The project aims to support the sustainable development of the Krumovgrad Municipality, even when the main employer in the city - the mining and processing company DPMK - ends its operations in 2026. The company is committed to creating opportunities for the development of businesses and new jobs that are not directly related and dependent on mining for prosperity and livelihood in the region and after the Ada Tepe mine is exhausted. The project focuses on encouraging local entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas or expand/modernize their production, and create sustainable jobs with the help of the established Fund for Micro, small and medium enterprises in Krumovgrad.

The project is aimed at residents of the Krumovgrad municipality who: • have a desire to implement a business idea; • develop a business and need support to implement new equipment/technologies, or to expand production, or to bring the offered products/services in line with new requirements with the aim of better competitiveness, reaching new markets, better financial results. In order to reach the target group, periodically are organized information campaigns, trainings, consultations.

The commitment to create a Fund to support entrepreneurship dates back to 2015 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between DPMK and the Municipality of Krumovgrad. The fund was created as a voluntary initiative of the company in 2019 and has been operating for 5 years now. The fund is part of the mining company's commitment to the well-being and prosperity of the region and its residents.

DPMK provides free grant funding for business development and guarantees the implementation of the projects to the partner bank. The remaining part is provided through a loan from the partner bank and self-participation of the entrepreneur. DPMK does not receive a percentage or any share of the business or its profit. • Establishment of a Fund–2019. • DPMK provides grant funding for the projects–55% of the total value of each approved project • Assuring a loan from the partner bank-35% of the total cost of the project • Self-participation of the candidate–10% • DPMK guarantees every loan under an approved project with a bank guarantee • Informational meetings - held periodically • Consultations with experts to support the preparation of project proposals-provided by the financial and technical partner on an ongoing basis • Trainings for business plan preparation, team management and business-periodically • Announcement of acceptance periods for submitting projects–21 acceptance periods have been announced since the beginning of the Fund • An event to reward the beneficiaries -annually • Monitoring of the implementation of the approved projects-annually • Publications an

The Fund in Krumovgrad has been operating for 5 years. From the beginning in 2019 until the end of 2023, the results are: • 63 projects financed • 145 jobs created • Total grant value provided by DPMK – BGN 5.7 million • Total value of the projects – BGN 11 million The financed projects are in the fields of agriculture, production, services, healthcare and include: • Construction of a canning factory • Greenhouse production of vegetables • Modernization of agricultural holdings • Production of clothing • Restaurant management • Auto repair shops and transport services • Modernization of dental offices • Production of joinery • Production of essential oils • Veterinary office • and others.