The Secretary of the Secretariat for Finance, Development and Entrepreneurship, Tamara Jevtić, also points out that the financial situation in the Municipality of Nikšić is stable, and that the revenues so far are higher than expected.
"The situation in the local treasury is extremely stable, everything is proceeding at its own pace. Revenues were realized at a percentage of 38 percent of the planned budget, and we have only just started the second quarter. Expenditures were realized at a percentage of 28 percent of the planned budget. Which is another confirmation that we treat local money and our citizens like a homemaker. The percentage itself speaks of when our revenues are higher than our expenditures, that we are heading in that direction," said Jevtić.
Local funds will be allocated to support the local economy this year as well. The Program for Stimulating Agricultural Production was recently adopted, which is half a million euros more than last year.
"Last year, the amount for the agricultural producers support program was 100 thousand euros, this year it is 600 thousand euros. This increase in financial resources alone shows that we have placed emphasis on supporting our agricultural producers, because we do not consider investing in agriculture only as an investment from a financial perspective, but also as preserving our tradition and preserving our rural households, preserving rural areas and something that is an investment in the future," says Jevtić.
Unlike last year, when only three were supported, this year the Support Program includes thirteen measures.
"The emphasis is on livestock farming, or rather people who have farms where they keep small livestock, because so far, livestock farmers have not been included in the support program itself for a single year. Farms with goats, sheep and pigs will receive priority. We are also continuing the measure for digging wells, maintaining existing cattle sheds and building new ones, but we will keep in mind that in the coming period, the allocations for this measure will be larger. We have included our agricultural producers who raise cattle on pastures. Beekeeping is included in the Support Program for the first time, and we have support for the purchase of small machinery, which is also included in the Program for the first time," said Jevtić.
This year, 50 thousand euros were allocated from the local treasury to support women's entrepreneurship. Applications are now open, and the expected interest was high.
"Compared to 2024, almost twice as many women have applied this year. 55 applications have been received. The commission is completing its work, so we expect only the signing of the contract and the distribution of funds very soon. And this increase in interest alone tells us enough how much the measure means to women entrepreneurs. We had applications even after the deadline expired. We are considering issuing another public call in the second half of the year, if, of course, financial resources allow it," said Jevtić.
For the first time, the municipality will support both local craftsmen and young entrepreneurs. The public call for craftsmen has just been completed, and will soon be announced for young unemployed entrepreneurs.
"Both of these measures are new in the budget. Craftsmen have never been supported before. We have placed emphasis on crafts that we have fewer and fewer of in our municipality and crafts that value tradition and our culture. They will be able to achieve a maximum amount of up to 3 thousand euros. Support for young entrepreneurs applies to the unemployed, to people up to 30 years of age. The public call will be published by the end of the week. This is another measure to keep our young people in the city where they were born and to develop entrepreneurship," said Jevtić.
Those interested in support programs can obtain more detailed information from the Secretariat for Finance, Development and Entrepreneurship.
