The regular All Mentor Meeting was held in Belgrade on June 11, 2026, organized by the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS).

The event brought together mentors, trainers, and representatives of accredited Regional Development Agencies from across Serbia, with the aim of improving the quality and effectiveness of standardized mentoring services provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The opening remarks were delivered by Ana Žegarac, Project Manager at the Development Agency of Serbia, and Yoshie Kobayashi, Project Formulation Advisor at the JICA Balkan Office. They highlighted the importance of continuously improving the mentoring system and strengthening cooperation with partner institutions.

During the first part of the meeting, representatives of the RAS team responsible for the establishment and implementation of standardized mentoring services presented the procedures for delivering mentoring services, with particular emphasis on the roles of Regional Development Agencies and mentors throughout the application, evaluation, and implementation process. Participants were also informed about the planned implementation of the 2026 RAS Mentoring Program for the Manufacturing Sector, as well as activities related to the recertification of mentors whose certificates are due to expire, in accordance with the enhanced quality management system of the mentoring network.

Special attention was dedicated to presenting the planned activities within the framework of RAS–JICA cooperation for the period 2026–2029, which will contribute to the further enhancement of mentoring services for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In the second part of the program, mentors and trainers Ljiljana Marković, Nataša Jovanović, Dragana Belenzada, and Milica Čukarić presented tools developed for the implementation of standardized mentoring services intended for both start-up entrepreneurs and mature SMEs. Participants were introduced in detail to the structure of the new Mentoring Guide, which encompasses guiding principles and processes, practical mentoring tools, and standardized reporting templates.

Through practical examples, the presenters demonstrated tools for business assessment, market environment analysis, financial analysis, marketing, human resources management, business process improvement, and action plan development.

Meetings of this kind represent an important mechanism for the continuous professional development of mentors, the exchange of experience and knowledge, and the application of unified standards, thereby contributing to the further strengthening of the quality of mentoring services aimed at supporting the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia.