In April 2021, we started a two-month training cycle for entrepreneurs. Constantly adapting to epidemiological recommendations, we replaced online training this weekend with training in person. 20 participants from the area of Živinice, Kalesija, Srebrenik, Lukavac and Tuzla have the opportunity to learn all about the business plan writing concept.
With this training, participants will improve their knowledge and skills about the phases of business planning, marketing, cash flow plan development and develop other entrepreneurial competencies. Eventually, they will be able to create a business plan and apply for financial support to start their own small business. After evaluating the submitted business plans, the Foundation will provide financial support for a minimum of 4 small start-up businesses (up to 5,000 BAM per business) and for at least 5 revenue activities in the field of agriculture and livestock (up to 2000 BAM). The total financial value allocated for support in this public call is 30,000.00 BAM.
The lecturer is Mr.Sc. Adem Azapagić, a long-time experienced consultant for entrepreneurship who has been an entrepreneur since 1987. Interactive trainings are held in the premises of the University Hotel Dorrah Tuzla.
In this cycle of education, out of 20 participants, the vast majority are women. One of them is Melisa Softić from Kladanj, who is engaged in the production of natural cosmetics: “When I saw an opportunity to improve my business, I knew I must not miss it. I want to learn everything that can improve my business, and if I am lucky enough, get financial support. The knowledge I lack the most is the marketing segment of running a business, in terms of product placement, so I am grateful I will learn more about it through this training.”
Emphasizing that non-formal education is very important if we want to improve our professional development, Dženana Žilić from Tuzla, the founder of the preschool institution, believes that this education will help her and her business. She is especially happy due to the fact that the professor is very good at transferring knowledge, encourages students to exchange opinions, have discussions, to actively participate in general.
“I am very satisfied with the training. Since I have been involved in working with children, I have no prior knowledge of entrepreneurship, so this is very important to me. I am most interested in making a business plan, because I have already done one by myself, I asked people for advice and consulting. However, having step-by-step instructions like this is something completely different, so I will now plan the steps for the future as well”, explains Dženana and adds that although working ad-hoc she was on the right track.
The Tuzla Community Foundation (FTZ) within the project “Democratic and Economic Empowerment of Underdeveloped Communities in Tuzla Canton” which implements with the cooperation of the Freudenberg Foundation and financial support of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Development (BMZ) implements activities aimed at improving entrepreneurial competencies employability and self-employment of citizens through support for small start-up businesses or improving household income activities.
