COVID-19 response: EU4Business recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The ILO, in partnership with the German Development Agency (GIZ) and UNDP implements an EU-funded project “COVID-19 Investment Response – EU4Business Recovery“ to support the recovery of BiH economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project complements the on-going project EU4Business (financed by the European Union and the German Government).

The overall objective of the project is to provide emergency support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure their business continuity, retain more than 1000 jobs, and create at least 100 new jobs, especially supporting women entrepreneurs, young people and other vulnerable groups. Specifically, development funds will be provided for companies in 5 sectors: metal and wood processing, textile, apparel and footwear, agri-food, tourism and entrepreneurship. The project will also provide micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with advisory services and investment incentives to ensure business continuity and creation of innovative start-ups.

Support is provided in four areas:

1. Implementation of occupational safety and health (OSH) measures in companies as a condition for business continuity;
2. Product and business innovation and access to external markets to maintain and increase competitiveness of MSMEs;
3. Start-up development to ensure employment of unemployed persons, women and other vulnerable groups;
4. A Help Desk system to provide financial and legal advice to MSMEs, entrepreneurs and start-ups.