Association of Trades and Crafts Zadar, the project holder, and the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Zadar County, as a partner in project, started the implementation of the project under the title „Improvement and Development of Entrepreneurship in the Obrovac area”.

The project was selected under the program CARDS 2002 continuing the development of war affected areas in Croatia, which represents a three year regional development project for the counties of Zadar and Šibenik-Knin. It is co-financed by the European Commission and is carried out over the wider area of the town of Obrovac over (through) a period of 18 months.

The aim of the project is to improve local economy through the development of entrepreneurship.

The way to do this was through activities in the project:

- to provide professional support to entrepreneurs
- to improve the present-day skills and to enable acquisition of knowledge and new skills,
- to improve cooperation between stakeholders and develop partnership’s network.

The project target groups are users who can have direct or indirect impact on local economy development:

- Existing entrepreneurs who have difficulty with regular business and development.
- Potential entrepreneurs who are interested in setting up their own business (unemployed, women, the young and all other interested parties).
- Farm owners and farmers – interested in creating high-quality tourist services, in terms of providing accommodation and catering services on their family farms, and in developing family entrepreneurship.

During the month of September 2005 an advisory office was established in Obrovac. On address Trg hrvatskog viteza 32, all interested existing and potential entrepreneurs could get information and advice connected with existing or potential entrepreneur (‘s) activities.

The advisory office in Obrovac gives the local public information and advices about questions connected with: the form of independent business, the possibility of setting up business, prequalification, work relations, compulsory contributions, contracted relations, local laws and regulations, finance, accountancy, analyzing business and financial reports, marketing, organization of work, information technology, safety at work etc.

The office is open every Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m.

Furthermore, within the framework of the project, seminars and workshops for entrepreneurs are organized to improve existing knowledge and to enable acquisition of new applicable knowledge and and skills. The seminars are held by the Association for Entrepreneurship Development in Dalmatia – AEDD according to the following themes:

-Local development
-Project management (September 2005)
-Entrepreneurship fundamentals (October 2005, March 2006)
-Rural tourism
-Marketing (April 2006)
-Preparation of business plan and financial sources (May 2006)
-Finance (June 2006)
-Information technology for business (September 2006)
-Management in small businesses (October 2006)

Within the framework of presenting this project on the 9th of September 2005, in Obrovac, Trg hrvatskog viteza, the first exhibition was held under the title „Rock, Water, Earth“ with which traders and producers from the whole area of Zadar County introduced themselves. The exhibition was organized in order to present local tradition, trade products, agricultural products and, authentic local gastronomic dishes with the aim of development of entrepreneurship and rural tourism.

On Tuesday, the 1st of August 2006 at Trg hrvatskog viteza in Obrovac, the second exhibition was organized in which tradesman and producers from the whole area of Zadar County were represented.

Besides the exhibition, the projection of the documentary film „Lost Treasure“ directed by Branko Ištvančić, was organized which vividly depicts life on the moorlands of Obrovac.

At the same time at Trg Grgura Ninskog, as a part of Obrovac Cultural Summer, a program was held under the title „The Ethno and Folklore Days of Bukovica”. Customs and folklore from a wider area were presented by cultural artistic societies from surrounding areas. This was an occasion to connect participants, customs and products of our area. Both manifestations were well covered by the media and all had a large number of visitors.