Client: ECORYS - Support to Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship Program in Serbia

Type of Event: Press Conference

Occasion: Launch of 2.05 million EUR Enterprise Development and Innovation Fund provided for financing of projects aimed at developing enterprises and promoting innovations in Serbia

Objective: The objective of PR activity was to inform potential beneficiaries of the Enterprise Development and Innovation Fund about the opportunities for financing their projects from European Union funds.

Duration of Campaign: 13 July – 19 September 2005

Location: Press conference at the Government of Serbia

In cooperation with: Press service of Serbian Ministry of Economy



ECORYS program is an EU program supporting development of enterprises and entrepreneurship in Serbia. The Project is managed by European Agency for Reconstruction. The objective was to create a framework for growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Serbia. During the project, ECORYS program team worked with the counterparts from ministries of economy, science and regional development.

In July 2005, the Program launched a 2.05 million EUR Fund to finance projects in Serbia. During the season of summer vacations, it was necessary to secure a strong media support for the project in order to inform the greatest possible number of potential beneficiaries about the available opportunities for financing various projects.

The public campaign motivated potential beneficiaries of funds to apply for financing. Owing to a successful presentation of project and a well led PR campaign, it was a complete success. More than 400 project proposals were received before closing date for applications on 19 September 2005.

PR plan included an intensive promotion to achieve the best possible dissemination of information to potential beneficiaries. So, after the initial announcement about the launch was made, we had a large press conference. The Fund was launched at the press conference of Serbian Government on 13 July. The press conference was attended by representatives of the European Agency for Reconstruction Program and Assistant Ministers of Economy and Science. Over 20 journalists, TV crews and photo reporters from Belgrade media were present at the conference.

All national media, including relevant daily newspapers, TV, radio stations and news agencies, reported about the activities of European Agency for Reconstruction and its Program of support to development of enterprises and entrepreneurship.

In the next phase, agency promoted the project through individual interviews with editors in printed media, TV and radio programs. PR activities covered all media in regional centers where the project was presented.

At the local level, all relevant, potential beneficiaries received timely information about the Fund. During August and September, the Enterprise Development and Innovation Fund was presented in Subotica, Novi Pazar, Krusevac, Kragujevac, Pancevo, Novi Sad, Uzice, Zrenjanin, Nis, Sremska Mitrovica, Zajecar, Vranje, Negotin, Leskovac, Sombor and Valjevo. All of the mentioned promotions were supported by the local media.



Until 18 September, which was the closing date for applications, 31 articles were published, including 10 news reports in services of national news agencies, three articles in specialized business magazines and 15 TV reports broadcast in national TV stations. The exceedingly great publicity in the local media has not been included in these data.