During the first round of tenders, the ministry will award grants for the development and application of innovations, standardisation and quality marks, education and life-long learning, to women entrepreneurs, small business beginners, and young people. The tenders will be open until May 14, with grants ranging from 50,000 to 700,000 kuna per project.
Maras said that 60 per cent of the money would be granted on selection of projects and the rest upon completion. He said that all 24 projects should be executed within the next four months.
"Our goal is that within the next three years the funds invested in the economy, in small and medium enterprises, are returned to society through increased employment, new investment or increased economic activity," the minister said.
The budget of the Business Impulse programme is 376 million kuna.
(EUR 1 = HRK 7.47)