Founded in 2005 in Niš, ENECA is a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering sustainable local economic development across Serbia and the Western Balkans. With a team of 10 experts, the organization specializes in entrepreneurship support, business development, social economy, and public advocacy. To date, ENECA has implemented projects worth over €15 million, empowering more than 3,500 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and social enterprises through grants, equipment, training, and mentoring.
The organization focuses on inclusive growth, specifically supporting vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and rural entrepreneurs. Key initiatives include the “StarTech” program for digital transformation and innovation, and the “Startup for Your Business” association, which connects 800 members across 116 municipalities. ENECA also implements the “Economic Inclusion and Justice for Women” project to support female entrepreneurship in the region. Their expertise extends to legal regulation and the green economy, aiming to transform the traditional economy into a digital, sustainable one.
Objectives
- Foster Sustainable Local Economic Development, ENECA aims to support and develop the local economy across Serbia and the Western Balkans. This includes a commitment to inclusive economic development and social justice.
- Accelerate Digital Transformation and Innovation, a primary goal is to transform the traditional economy into a digital one and accelerate the growth of Serbian companies by promoting innovation and technological development.
- Empower Vulnerable Groups and Social Enterprises, the organization strives to support vulnerable populations, specifically focusing on youth, women, and rural entrepreneurs, as well as social enterprises. This includes fostering economic inclusion and justice for women in the Western Balkans
- Strengthen the Enabling Environment for Social Economy, ENECA seeks to influence public advocacy and legal regulations to shape policies that strengthen the environment for social economy actors in the region.
- Build Regional and European Partnerships, the organization aims to deepen engagement in the European social economy ecosystem, exchange knowledge with international partners, and collaborate on EU-funded initiatives
Activities
- Provision of Financial Support and Grants, ENECA implements projects that distribute funds to beneficiaries, including non-refundable financial resources (ranging from $15,000 to $100,000) for digital transformation and in-kind grants in equipment for agriculture, crafts, and services.
- Delivery of Training, Consulting, and Mentoring, the organization conducts vocational and business training (such as business planning) and provides vouchers for expert support in marketing, design, legal services, and intellectual property. Providing consulting services in fields of bussines management and development, sales and marketign, finance and sustainability
- Management of Business Associations, ENECA established and manages the Business Association “StartUp for your business,” which connects 800 MSME members from 116 municipalities across Serbia.
- Implementation of Large-Scale Development Projects ENECA actively executes complex projects such as “StarTech” for digital transformation and “Economic inclusion and justice for women in Western Balkans”.
- Advocacy and Policy Influence, the organization engages in activities related to legal and legislative regulation and public advocacy to improve conditions for encouraging innovation and the green economy.
General Information:
- Address: Nade Tomic 16/1
- E-mail: office@eneca.org.rs, mjovanovic@eneca.org.rs, dstankovic@eneca.org.rs
- Website: eneca.org.rs
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