Seeking to strengthen administration capacity under preparation to manage the European Union structural funds assistance, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania implemented a project "Support to Business Development" under PHARE 2002 Economic & Social Cohesion programme.

Calls for proposals under four grant schemes have been announced on 31 January, 2004 by Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, Central Project Management Agency and Lithuanian Business Support Agency. Until 2 April, 2004, 352 proposals have been received and registered by Lithuanian Business Support Agency.

During calls for proposals, Ministry of Economy and Lithuanian Business Support Agency organized (during February and March of 2004) 13 information seminars and 11 training seminars accross Lithuania in order to disseminate information and provide with methodological assistance as widely as possible. Events were highly successful - more than 1000 participants participated in information seminars and around 350 participants - in training seminars.

After evaluation of submitted applications, there were 107 grant agreements signed under four grant schemes on 30 November, 2004. Total amount of grants was 27,5 mln. litas (appr. 7,96 million euro).

In order to ensure that projects were implemented according to setup requirements, 10 training seminars for project managers were organized, and individual consultations for project managers were provided in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda as well. Majority of projects were completed until autumn of 2005, although a few projects were completed in the beginning of 2006. After final disbursements in May, 2006, project "Support to Business Development" under PHARE 2002 Economic & Social Cohesion in Lithuania programme has been oficially completed.

On 16 October, 2006, Ministry of Economy organized public presentation of results of project "Support to Business Development". Achieved results were presented by public servants of Ministry of Economy and project managers to representatives of Ministry of Economy, Lithuanian Business Support Agency, Central Project Management Agency and State department of tourism under Ministry of Economy, other invited guests.