In 2022, Rio Sava Exploration launched the Sustainable Local Development Programme for Entrepreneurship, Rural Tourism, Old Crafts and Agriculture in the Town of Loznica and the Municipality of Krupanj (the “Programme”). The Programme has been developed and designed to support entrepreneurs, businesses, tourism service providers and farmers as a model of support for future growth, development and improvement of businesses, as well as self-employment local community members where Rio Sava operates.
The objective of the Programme is to improve sustainable local economic development by creating new jobs, stimulating the development of entrepreneurship, improving the local tourism sector, and developing agriculture in Loznica and Krupanj.
The specific objectives of the Programme are as follows:
- Create new jobs and opportunities for self-employment through the development of the existing entrepreneurial activities and the establishment of new ones.
- Improve the quality of existing rural tourism through investments in the acquisition of new equipment, improvement of accommodation facilities, marketing and promotion.
- Improve the operation of old and traditional crafts businesses, and establishment of new ones.
- Improvement and development of agriculture.
To implement these activities, Rio Sava Exploration has established lasting partnerships with Serbian consultancies and institutions including: Glenfield Training and Consulting LLC from Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture from Novi Sad, Agricultural Advisory Service from Loznica, and Top Forma LLC from Loznica.
In 2023 and 2024, funding in the total amount of EUR 875,484 was provided for 77 local businesses and entrepreneurs, and for 100 local farmers from Loznica and Krupanj. In addition, businesses, entrepreneurs, and farmers were provided professional and technical assistance and support through a series of seminars, training events and courses, as well as through hands-on work and field mentoring.
Moreover, Rio Sava Exploration provides technical and professional support and assistance in business plan preparation and grant and loan application preparation for local entrepreneurs, businesses, farmers, and rural tourism service providers in order to increase their access to capital from Serbian government institutions and international funds and donors.
Rio Sava Exploration is planning new community support programmes in 2025, as follows:
- Competition for the award of grants to support the development of local suppliers in Loznica and Krupanj through direct financial grant support. Through this Programme, we will be supporting entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating within the predefined activities in the territory of the Town of Loznica and the Municipality of Krupanj.
- Competition for the award of grants to support the development and empowerment of women and young people in business in Loznica and Krupanj, through direct financial assistance in the form of grants. The support is intended only for women and young people (up to the age of 35). We will be supporting entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises, hospitality accommodation facilities (houses, apartments, rooms, and rural tourism households), and traditional crafts businesses.
- Competition for the award of grants to support to farmers from Loznica and Krupanj in food processing, i.e. production of homemade produce from own sources (fruit, vegetables, milk, etc.).