The general objective of this program is to continuously contribute to the competitiveness growth of Montenegro and the development of an innovation and knowledge-based economy.

Specific Objectives of the Program

• Raising awareness among the general public (university, academic, scientific-research, and business communities, especially young people) about the importance of developing innovation activities for sustainable development and the measures supporting the development of technological and social innovations, startup ecosystems, innovation entrepreneurship, and innovation infrastructure.
• Affirming innovation entrepreneurship and creating a sustainable environment for translating ideas into innovations and their commercialization in the market.
• Strengthening the innovation capacities of companies in Montenegro through the promotion and popularization of innovations and collaboration between scientific-research organizations and the economy.

Grant Value and Co-financing Percentage

The applicant can receive funding from this program line up to 8,000 euros.

Co-financing of project activities is not mandatory, but if it exists, it can be provided by the applicant, project partners, donors, etc.

Who Can Apply?

The public call is open to:

• Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter MSMEs) established as legal entities as defined by the current Law on Business Organizations (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 35/2014, 2/2015, 38/2015, 20/2016, 33/2020, 38/2020, 53/2020, 98/2020, 130/2020, 44/2021, 107/2021, 131/2021, 15/2022, 52/2022, 34/2023, 57/2023, 115/2023, and 26/2024.), as well as the Law on Accounting (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 52/2016), registered in the Central Registry of Business Entities of Montenegro (CRPS) with headquarters in Montenegro and majority private ownership, provided that the share of a large business entity does not exceed 10%.
• NGOs registered in Montenegro whose areas of activity and activities are in line with the objectives of the public call.
• Public/private institutions in the field of cultural and artistic creation and public/private institutions in the heritage sector registered in Montenegro in accordance with the Law on Culture or the Law on Museum Activities.
• Public/private educational institutions registered in Montenegro in accordance with the General Law on Education.

Eligible and Ineligible Costs

The following categories of costs can be funded under this call:

• Personnel costs for staff engaged on the project. Staff engaged on the project can be employees of the applicant or employed solely for the purposes of project implementation.
• Costs of external experts/trainers for project implementation.
• Costs of equipment, materials, and small inventory for the project. Small inventory refers to materials and devices whose unit value is less than 300 euros excluding VAT.
• Promotion costs for the project.
• Official travel costs related to project implementation.
• VAT on eligible costs for which the applicant cannot secure a refund.

The Fund reserves the right to request documentation justifying budgeted costs if deemed necessary.

Ineligible Costs

• Value-added tax (VAT) for which a refund can be requested.
• Indirect costs incurred directly as a result of project implementation.
• Costs that the applicant has declared and financed under another action or program receiving funds from other public funding sources.
• Representation costs.
• All other costs not listed under eligible costs.

Project Duration and Implementation Period

The project duration is from 3 to 6 months. Planned activities must be implemented by the applicant by March 31, 2025.

How to Submit an Application

Applications with complete documentation are submitted electronically via the portal www.programifonda.me.

Contact email for this public call at the Innovation Fund is eik@fondzainovacije.me or tel. 020 653-052.

Specific Requirements for the Call

Eligible project activities must be implemented at the national or regional level in relation to the target groups.

• If the project is implemented at the regional level, project activities must be carried out with target groups from a minimum of two cities in the region.
• If the project is implemented at the national level, project activities must be carried out with target groups from at least one city in each region.