GET UPDATED EVENTS DONATE NOW ABOUT COVID-19 WHERE WE WORK HOW WE SERVE WAYS TO GIVE TAKE ACTION BLOG BALKANS IOCC opened its Belgrade office in 1992 at the invitation of the Serbian Orthodox Church; field offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina (opened in 1995) and Montenegro (opened in 1998) have supported response after Yugoslavia's dissolution and beyond. IOCC has helped millions across the region rebuild livelihoods and face natural and human-caused disasters. HOME / WHERE WE WORK / BALKANS Committed to Long-Term Growth IOCC opened its Belgrade office in 1992 at the invitation of the Serbian Orthodox Church; field offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995) and Montenegro (1998) have supported response after Yugoslavia’s dissolution and beyond. IOCC has helped millions across the region rebuild livelihoods and face natural and human-caused disasters. Fostering Opportunity with Microloans IOCC’s microloan program in Bosnia and Herzegovina began in 2002 and remains active. With a repayment rate of over 99%, loans to artisans and small businesses in agriculture, trade, and manufacturing grow family incomes and promote job creation in rural, underdeveloped areas. Expanding the Church's Agricultural Work Emergency Prep & Response Essentials During Crisis Rebuilding after Conflict Your Gifts at Work A Little Goes a Long Way Before the breakup of Yugoslavia, Dragan (now 50) managed a hotel in Derventa, Bosnia and Herzegovina—a natural fit for his training in catering. But conflict changes everything, and it turned his family’s life upside-down. Unemployment was Dragan’s biggest challenge once the conflict ended, and for years he worked short-term jobs while also farming to feed his family. Diligence paid off, and Dragan saved up money. A small loan through IOCC’s microcredit program, plus Dragan’s savings, gave him the chance he’d been looking for: in 2014, he leased a café. Dragan now has a booming business of his own and three employees. “With the help of IOCC’s loan, I was able to start a business, renovate the building, and buy a vehicle for deliveries,” Dragan said. He has big plans for the future, too. Now he aims to hire two more workers and add house-made pizza to the menu—expanding his business into a café-pizzeria. IOCC’s microcredit program in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been running since 2002, giving over 11,000 families a chance to make their entrepreneurial goals reality, step by step. Microcredit by the numbers: Over $25 million in microloans disbursed 16,000 microloans issued More than 11,000 people helped At least 2,300 jobs created 99.1% repayment rate Related Posts BALKANS: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY Jan 17, 2019 | Economic Opportunities Before the breakup of Yugoslavia, Dragan (now 50) managed a hotel in Derventa, Bosnia and Herzegovina—a natural fit for his training in catering. But conflict changes everything, and it turned his family’s life upside-down.... BALKANS, GREECE: IOCC LEADERSHIP ON THE GROUND Nov 5, 2018 | Economic Opportunities In October, board chair Mark Stavropoulos, along with IOCC executives Dean Triantafilou and Stacey Mason visited project sites in Euorpe. While they were in the Balkans, in addition to spending time with some of the people IOCC serves, the leadership team met with ... BALKANS: STAFF, SUPPORTERS COMPLETE STUDY TRIP Oct 28, 2019 | Agriculture & Food Security In September, a small group of IOCC supporters (including board member, Jonathan Russin) joined staff on a study trip to Serbia, including Kosovo and Metohija. ROMANIA: STARTING FRESH AFTER THE FLOODS Dec 3, 2018 | Emergency Response Earlier this year, heavy floods hit Romania, causing extensive flooding in rural areas—and affecting almost 100 villages across 19 counties. Hundreds of homes were flooded, too, and families had to evacuate. They returned home to find waterlogged ... LENTEN REFLECTION - PALM SUNDAY Apr 23, 2021 | Lent Resources On Palm Sunday we begin Holy Week, the final road to the Cross. FEED A FAMILY FOR A MONTH WITH JUST $55 Dec 19, 2020 | Agriculture & Food Security This Christmas, you can give a family in Greece fresh food for a month. SHARE SIGN UP FOR ONLINE NEWSLETTER Title Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Dr. and Mrs. Dr. and Mr. Dr. and Dr. Rev. Rev. and Mrs. Deacon Rev. Dr. ABOUT COVID-19 WHERE WE WORK HOW WE SERVE WAYS TO GIVE TAKE ACTION BLOG 110 West Road, Suite 360 Baltimore, MD 21204 Phone: 410.243.9820 Fax: 410.243.9824 Toll Free: 877.803.4622 All Contents Copyright © 1999 — 2020. IOCC: International Orthodox Christian Charities. All Rights Reserved. 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