NESESER – Newly Established Start-up Enterprise Services – was not just a project name. It symbolized a vision: to provide young people, women, and aspiring entrepreneurs with the right tools, support, and space to turn their ideas into reality. What began as an initiative under the IPA II Cross-border Cooperation Programme Serbia–Bosnia and Herzegovina grew into a powerful driver of social and economic change in two border communities.
From the outset, the project had a clear goal – to empower local communities through entrepreneurship. And not just in theory. In Brčko and Loznica, Business Incubator Centres were built and equipped – modern, functional, and accessible spaces where 33 newly established businesses are now taking their first steps. Young people and women, often lacking access to capital and support, received everything they needed: from computers to mentors, legal assistance to access to networks and potential clients.
Through 33 workshops and educational events, attended by over 100 participants – more than half of them women and a large number of youth from vulnerable groups – NESESER became a hub of knowledge, exchange, and encouragement. And then the real transformation began.
The Start-up Talky Walky platform was launched – a digital space for learning, networking, and support, with 90% user satisfaction. Promotional events, video success stories, and the first cross-border Start-up Forum followed, making an impact far beyond Brčko and Loznica.
One incubator user from Brčko summed it up:
“Through NESESER, I received an opportunity I could never have imagined – education, a workspace, mentoring, and a sense of community. My business now has a vision and support. Right here, in my hometown.”
But the project didn’t stop at individual support. It strengthened institutions, too. Study visits, economic situation analyses, workshops for decision-makers, and a specialized Training of Trainers programme enhanced the capacities of teams managing the incubators. With knowledge and equipment, the project laid the foundation for long-term impact and sustainability.
Through media campaigns and social networks, the project reached over half a million people. NESESER became a recognized brand of support for the start-up culture across the border region.
Why does NESESER matter even after its completion? Because it proved that it’s possible. It’s possible to connect youth with institutions. It’s possible to turn ideas into actual businesses. It’s possible, with good will and the right support, to build something that lasts.
Implemented from February 2023 to January 2025, with a total value of EUR 390,000, the NESESER project is a testament to how strategic investment in local entrepreneurship can deliver lasting results and inspire positive change in the community.
