Development fund
The Fond za Razvoj (Serbia’s Development Fund) has launched an integrated online platform, offering free educational content, news updates, grant and loan information, and an online application portal. Aimed at entrepreneurs, SMEs, and startups, the platform supports business development through expert-led learning modules and real-time program announcements.
Challenges
Consolidating diverse functionality
The platform needed to serve multiple audiences by integrating an educational portal (with modular lessons), a news & updates feed, scheduled events, and separate grant/loan programs—all under one unified, user-friendly interface.
Dynamic educational content delivery
The site features a “Banka znanja” educational portal with 21 lessons across four thematic modules (e.g. business planning, youth entrepreneurship, women’s entrepreneurship). Each module had to be easily accessible and editorially updatable by the client.
Online application portal for grants
Users must submit funding applications directly on the site. We incorporated a secure portal to manage online submissions seamlessly, ensuring reliable file uploads and response tracking—reducing dependency on in-person processes.
Editorial workflows for news & announcements
The platform features a constantly updated “News” section—covering calls for proposals, fraud warnings, board decisions, and project updates. We implemented dynamic feeds with category filters and pagination to allow staff to publish content quickly and systematically.
Performance & UX across important services
Balancing rich multimedia (images, PDF instructions, videos) with fast load times posed a challenge. We optimized image formats, implemented lazy loading, and structured clear navigation to support mobile users, especially crucial for remote entrepreneurs.
Technologies
WordPress + Elementor for modular, yet easily customizable layouts.
Custom post types and taxonomies for lessons, news, events, and funding opportunities.
User flow optimizations: Easy filtering for “Latest News”, direct access to grant info, and step-by-step educational modules.
Performance measures: WebP image conversions, CSS/JS minification, LiteSpeed caching.
Secure portal integration: SSL-encrypted forms, file validation, and automated notifications for application status.
Results
Unified and scalable platform: Users can explore education, track grants, read news, and submit applications—all from one polished site.
Engaged learning community: The “Banka znanja” modules are easily discoverable and updatable, allowing continuous rollout of expert-led content.
Efficient funding process: Online application portal significantly reduces administrative workload and speeds processing.
Up-to-date communication: News categories empower staff to publish updates—fraud alerts, public call openings, board minutes—providing transparency and value.
Performance-led design: The site remains fast and responsive, even with multimedia content, ensuring accessibility for users across devices.
For more information visit site: https://platforma.fondzarazvoj.co.rs/
