The RESCALE project will support 200 small and medium-sized enterprises from Bulgaria and Serbia with a development program worth EUR 6 million

Companies can submit applications until 15 September

200 small and medium-sized enterprises from Bulgaria and Serbia will receive access to a comprehensive development program worth over EUR 6 million, which will include internationalization, capacity enhancement, access to new markets and support for the development and implementation of innovative solutions. The initiative is implemented under the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria-Serbia Programme 2021-2027, managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, through the strategic project "Scaling up the Regions (RESCALE)", implemented under Priority 2 "Integrated Development of the Border Region". Leading partner is the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) and partners are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Niš Science and Technology Park.

Currently, the active phase of the project is underway, and small and medium-sized companies can express interest in participating in it and join the overall program. The project is the first initiative of its kind under the program, which offers a comprehensive model to support businesses on both sides of the border. Instead of separate trainings or consultations, RESCALE provides a consistent development path – from enterprise needs analysis to access to international markets, personalized services and support for innovation development. Up to 100 enterprises from Bulgaria and up to 100 more enterprises from Serbia will be included in the first stage. They will go through six consecutive phases, according to the results achieved and their needs. The first phase involves business diagnostics and the preparation of an individual profile with expert recommendations. This is followed by specialized training and mentoring, participation in trade missions and international exhibitions, personalized consulting services for growth and development, and for the most successful enterprises – access to scientific infrastructure to develop and test new products and business solutions.

The support is focused on four thematic areas: internationalization – preparation for international markets, export readiness and building business partnerships; Digitalisation – deployment of digital technologies, automation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence; green economy – resource and energy efficiency, circular economy and sustainable business models; tourism – development of tourism products and services, marketing, digital solutions and cross-border cooperation.

Within the framework of the project, an in-depth study of the economic relations between Bulgaria and Serbia will be prepared with the assistance of the World Bank. The analysis will identify the sectors with the highest growth potential and support the development of future policies to promote economic development in the cross-border region.

Small and medium-sized enterprises registered and/or operating in the regions of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Sofia region, Pernik and Kyustendil are eligible to participate. Participation is free of charge for business representatives. The services provided constitute de minimis aid, and the maximum indicative amount of support for participation in all applicable phases may be up to EUR 60 645 per company.

Businesses can express their interest in participating until 15 September 2026 by filling in the online form: https://forms.gle/TtL426vmiMs9cgmD8. After submitting the application, an expert will contact each of them to present the application procedure, the necessary documents and the next steps.

The full application package is published on the BSMEPA website: https://shorturl.at/N3hJP.