At the Liberators Square in the center of Gračanica, the former awardees of the Help project, which was implemented in cooperation with the Municipality of Gračanica, presented their products. By this, they wanted to present their production, which they have improved thanks to donated funds by this German organization.
The successful cooperation between the Help organization and the Municipality of Gračanica has been ongoing for four years now. By giving grants, it helps starting a private business, but helps the development of existing ones too.
“These people are proof that progress can be made in business with persistent work and modest money. Averagely, about 20 people from the territory of Gračanica municipality receive funds each year through this program in which the municipality is a co-financier to the Help organization. I would like to thank Help, which is a small, but very successful organization, for the cooperation, which we hope to continue in the future”, said Aleksandar Mihajlović, Director of the municipal Department of Economic Development.
Sanja Stojanović says this is a nice day to present the works today because today we are celebrating the Holy Forty. She has been making decorations for celebrations, primarily weddings, for a long time, and today she served cakes, so-called “sfințișori”, made especially for today’s holiday.
“Home craft and Serbian religious customs are something that keeps us. What I’m dealing with is the handwork. I am satisfied with the success and the project has helped me a lot to improve my production primarily in the procurement of raw materials”, said Sanja.
Aleksandar Ilić from Gračanica is the former winner of the Help project, who promoted his successful business in the production of seasonal flowers.
“I used the funds I received from Help to buy a boiler so I could heat the greenhouse in which I produce flowers. It means a lot to me because without heating, which is one of the most important items in this business I’m dealing with, I could not get quality because I produce flowers from the sowing itself to the revival of plants and planting. I’m also pleased with the placement. For now, everything is going well”, said Aleksandar.
Representatives of the Help organization, who organized the exhibition of products of former winners today, say they are satisfied with the results achieved. They remind that this year as well, a call for applications for new grants related solely to equipment was opened until March 29.
At the beginning of February this year, the Mayor of Gračanica municipality, Srđan Popović signed a cooperation agreement with representatives of the German organization HELP on the project ” Support to socio-economic stability in the Western Balkans 2019-2020″.
