The Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) announces the 2nd Public Call for submission of small project proposals from micro and small enterprises located in the cross-border area of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, within the framework of the EmBRACE Project.
The EmBRACE project is implemented under the Interreg VI-A IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027, with the aim of fostering continuous growth and improving the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises in the cross-border area of the three countries.
The project is carried out within the Small Project Fund (SPF). The total funding provided from the European Regional Development Fund and IPA III Fund for micro and small enterprises under the EmBRACE project amounts to EUR 8,725,324.36.
The second Call is opened on October 1, 2025, and applications will be accepted until December 15, 2025. A total of EUR 3,000,000.00 in grants is available under this Call.
What can be funded under this project?
Financial support will be granted for the development and adaptation of business models, products, services, and processes, encouraging the growth of local micro and small enterprises, with a strong emphasis on introducing product or process innovations, developing pilot actions, and new business solutions, while also improving cross-border business cooperation.
Up to 85% of the total small project value can be co-financed with EU funds, with a maximum EU contribution per small project of EUR 200,000.00.
Each Small Project proposal must include cooperation between a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of three (3) project partners or final recipients from different countries within the programme area. One of the partners must be based within the European Union.
Cooperation between partners from all three (3) countries in the programme area will be awarded an additional 5 points during evaluation.
Eligible applicants are exclusively micro and small enterprises operating in the programme's cross-border area.
The EmBRACE project and all details of the public call will be presented during Informative Workshops to be held in November 2025 in the following cities:
- Sisak
- Vitez
- Podgorica
- Zadar
- Ljubuški
Exact locations and dates will be announced at a later stage.
Where to find more information?
Deadlines and application procedures are outlined in the Guidelines for MSEs as Final Recipients (GfA).
Additional information and documents related to the 2nd Project Call and EmBRACE project are available here.
Applications for project participation can be submitted via the project’s online platform: https://cbchb.eu/application/.
We invite all interested entrepreneurs to start preparing their small project proposals now and take advantage of this opportunity to grow their business!
