Balkan Small Business Association Information

The Balkan Small Business Association is a network for exchange of information and good practices in the skilled crafts sector and SMEs in South East Europe. At present the BSBA unites 24 partner organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Romania and Serbia. Our member organizations are diverse, including Chambers of Skilled Crafts, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Associations, Women Business Associations. In South East Europe the BSBA organizes conferences and seminars on topics important for the skilled crafts sector, microenterprises and SMEs. We are organizing exhibitions for the artistic craft sector and we are a part of a network called ADA (Alliance of Danube Artists). The BSBA has worked and works on projects related to economic cooperation, start-up businesses, better positioning of craftsmanship and SMEs, better placement of craft companies and SMEs on the market and access to foreign markets, active participation of the organizations of SMEs in the political and social dialogue, renewable energy sources and hybrid vehicles. In the recent years we have organized B2B meetings, trainings on topics like access to finance, developing new services and products, motivation, time management, public relations, recruitment, staff management, networking in business and etc. As of recently the Balkan Small Business Association has launched a platform for continuing education training offers. It is called the Balkan Academy of Skilled Trades and Entrepreneurship (http://www.mbb-org.eu/balkanacademy/en.html ) and offers not only soft skills trainings but also vocational training in solar thermal systems and photovoltaics. The Balkan Small Business Assоciation has a strong network of real, functioning associations and chambers which on their part have strong links to the enterprises.