Legal status: enterprise is registered as a limited liability company, partnership, joint-stock company or co-operative according to local legislation

Enterprise size: number of persons employed at the enterprise is between 10 to 250

Ownership: majority (more than 50%) of shares is private and majority of shares (at least 76%) is owned by local nationals

Maturity: enterprise is in existence for at least 2 years

Enterprise viability: enterprise has a positive track record, is showing signs of establishing a competitive position within the industry, and has the resources and management will for taking effective action

Management quality: management has a realistic understanding of the problem, is ready to solve the problem using business advisory services, and is open to cooperate with BAS and the consultant

Respectability: enterprise and management are credible and respectable; no adverse image problems for either the donors or BAS

Financial commitment: enterprise is ready and able to make its 50% financial contribution to consulting expenses

Regional SMEs are particularly encouraged to apply.

Excluded activities: BAS does not support enterprises engaged in audit, banking, gambling, hard alcoholic beverages, primary agriculture, products for military use, property development, tobacco products

Project duration: not limited in duration but effectively limited by the maximum funds of EUR 9000 available per project

BAS will not support enterprises that need rescuing or radical restructuring

BAS will not support any project retroactively