We inform micro and small enterprises that the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) has launched the Second Public Call for submitting project proposals from micro and small businesses located in the border areas of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, within 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 strengthening the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises across the border regions of the three participating countries.
The project is implemented through the Small Project Fund (SPF).

A total of EUR 8,725,324.36 has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund and the IPA III Fund for micro and small enterprises under the EmBRACE project.

Applications for the Second Call may be submitted until 15 December 2025.
Under this call, a total of EUR 3,000,000 in grants is available.

What can be funded under the project?

Financial support will be awarded for:

  • development and adaptation of business models, products, services, and processes
  • encouraging the growth of local micro and small enterprises
  • introducing product and process innovations
  • developing pilot actions and new business solutions

All supported activities must contribute to enhancing cross-border business cooperation.

EU funds may co-finance up to 85% of the total project value, with a maximum of EUR 200,000 in EU funding per small project.

Each small project proposal must involve cooperation between at least two (2) and up to three (3) project partners / final recipients from different countries within the programme area.
At least one partner must be headquartered in the European Union.
Projects involving partners from all three countries will receive an additional 5 points during evaluation.

Eligible applicants are exclusively micro and small enterprises operating in the programme’s cross-border area of:

  • the Republic of Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Montenegro

Deadlines and details of the application process are provided in the document Guidelines for MSEs as Final Recipients (GfA).

Additional information and documentation for the Second Call and the EmBRACE project are available here 👉 https://cbchb.eu/application/

Applications are submitted exclusively through the online project platform at the following link 👉 https://cbchb.eu/application/

We invite all interested enterprises to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen and grow their business!