-BICRO as Small Project Fund Beneficiary (SPFB) has implemented all activities according to the plan for reporting period 1 (1.3.2024. – 30.6.2024.). Based on the signed Subsidy contract with Managing Authority (MA), this report includes expenditures from 1st December 2023 till 30th June 2024.
Project management team in HAMAG-BICRO was intensively preparing the application for Small Project Fund. The EmBRACE project was presented on Monitoring Committee meeting on 16 February 2024 and also approved by MC. HAMAG-BICRO as SPFB has signed the Subsidy contract with MA and started with implementation on 1 March 2024.
Regarding the A 1.1 SPF scheme management activities, project management team in HAMAG-BICRO prepared documentation for applicants (Guidelines for MSEs as Final Recipients, Subsidy contract for Final Recipients, application package: Small project application form, Small project budget, Joint Statement, De minimis declaration) accompanied by several meetings with Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021 – 2027 Programme bodies. SPFB has also provided the documents and annexes for evaluation of Small Projects and Rules of procedure for Selection Committee members. For preparation of Subsidy contract for Final Recipients, SPFB has used external legal advisory services in order to adjust contract with participating countries in Programme area.
The existing web platform has been upgraded and adapted as comprehensive tool for potential applicants and Final Recipients containing all relevant information about the Programme, EmBRACE project, upcoming awareness raising events, all relevant project documentation for micro and small enterprises with detailed instructions how to apply for Small project and reporting instructions about their Small project implementation. Web platform offer possibility for MSEs to register and find partners or offer partnership.
Selection Committee has been set up based on proposals for appointment of Selection Committee members by National authorities of each country in Programme area. SPFB initiated 1st meeting of SC members in end of June, but the meeting has been postponed for September.
Vehicle has been purchased for project management team in order to enable mobility of team in whole Programme area especially in this period for awareness raising events.
Regarding the A 1.2 SPF promotion and dissemination activities, HAMAG-BICRO has provided project visual identity design including design and print of the project logo, project poster, project leaflet, roll ups, PPT template, promo material.
Upon approval of the documentation for MSEs by the Program Bodies, SPFB launched 1st call for submission of Small Project proposals on June 18th 2024. Call is opened until September 17th 2024. Short video teaser for 1st call for submission of Small Project proposals has also been created and launched.
HAMAG-BICRO started media campaign in the whole Programme area in order to present project itself and to announce 1st call for submission of Small Project proposals.
SPFB started with organisation activities for opening conference (July 3rd 2024) and 1st call workshops for micro and small entrepreneurs (MSEs) in days ahead in whole Programme area.
Regarding the Work package 2 and activity of contracting and implementation of Small Projects, it hasn’t been started yet.
HAMAG-BICRO as Small Project Fund Beneficiary (SPFB) has implemented all activities according to the plan for reporting period 2 (1.7.2024. – 31.10.2024.). Based on the signed Subsidy contract with Managing Authority (MA), this report includes expenditures from 1st July 2024 till 31st October 2024.
Regarding the A 1.1 SPF Scheme Management Activities there has been a change in the project team. As of July 1, 2024, Dunja Margeta is no longer the project manager, a new project manager, Kristina Šetka, was appointed on September 16, 2024.
The procurement process for IT equipment for the project team has been completed, and on September 9, 2024, a contract was signed for the purchase of computers and computer equipment for the Small Project Fund (SPF) under the Interreg VI-A Programme Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro 2021-2027.
The IT equipment includes: 5 Lenovo ThinkPad L1 laptops, 5 Lenovo ThinkVision E27q-20 monitors, 5 Lenovo wireless keyboards and mice, 5 Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Docking Stations, and 5 Lenovo laptop bags. The IT equipment was delivered on October 1, 2024.
The first online meeting with the Selection Committee was held on October 28, 2024. First meeting was intended as the constitutive session of the Selection Committee, during which key information and procedures related to the EmBRACE project, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the committee members, were presented. During the meeting, an analysis of the projects submitted under the first call for Small Projects was also presented, along with a timeline for the evaluation process of those applications. After the meeting, the minutes were sent to all members of the selection committee along with the final version of the rules of procedure for approval.
Regarding the A 1.2 SPF Promotion and Dissemination Activities the EmBRACE Opening Conference—Enhancing MSEs Sustainable Growth and Competitiveness was held in Split on July 3, 2024, where the planned project activities were presented.
Four informative workshops on the EmBRACE project—Enhancing MSEs Sustainable Growth and Competitiveness were held, during which the 1st Call for Small Projects was presented in detail, including the conditions for entrepreneurs' applications, the platform for submitting project proposals, and instructions on how to complete the application form. The informative workshops were held in all three participating countries in the Programme area, in the following order:
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 4, 2024
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 10, 2024
Slavonski Brod, Croatia, July 11, 2024
Podgorica, Montenegro, July 16, 2024
Regarding Work Package 2 and the Activity of Contracting and Implementation of Small Projects the 1st call for submission of Small Project proposals closed on September 17, 2024. A total of 62 project proposals were received, of which one proposal was submitted after the deadline and therefore was not considered for administrative control. The total value of the submitted project proposals (61) amounts to EUR 12,741,529.36, of which the EU contribution is EUR 10,842,396.58 and own contribution EUR 1,911,229.40.
The evaluation of project proposals is currently underway.
A 1.1 SPF Scheme Management Activities
On November 28, 2024, the 2nd meeting of the Selection Committee was held, during which 24 small projects were approved for funding under the first call.
Regarding the A 1.2 SPF Promotion and Dissemination Activities Ceremonial signing and contract awarding for small projects was held in Mostar on February 4th, 2025.
Following the ceremonial contract awarding in Mostar as part of the EmBRACE project, a total of 53 media reports were published, including 11 television features in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
The news was also published on the official HAMAG-BICRO website https://hamagbicro.hr/u-okviru-projekta-embrace-odobrena-4-milijuna-eura-bespovratnih-sredstava-za-24-mala-projekta-prekogranicne-suradnje/ as well as on the EmBRACE platform https://cbchb.eu/embrace-project-24-small-cross-border-cooperation-projects-cofinanced-by-the-european-union/ .
SPFB has started preparations for the study visit – two informational meetings were held with two different beneficiaries implementing the Small Project Fund. Further communication is ongoing regarding the possibility of organizing the study visit and identifying the best example of good practice and knowledge exchange.
Work Package 2 and the Activity of Contracting and Implementation of Small Projects
The evaluation process of project applications was completed during November 2024. On November 28, 2024, the 2nd meeting of the Selection Committee was held, during which 24 small projects were approved for funding under the first call. Out of 62 applications in the overview upon review by the evaluators 25 project applications were evaluated negatively and 37 Small Project applications were evaluated with positive assessment. In 1 Call, entrepreneurs have 3 million euros at their disposal, but given the large number of quality applications, SPFB HAMAG-BICRO has decided to increase the allocation to 4.100.000,00 euros. With the increased allocation, the SPFB proposed for financing 24 projects with Total eligible amount of 4.811.916,77 EUR, of which the EU share amounts to 4.090.129,24 EUR.
After the Selection Committee selected the projects for co-financing, all projects were sent a notification of the evaluation results, stating whether they were proposed for co-financing, whether they met the evaluation criteria but were placed on the reserve list due to insufficient funds in the call, or if they did not meet the evaluation criteria, with reasons provided for their rejection.
After that, the process of pre-contracting, or fulfilment of conditions, followed. During this phase, representatives of SPFB were in direct communication with each of the 24 projects proposed for financing, going through specific criteria that needed to be established and fulfilled before the actual contracting.
After it was confirmed that all projects met the fulfilment of conditions phase, a ceremonial signing and contract awarding for 24 small projects and 66 entrepreneurs was organized in Mostar on February 4th, 2025.
At the same time, the SPFB was preparing a package of implementation documentation, which MA approved on February 27, 2025.
The SPFB is preparing an implementation workshop, which is planned to be held on March 5th, 2025.
During this reporting period, the SPFB prepared the documentation package for 2nd call. On 12.6.2025. the SPFB submitted the prepared documentation for the 2nd call within the EmBRACE project to the members of the JS, MA, and NAs for review and approval.
During the reporting period, there was a change in the member of the SC. Instead of Stefan Jovanović, who had been the substitute member representing the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro in the EmBRACE SC, the new substitute member is Sandra Perić. During the reporting period, project team meetings were held monthly, with ongoing regular communication in between to ensure information sharing and an equal approach towards entrepreneurs.Additionally, meetings were held with the Evaluation and Contracting Department at HAMAG-BICRO regarding the preparation of documentation for the second call.
Regarding the Study Tour, it is scheduled to take place in Gdańsk, Poland, over a period of 4 days, from October 14 to 17, 2025. Within the framework of the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027, Small Scale Projects involve SMEs and promote the exchange of good practices with SMEs. A draft agenda has been circulated to representatives of the SC, NAs, JS, and MA. The detailed agenda is currently being elaborated in close cooperation with the Polish counterparts, with whom ongoing communication is maintained. Furthermore, a travel agency has been selected for the organization of the trip, and the contract signing process is currently underway.
At the invitation of the Consortium representing Priority Area 8 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, SPFB applied to participate in the lighthouse projects selection process by completing the first questionnaire in April 2025. Following a positive evaluation, SPF project EmBRACE was selected as one of the 30 lighthouse projects. Subsequently, in May 2025, we completed the 2nd questionnaire requested by the Consortium, providing detailed information to support the study and promotional materials related to the selected projects.
SPFB completed the survey requested by DG REGIO in May 2025, providing insights on the use and implementation of SPF within the EmBRACE project. The survey aimed to gather information to support discussions on potential changes and considerations for the post-2027 period.
During the reporting period, HAMAG-BICRO participated in several events where the EmBRACE project was presented:
- On 11.4.2025. a panel titled “Financing the Vision: From Local Support to European Funds” was held at the Zmijavci Cultural Center, focusing on support measures for local projects through national institutions like HBOR and HAMAG-BICRO, as well as EU funds. Ante Janko Bobetko (HAMAG-BICRO) presented the 1st call for SMEs under the Interreg EmBRACE project and announced the 2nd call by the end of the year
- On 6.5.2025. at the Croatia-Italy Business Forum in Zagreb, Iva Milašinčić represented HAMAG-BICRO in a panel on industrial cooperation, where she presented HAMAG-BICRO’s activities and the EmBRACE project.
- On the same day, a representative of the project team gave a presentation at the Info Day for entrepreneurs held at Split Technology Park by the Split Development Agency. The event covered financial instruments, grants, and international programs, with a special emphasis on the EmBRACE project and its upcoming 2nd call.
- In June 2025, a HAMAG-BICRO board member gave an interview to Federal TV BiH about the EmBRACE project, with special emphasis on the 2024 SP “Eco-Friendly Modular Housing: A Cross-Border Approach to Sustainable Living.”
SPFB initiated the procurement of promotional materials for the EmBRACE project, which will be delivered during the next PR.
The SPFB prepared notifications specifying the reporting periods for projects over €100,000, as well as the deadlines for achieving milestones for projects under €100,000, along with the deadlines for submitting reports, and sent them to the FRs on 4.3.2025.
On 5.3.2025. SPFB held an online implementation workshop for FRs contracted in the 1st call. Before holding the implementation workshop, SPFB sent the FRs a package of implementation documentation. After the workshop, all FRs were sent the contact details of the PMs at SPFB responsible for their SP.
On 14.3.2025. SPFB sent certificates of awarded de minimis aid to all FRs via email, followed by the originals sent by post. The EmBRACE platform was upgraded to include summaries of contracted SP, and the reporting section was improved. The implementation of SP is in process, and by 30.6.2025. reports for the PR1/Milestone 1 were received from a total of 63 entrepreneurs, with a total requested EU co-financing amount of 1.327.047,74 EUR. By 30.6.2025. a total of 18 reports were reviewed and approved, with corresponding certificates issued. Based on the issued certificates, payments were made in the amount of 309.609,89 EUR which represents 8% of the EU funds allocated to entrepreneurs for the 1st Call.
During the reporting period, the EmBRACE project made significant progress in supporting cross-border cooperation and strengthening entrepreneurship within the programme area.
A 1.1 SPF Scheme Management Activities
On 1 August 2025, the members of the Joint Secretariat, the Managing Authority, and the National Authorities provided their approval for the documentation package submitted by the SPFB within the second call of the EmBRACE project.
On 1 October 2025, the SPFB published the second call within the EmBRACE project, with the deadline for submission of project proposals set for 15 December 2025.
During the reporting period, information was also published regarding the organization of information workshops to be held in five cities within the programme area (Sisak, Vitez, Podgorica, Zadar, and Ljubuški), which are scheduled to take place in November 2025.
During the reporting period, project team meetings were held regularly, with ongoing communication in between to ensure information sharing and an equal approach towards entrepreneurs.
The project team regularly responds to all inquiries from interested entrepreneurs. In addition, members of the team based in HAMAG-BICRO’s regional offices hold regular meetings and consultations with entrepreneurs to provide them with detailed information about the EmBRACE project.
A 1.2 SPF Promotion and Dissemination Activities
Within the EmBRACE project under the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027, a study tour was held in Gdańsk from 14 to 17 October 2025. The study tour was foreseen in the project application for the EmBRACE project and was attended by representatives of the project team, the Managing Authority (MA), the Joint Secretariat (JS), the National Authority (NA), and the Selection Committee. It was organized in cooperation with the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027 to facilitate the exchange of experiences and the acquisition of new knowledge.
During the study tour, a meeting was held with the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027, as well as visits to four projects financed under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027:
1. BBU – Baltic Biking UPGRADE
2. INCONE60 Green – Digital and Green Transition of Small Ports
3. AquaGOOD: Diversification of Goods Harvested from Aquatic Ecosystems at South Baltic Small Ports and Communities
4. IMPET – Build Your Wind Energy Future with US (IMPETUS)
During the project visits, representatives delivered presentations, followed by discussions and exchanges of experience.
On 24 September 2025, the SPF EmBRACE project was officially awarded the Lighthouse Project Certificate by the Consortium representing Priority Area 8 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.
During the reporting period, HAMAG-BICRO participated in several events where the EmBRACE project was presented:
- On 29 October 2025, a workshop on current calls at HAMAG-BICRO for entrepreneurs was held in Split, during which the EmBRACE project was also presented.
- On October 16–17, 2025, at the Economic Conference held in Budva, HAMAG-BICRO had an information stand where participants could learn more about the EmBRACE project. The stand provided details about the project’s goals, activities, etc.
Additionally, a teaser video for the second call was produced and published on the EmBRACE platform, HAMAG-BICRO’s website, YouTube channel, and social media accounts.
During the reporting period, information on the dates and locations of information workshops for the second call in five cities within the programme area (Sisak, Vitez, Podgorica, Zadar, and Ljubuški) was published, and the organization of the events was underway, with the workshops scheduled to take place in November 2025.
Work Package 2 and the Activity of Contracting and Implementation of Small Projects
The implementation of small projects is ongoing. During the reporting period (PR5), small project reports for the 1st reporting period/Milestone 1 were received from the remaining three entrepreneurs, and 27 reports for the 2nd reporting period were submitted, with a total requested EU co-financing amount of EUR 702,292.41.
By 31 October 2025, a total of 65 reports had been reviewed and approved, with the corresponding certificates issued. Based on these certificates, payments in the amount of EUR 1,611,544.74 were made during this reporting period. In total, payments for small projects amount to EUR 1,921,154.63, representing 47% of the EU funds allocated to entrepreneurs under the 1st Call.
Of the 24 projects contracted under the first call, one project has completed its implementation, and its final report has been approved.
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