MINSK, 14 December (BelTA) – The UNDP project “Support to Economic Development at the Local Level in the Republic of Belarus” can be launched early in 2019, UNDP project coordinator in Belarus Kirill Tezhkin said at a press conference, BelTA has learned.
“Literally a month ago, the UNDP and the Economy Ministry of Belarus signed the project “Support to Economic Development at the Local Level in the Republic of Belarus”, which is funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme,” Kirill Tezhkin said. “We expect the Council of Ministers to issue a resolution on the registration of the international technical assistance project soon. We hope the project will be launched on 1 January 2019,” he added.
The budget of the project is nearly $10 million, according to Kirill Tezhkin. The money will be used to support an entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-up enthronement in the regions of the country. “Twelve pilot sites have already been chosen in all six regions. Direct financial support will be provided to promote social entrepreneurship or enterprises aimed at solving socially significant issues, supporting startups, cluster initiatives, microfinance systems," he added.
The list of pilot sites may be revised in the future. Funding of specific business initiatives will be allocated on a competitive basis.
Another project is currently underway. It is implemented by the UNDP together with the Belarusian Economy Ministry with the support of the Russian Federation. The project is aimed at promoting employment and self-employment in small towns of Belarus. Assistance, including financial one, is provided to business initiatives in the pilot regions, namely Mogilev Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast.
