Macedonia2025 Provides Strong Support for Development – Over 55 Companies and Around 500 Young People Supported

Skopje, 12.12.2023

Strengthening competitiveness, promoting robust economic growth and reforms, and reinforcing the private sector through partnerships and collaboration are central focuses of Macedonia2025. This year, the organization carried out a series of activities aimed at enhancing human capital as a primary driver of development in all areas of society, increasing the competitiveness of companies, and improving institutional performance. Around 55 companies received mentorship and connections with experts and other companies, providing concrete support to strengthen their capacities. Approximately 30 different programs were implemented, and nearly 500 talented high school and university students received scholarships and opportunities to participate in various programs, enhancing their skills and leadership capacities.

Through the Business Development and Competitiveness Program, the “Leader” business and entrepreneurship training was organized in collaboration with Ivey Business School from Canada. Through this program, which included mini-specialist (MBA-style) training, 26 young entrepreneurs received mentorship from experienced professionals from both Macedonia and abroad. Furthermore, 7 small and medium enterprises received expert support from Canada to develop their businesses and access foreign markets through the Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program.

The online platform Connect2MK connected 12 Macedonian businesses with professionals from the diaspora who provided advice and mentorship; the platform now hosts 69 companies and 63 experts. This initiative helped domestic entrepreneurs receive support to improve competitiveness and market access. Through the Executive Program – Zafirovski, 10 Macedonian business leaders participated in the prestigious Kellogg School of Management program.

To support youth, who will be the future driving force of society, the “Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow” program awarded 10 scholarships to talented high school students from socially vulnerable families. A competition for the best green business projects by young people was also organized, with the best proposals receiving awards. The organization assisted in selecting 58 new scholarship recipients and continued supporting 76 students at UKIM under the Atanas Bliznakov Foundation from the USA for academic excellence. Additionally, through various programs, over 340 young people developed or improved skills in programming, coding, robotics, ChatGPT, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Macedonia2025 actively contributed to important economic reforms in the country, including encouraging and attracting foreign investment, developing education and ICT strategies, advancing the national development strategy, improving fiscal policy, and supporting business digitalization.

This year also saw the successful organization of the 12th Macedonia2025 Summit, with over 500 participants and 45 speakers, serving as a platform to promote economic reforms, regional connectivity, and networking between businesses and the diaspora. To define opportunities for diaspora engagement in Macedonia’s economic development, two networking events were held in the USA (Naples and Melbourne), attended by over 100 Macedonian professionals living and working in the USA and Australia. In September, an event in Chicago aimed at mobilizing diaspora support raised $1.3 million to expand Macedonia2025 activities. Over 400 diaspora representatives attended, with key speakers including Boeing CEO David Calhoun and President Stevo Pendarovski. In collaboration with the Macedonian President and Macedonia2025, new annual awards were presented to diaspora members for their contributions. Four distinguished Macedonians from Canada and the USA received awards for exceptional contributions to the Macedonian community in philanthropy, social impact, humanitarian work, and leadership.

More on Macedonia2025 achievements in 2023 can be found [HERE].

Macedonia2025 will continue its activities next year, with plans to expand programs, especially in competitiveness, youth support, digitalization, anti-corruption efforts, and diaspora relations. Since its founding, Macedonia2025 has implemented economic development programs worth $4 million. Additionally, in the areas of education and leadership, $2 million has been donated, benefiting over 680 managers, entrepreneurs, and young talents from Macedonia so far.