Mentoring Forum in Belgrade Brings Together Mentors and Business Owners from Serbia and the Region

The Mentoring Forum was held on November 27 in Belgrade, organized by the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS). This annual  event gathered mentors from regional development agencies from Serbia, representatives of partner organizations and mentors from WB,representatives of companies – beneficiaries of  mentoring services from Serbia, Noth Macedonia, Montenegro and BiH, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia.

The Main focus od the Forum was the importance of mentoring as one of the most significant forms of non-financial support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), highlighting  perspectives of the beneficiaries and exploring possibilities for  further improvement of  this service in Serbia and the region.

The participants were addressed by Katarina Obradović Jovanović, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia; Hajime Fukuda, Head of JICA’s Balkan Office; and Ana Žegarac, Mentoring Project Manager at the Development Agency of Serbia.

Assistant Minister Obradović Jovanović emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises  understand the need for professional and advisory support to sustain and grow their businesses. She highlighted the mentoring program as an excellent example of how such support can be effectively delivered. She expressed hope that other forms of support, such as those in green economy  or corporate governance, would also be developed following the mentoring program’s model. According to Obradović Jovanović, the mentoring program exemplifies how persistance and collaboration can yield sustainable results.

Hajime Fukuda, Head of JICA’s Balkan Office, particularly thanked the RAS team and mentors for their contribution to improving mentoring services.

“Mentoring forums are unique platforms that encourage the exchange of experiences and create opportunities for international cooperation. The MSME sector is crucial for the region’s economic development. These enterprises are not only a source of employment but also key drivers of innovation and economic sustainability,” said Fukuda.

Ana Žegarac, Mentoring Project Manager at RAS, emphasized the significance of mentoring service users  feedback on the importance and impact of mentoring as continuous non-financial support. She also welcomed the participation of regional project partners, including mentors and companies from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and  Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As representatives  of over 4,000 MSMEs in Serbia that have received free mentoring services, funders and managers of businesses shared their experiences regarding the program's impact on their operations.

Matija Dodović from the RED TECH company in Belgrade shared his story about starting a business with friends.
“We had the technical knowledge, but mentoring support helped us focus our business idea and turn it into something more than a student project. With the help of mentors, we developed a business model and entered international markets,” said Dodović.

Zorica Selaković from Dessert Čačak recommended the mentoring program to all business owners, stating that it reveals the full potential for improvement.

“All the advice from mentors is invaluable, and the support from RAS and JICA experts was of tremendous help,” Selaković said.

Goran Milić, owner of Milić MPD from Zrenjanin, highlighted the most important benefits of the mentoring program.

“Mentors conducted a business analysis as if it were their own company, paying attention to every detail. They taught me the importance of planning, resource analysis, strengths, weaknesses, and competition, helping me better manage my business,” said Milić.

Ivana Panović from Slatka Jesen in Požega noted the importance of mentors' experience.
“Their knowledge of various industries and approaches was crucial for my growth. They also helped me connect with the market,” Panović said, adding that she received mentoring support during key moments of her business journey.

The second part of the Mentoring Forum featured case studies presented by mentors and business owners, showcasing the mentoring process from both perspectives.

Nataša Jovanović, a mentor from ARRA Zlatibor, Užice, and Dušan Zarić, owner of „Mediči“, presented the mentoring process during the production of a unique product for the HORECA industry – honey in spoons sealed with aluminum foil.

Nikola Dimkovski, a mentor from RC Bitola, and Blagoje Stojčevski, director of „PROAXIS INNOVATION“, shared how mentoring improved the business operations of a company specializing in automation and CNC machine production, focusing on application of KAIZEN tools, particularly.
Jovana Vukčević, a mentor from Podgorica's Secretariat for Entrepreneurship and Investments, and Milica Maksimović, founder of „Makers“,  explained the mentoring process in a company producing and servicing photo booths.

Igor Banović, a mentor from the Žepče Development Agency, and Elmedina Redžić from „ŽE-LIM“ in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented their mentoring experience in a family company specializing in roofing and metalworking.