Annual Report Y1

The activity focused on promoting Serbian food products and processors, as well as strengthening business support systems and mobilizing resources for enterprise growth. The CSS Activity was implemented from April 20, 2017, to March 31, 2018, and was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The activity's main objective was to increase market competitiveness of selected value chains in Serbia, with a focus on the food and vegetable (F&V) industry. To achieve this objective, the activity implemented several sub-purposes, including promoting Serbian food products and processors, strengthening business support systems, and mobilizing resources for enterprise growth. The activity also included other project events, such as stakeholders networking events, road show events, and the Global Innovation Index 2017 Report Conference. The activity's technical activities included the development of an umbrella brand for Serbian food products, facilitation of visits to trade shows for new firms, and the establishment of product innovation hubs. The activity also promoted modern models of cooperation with research and building strong cooperative models for high-value fresh segments. Additionally, the activity provided financial trainings for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to stimulate demand for finance and established a credit guarantee line with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (MOA) and banks. The activity's outreach and online presence included a Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and Twitter page. The activity also conducted media monitoring and published quarterly reports to the MOA. The activity's performance was monitored through a performance monitoring plan, which included targets for increasing market competitiveness, strengthening business support systems, and mobilizing resources for enterprise growth. The activity's survey results showed that the majority of respondents believed that the activity had a positive impact on the competitiveness of the F&V industry in Serbia. The survey also showed that the activity had a positive impact on the development of business support services and networking. The activity's self-assessment of progress showed that the activity had achieved its objectives and had a positive impact on the competitiveness of the F&V industry in Serbia. The activity's organizational chart showed the structure of the activity, including the roles and responsibilities of the activity's team members. The activity's annexes included a performance monitoring plan, a CSS annual survey for 2017, a status of grants and subcontracts, a CSS organizational chart, a self-assessment of progress, and quarterly activity reports to the MOA.