The public call for the implementation of standardized mentoring services is issued in accordance with the Ministry of Economy's Program for Supporting Regional Development and Entrepreneurship, which is carried out through a standardized set of services implemented by accredited regional development agencies in 2026, and is executed via the Development Agency of Serbia and accredited regional development agencies (ARRA).
The service refers to free mentoring for newly established and existing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs, cooperatives, clusters, and social entrepreneurship entities (hereinafter: MSMEs) engaged in production, processing, or service provision.
The mentoring process follows a methodology that the Agency has been developing since 2006 in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The methodology defines the steps in a process where a professional mentor works directly with the owner and/or legal representative of the business entity (25 to 50 hours per user), conducted at the user's premises (at least 75% of the total allocated hours). Together, the owner and/or legal representative and the mentor examine current operations, the reasons for existing problems or obstacles to further development, and key growth potential. Based on these findings, the mentor and the user prepare a development plan/project.
The standardized mentoring service methodology clearly defines the steps and activities for implementing mentoring (scheme management, field work, number of visits, activities within each visit, time allocated for plan preparation and reporting) through the guide General Mentoring Guide, Third Edition, 2026.
Mentoring is a comprehensive support process for business entities at a critical juncture for their development or survival. It represents a collaborative effort between a mentor and a business entity aimed at overcoming the current situation and finding the most favorable solutions for future operations. Through this approach, the business entity receives balanced, ongoing, and scheduled support to achieve the best possible results. Japanese experience in mentoring has shown that the effects of this type of consulting are far greater than those of occasional, short-term advice.
The standardized mentoring service consists of the following services:
Depending on the needs and type of user, and in accordance with the standardized RAS and JICA methodology, the mentor can provide between 25 and 50 hours of free standardized mentoring services during the implementation of the Program.
Interested MSMEs submit applications in two categories:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The right to participate in the public call for mentoring services is granted to:
1. Newly established MSMEs, registered after September 1, 2023, that meet the following conditions:
2. Existing MSMEs registered before September 1, 2023, that meet the following conditions:
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
1. For newly established MSMEs:
1.1. Form 1 - Completed application;
1.2. A certificate from the competent Tax Administration confirming that the Applicant has settled all public liabilities (taxes and contributions) for the previous year, which must not be issued before the date of the public call announcement, or proof that the Applicant has submitted a Request for the issuance of such a certificate;
Note 1: Flat-rate taxpayers must submit a certificate from the competent Tax Administration confirming that the Applicant has settled all public liabilities (taxes and contributions) for the previous year, which must not be issued before the date of the public call announcement, or proof that the Applicant has submitted a Request for the issuance of such a certificate.
Note 2: Business entities registered in 2026 are not required to submit the documentation under point 1.2.
2. For MSMEs registered before September 1, 2026:
2.1. Form 1 - Completed application;
2.2. A certificate from the competent Tax Administration confirming that the Applicant has settled all public liabilities (taxes and contributions) for the previous year, which must not be issued before the date of the public call announcement, or proof that the Applicant has submitted a Request for the issuance of such a certificate
Note 1: Flat-rate taxpayers must submit a certificate from the competent Tax Administration confirming that the Applicant has settled all public liabilities (taxes and contributions) for the previous year, which must not be issued before the date of the public call announcement, or proof that the Applicant has submitted a Request for the issuance of such a certificate.
The RAS reserves the right to request additional documentation from the Applicant if necessary, but only for applications that have been submitted in full.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications with all accompanying forms and documentation must be submitted in person or by registered mail to the ARRA with the following note: Application for the Public Call for mentoring services in 2026.
Regional Agency for Development and European Integration Belgrade
Address: Topličin venac 11/4, Belgrade
Phone: +381 11/2186-730; +381 11/2186-740
Email: office@rarei.rs
Regional Development Agency of Eastern Serbia "RARIS"
Address: Trg oslobođenja bb, Zaječar
Phone: +381 19/426-376, +381 19/426-377
Email: office@raris.org
Regional Centre for Socio-Economic Development "BANAT"
Address: Dr Kornela Radulovića 18, Zrenjanin
Phone: +381 23/510-567, +381 23/561-064
Email: office@rcrbanat.rs
Centre for Development of Jablanica and Pčinja Districts
Address: Pana Đukića 42, Leskovac
Phone: 016/315-0115; 016/3150-114
Email: info@centarzarazvoj.org
Regional Agency for Spatial and Economic Development of the Raška and Moravica Districts
Address: Cara Dušana 77, Kraljevo
Phone: 036/397-777; 036/397-770
Email: office@kv-rda.org
Regional Development Agency "JUG"
Address: Balkanska 2/3, Niš
Phone: 018/515-447
Email: info@rra-jug.rs
Regional Development Agency "Zlatibor"
Address: Petra Ćelovića 13 A, Užice
Phone: 031/523-065, 031/510-098
Email: office@rrazlatibor.rs
Regional Development Agency Bačka
Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 20/2nd floor, Novi Sad
Phone: 021/557-781
E-mail: office@rda-backa.rs
Regional Development Agency Srem
Address: Glavna 172, Ruma
Phone: 022/470-910
E-mail: office@rrasrem.rs
Sandžak Regional Development Agency - SEDA
Address: 7. jula bb, Novi Pazar
Phone: 020/332-700, 020/317-551 (fax)
E-mail: office@seda.org.rs
Regional Economic Development Agency for Šumadija and Pomoravlje
Address: Kralja Petra I 22, Kragujevac
Phone: +381 34 302 701; +381 34 302 702
Email: officekg@redasp.rs
Regional Development Agency of Podrinje, Podgorina and Rađevina
Address: Jovana Cvijića 20, Loznica
Phone: +381 15 876 096; +381 15 875 993
Email: office@rrappr.rs
Regional Development Agency Braničevo-Podunavlje
Address: Stari korzo 30/3, Požarevac
Phone: +381 12 510 824
Email: office@rra-bp.rs
Regional Development Agency PANONREG
Address: Trg Cara Jovana Nenada 15, Subotica
Phone: 024/554-107
Email: office@panonreg.rs
Regional Development Agency of the Rasina District Ltd. Kruševac
Address: Trg Kosovskih junaka 6/5, Kruševac
Phone: 037/202-336
Email: office@arrro.rs
Regional Development Agency "South Banat"
Address: Karađorđeva 4, Pančevo
Phone: 013/2190-314, 013/2190-315
Email: office@rrajuznibanat.rs
Regional Development Agency of the "Pčinja District" Ltd. Vranje
Address: Partizanska 10A/21, Vranje
Phone: 064/685-8604
Email: leda_vr@yahoo.com
THE PUBLIC CALL IS OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 13, 2026.
The public call, instructions, and other accompanying forms are available on the RAS website, www.ras.gov.rs, as well as on the ARRA website and in printed form at ARRA.
For more detailed information, you can contact RAS via email at: mentoringssu2026@ras.gov.rs.
2. Form 1 - Application
3. Form 2 - Pre-selection evaluation by ARRA
4. Form 3 - List of proposed applications
5. Form 4 - Mentor Work Plan
6. Form 5 - User Report
7. Guidelines for Implementing Standardized Mentoring Services
Contact us and find out how RAREI can help your development, business or community.
