Approximately 100 entrepreneurial support infrastructure employees upgraded their skills at the "My Business" intensive school.

      Approximately 100 managers and employees of the entrepreneurial support infrastructure from all municipalities of the Nizhny Novgorod region participated in training during the annual "School-Intensive" course at the Sarov technopark site. The event was organized by the regional "My Business" center in accordance with the goals and objectives of the federal project "Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship" within the national project "Effective and Competitive Economy." Minister of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Nizhny Novgorod region Maxim Cherkasov attended the event, as well as experts from the Nizhny Novgorod Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Corporation, the Nizhny Novgorod Industry Development Fund, the regional Microcredit Company ("GosMFO"), the Ankudinovka technopark, the Regional Competence Center, the Scientific and Production Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the "My Business" regional center, and leaders of "My Business" centers from Ivanovo, Volgograd, and Pskov regions. Cherkasov noted that government support programs for business are constantly changing, thus it is crucial for the staff of the "My Business" branches to stay informed of all updates and operate with current information. "We regularly hold events in the format of schools and intensives for the heads and staff of the entrepreneurship support infrastructure in the municipalities of the region. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to familiarize specialists with the latest innovations, discuss common issues, and exchange experience. During a strategic session, key regional support organizations and the heads of "My Business" branches analyzed existing support tools, identified problematic areas, and developed solutions. All proposed ideas will be considered and implemented across the "My Business" network to enhance the effectiveness of support," the minister stated. Experts from the support infrastructure conducted a seminar titled "Measures Supporting Entrepreneurs of the Nizhny Novgorod Region," presenting support tools for high-tech businesses, financial products from the regional and federal Industry Development Fund, the regional Microfinance Organization ("GosMFO"), and guarantee organizations, as well as informational outreach activities of "My Business" centers, and showcased the work of the Scientific and Production Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems. Additionally, participants attended trainings on oratory skills, financial literacy, and self-presentation. Directors of five regional "My Business" centers shared best practices in supporting entrepreneurship across various sectors: - The Bolshoboldinsky branch organized a fair of goods and services "Attraction Point - Shop Bolshinskoye" and a business ideas fair. The branch arranges events to expand the local entrepreneurs' customer base and hosts fairs to determine the most demanded services; - The Shatokinsky branch launched the "Young Entrepreneurs Club 'Business Alliance'" project aimed at engaging 9th-10th grade students in entrepreneurial activities; - The Kstovsky branch's project "Partnership for Sustainable Development" comprises programs to expand entrepreneurial skills, networking, and charitable activities among the business community; - The Chkalovsky branch's "Social Certificate" project involves creating service vouchers for local entrepreneurs, bundled and provided as employee incentives; - The Borsky branch offers assistance in applying for land plots on favorable terms via the GISOGD portal. According to Sarov head Alexei Safonov, an effective entrepreneurial support infrastructure is a key factor in the speed and quality of any business development. "Building a strong entrepreneurial community, ensuring access to information about support measures, and creating additional services directly influence the opportunities available to businesses in our territories. We are pleased that Sarov was chosen as the venue for the school-intensive. The school allowed participants not only to work productively but also to exchange contacts and find like-minded partners for implementing complex projects. Sarov is always open to such promising initiatives," Safonov said. Support centers for entrepreneurship in the region are overseen by the autonomous non-profit organization "Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region" (ANO "KRP NО"), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Entrepreneurship of the Nizhny Novgorod region. For information on all support measures for business at the federal and regional levels, visit the "My Business" center website (moybizer52.rf), which operates within the framework of the federal project "Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship" of the national project "Effective and Competitive Economy." A hotline, "My Business," also functions at the center to provide comprehensive information: 8 (800) 301-29-94 (toll-free). The "Effective and Competitive Economy" national project, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is the primary instrument for forming a new growth model. It includes federal projects focused on developing small and medium-sized enterprises, increasing labor productivity, boosting investment activity, low-carbon development, and enhancing the state statistical and forecasting systems. A key goal of the "Small and Medium Business" component is creating conditions for easy startup and comfortable business management. Work on supporting entrepreneurs in this area continues within the framework of the "Effective and Competitive Economy" national project.