PUBLIC CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A STANDARDIZED MENTORING SERVICE TO SECTORS OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN 2026 YEARS

The Development Agency of Serbia (hereinafter: RAS) is launching a Public Call for Participation in the “Program for the Provision of Standardized Mentoring Service to Manufacturing Industry Sectors in 2026”.

The service refers to a free, standardized mentoring service for mature MMSPPs operating within the sector of the manufacturing industry, namely: machinery and equipment industry; electrical equipment manufacturing; food industry; wood and furniture industry; rubber and plastics industry.

Mentoring processis carried out according to the methodology, which the Agency has been developing since 2006 in cooperation with the Japan Agency for International Cooperation (JICA). The methodology determines the steps in the process within which the professional person - mentor conducts in direct contact and work with the owner and/or legal representative of the business entity (from 25 to 75 hours per user) and at the premises of the user (not less than 75% of the total number of hours provided). The owner and/or legal representative of the business entity and the mentor jointly study the current business, the reasons for the current problems or obstacles for further development, the most important growth potentials, and on the basis of the established situation, the mentor and the user of the mentoring service prepare a development plan/project.

The methodology of the standardized mentoring service clearly defines the steps and activities in the realization of mentoring (management of the scheme, field work, number of visits, activities within each visit, time allotted for the preparation of the plan and reporting) through a guide General Mentoring Guide, Third Edition, 2026.

Mentoringis a comprehensive process of supporting economic entities that are at a crucial moment for development or survival. It represents the joint work of the mentor and the business entity in order to overcome the current situation and find the most favorable solutions for the future business. Through this approach, the economic entity receives an even, time-distributed continuous support, in order to achieve the best possible results. Japanese experiences in conducting mentoring have shown that the effects of this kind of vision of non-financial support are far greater than occasional and short-term advice.

Mentoring consists of a set of the following services:

• Diagnostics, in order to understand the current situation in the economic entity;
• Assistance in the preparation of development activities/plans/projects in order to achieve the objectives of the economic entity.
• Consulting and coordination for access to funds, new technologies, consulting services and others, in order to stimulate the development and improvement of the business;
• Assistance in the preparation of applications for banks and other financial institutions and support programs for MMSPP;
• Assistance in the implementation of development activities/plans/projects;
• Assistance in improving communication, organization and human resources;
• Assistance in improving production management processes;
• Support through the introduction of KAIZEN methods and tools;
• Support in the promotion of the marketing of the enterprise;
• Help in finding business partners
• Help in finding the necessary information;
• Support in the internationalization of business
• Consulting;
• Counseling/coaching

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

They have the right to participate in the program micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs, who meet the following requirements:

• registered on the territory of the Republic of Serbia before May 11, 2023;
• perform predominant activitywithin the scope of one of the sectors of the manufacturing industry, namely: machinery and equipment industry; electrical equipment manufacturing; food industry; wood and furniture industry and rubber and plastic industry(Annex - List of areas and branches referred to in the Regulation on the Classification of Activities, which are eligible for application under the Programme)
• have settled obligations on the basis of taxes and contributions;
• They are mostly privately owned.

DURATION

The public call is open until June 11, 2026.

The deadline to complete the provision of the standardized mentoring service is November 20, 2026.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

• Form 1- Completed application;
• Certificate from the competent Tax Administration that the Applicant has settled all public revenues (taxes and contributions) in the previous year, which cannot be issued before the date of publication of the public call, or proof that the Applicant has submitted an Application for issuance of the Certificate;

LOGIN METHOD

Mentors from ARRA also provide free support in the preparation of application documentation.

Applications with all accompanying forms and documentation are submitted in person or by registered mail to the Regional Development Agencies of Accreditation (ARRA) indicating: “Application for participation in the Program to provide a standardised mentoring service to manufacturing industry sectors in 2026. '

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Regional Agency for Development and European Integration Belgrade

Address: Topličin venac 11/4, Belgrade

Phone: 011/2186-730; 011/2186-740

Email: office@rarei.rs

www.rarei.rs

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Regional Agency for Development of Eastern Serbia “RARIS”

Address: Trg oslobobb, Zaječar

Phone: 019/426-376, 019/426-377

Email: office@raris.org

www.raris.org

Regional Center for Socio-Economic Development “BANAT”

Address: Dr Kornela Radulovića 18, Zrenjanin

Phone: 023/510-567, 023/561-064

Email: office@rcrbanat.rs

www.banat.rs

Centre for Development of Jablanica and Pcinj Districts

Address: Pana Đukića 42, Leskovac

Phone: 016/315-0115; 016/3150-114

Email: info@centarzarazvoj.org

www.centarvoj.org

Regional Agency for Spatial and Economic Development of Raška and Moravica Districts

Address: Cara Duša 77, Kraljevo

Phone: 036/397-777; 036/397-770

Email: office@kv-rda.org

www.kv-rda.org

Regional Development Agency “JUG”

Address: Balkanska 2/3, Niš

Telephone: 018/515-447

Email: info@rra-jug.rs

www.rra-jug.rs

Regional Development Agency “Zlatibor”

Address: Petra Ćelovića 13 A, Uzice

Phone: 031/523-065, 031/510-098

Email: office@rrazlatibor.rs

www.rrazlatibor.rs

Regional Development Agency Bačka

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 20/II floor, Novi Sad

Telephone: 021/557-781

Email: office@rda-backa.rs

www.rda-backa.rs

Regional Development Agency Srem

Address: Glavna 172, Ruma

Phone: 022/470-910

Email: office@rrasrem.rs

www.rrasrem.rs

Regional Development Agency Sandzaka - SEDA

Address: 7. jula bb, Novi Pazar

Telephone: 020/332-700

Email: office@seda.org.rs

www.seda.org.rs

Regional Agency for Economic Development of Sumadia and Pomoravlje

Address: Kralja Petra I No. 22, Kragujevac

Phone: 034/302-701; 034/302-702

Email: officekg@redasp.rs

www.redasp.rs

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Regional Development Agency Podrinja, Podgorine and Radjevine

Address: Jovana Cvijića 20, Loznica

Phone: 015/876-096; 015/875-993

Email: office@rrappr.rs

www.rrappr.rs

Regional Development Agency Braničevo-Podunavlje

Address: Stari korzo 30/3, Požarevac

Telephone: 012/510-824

Email: office@rra-bp.rs

www.rra-bp.rs

PANONREG Regional Development Agency

Address: Trg Cara Jovana Nenada 15, Subotica

Telephone: 024/554-107

Email: office@panonreg.rs

www.panonreg.rs

Agency for Regional Development of Rasinski okrug d.o.o Kruševac

Address: Trg Kosovskih junaka 6/5, Kruševac

Telephone: 037/202-336

Email: office@arrro.rs

www.arrro.rs

Regional Development Agency “South Banat”

Address: Karađorđeva br.4, Pancevo

Phone: 013/2190-314, 013/2190-315

Email: office@rrajuznibanat.rs

www.rrajuznibanat.rs

Regional Development Agency “Pčinjskog okrug” d.o.o. Vranje

Address: Partizanska 10A/21, Vranje

Telephone: 064/685-8604

Email: leda_vr@yahoo.com

www.veeda.rs

THE PUBLIC CALL IS OPEN UNTIL June 11, 2026.

Detailed information on the method of implementation of the Program, specified Instruction on the implementation of the “Program for the provision of standardized mentoring services to sectors of the manufacturing industry in 2026”.

Public Call, Instruction and accompanying forms are available on the electronic pages of the RAS, www.ras.gov.rs, as well as on electronic pages and in printed form in ARRA.

For more detailed information, you can contact the RAS Program Management Team, at the following e-mail address: mentoringpreradjivacka2026@ras.gov.rs.

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Attachment:

List of areas and branches from the Regulation on the Classification of Activities, which are eligible for candidacy under the “Program for the provision of a standardized mentoring service to sectors of the manufacturing industry in 2026”

Area 10 - Manufacture of food products

Branches

10.1 Processing and preserving of meat and meat products

10.2 Processing and preserving of fish, shellfish and molluscs

10.3 Processing and preservation of fruits and vegetables

10.4 Production of vegetable and animal oils and fats

10.5 Manufacture of dairy products

10.6 Manufacture of mill products, starches and starch products

10.7 Manufacture of bakery products and pasta

10.8 Manufacture of other food products

10.9 Manufacture of finished feedingstuffs

Area 11 - Manufacture of beverages

Grana

11.0 Beverage production

Area 16 - Processing of wood and articles of wood, cork, straw and wicker, except furniture

Branches

16.1 Cutting and processing wood

16.2 Manufacture of products of wood, cork, wicker and straw

Area 22 - Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

Branches

22.1 Manufacture of rubber products

22.2 Manufacture of plastic products

Area 27 - Manufacture of electrical equipment

Branches

27.1 Manufacture of electric motors, generators, transformers and electricity distribution equipment

27.2 Manufacture of batteries and accumulators

27.3 Manufacture of wire and cable equipment

27.4 Manufacture of lighting equipment

27.5 Manufacture of household appliances

27.9 Manufacture of other electrical equipment

Area 28 - Manufacture of machinery and equipment not mentioned

Branches

28.1 Manufacture of general-purpose machinery

28.2 Manufacture of other general-purpose machinery

28.3 Manufacture of agricultural and forestry machinery

28.4 Manufacture of metal working machinery and machine tools

28.9 Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery

Area 31- Manufacture of furniture

Branches

31.0 Manufacture of furniture

Supporting documentation

Text of the Public Call

1. Form 1- Login

2. Form 2- Evaluation within the pre-selection of clients by ARRA

3. Form 3- List of proposed and rejected users by ARRA

4. Form 4- Mentor's work plan

5. Form 5- User Report on the schedule and duration of immediate mentoring support and the degree of satisfaction with the service provided

Instruction on the implementation of the “Program for the provision of standardized mentoring services to the sectors of the manufacturing industry in 2026”

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