Increasing Market Employability (IME)
North Macedonia’s economy is characterised by persistently slow growth rates as a result of low productivity due to outdated practices and scarce labour force due to high emigration. To address this, Switzerland, through its Increasing Market Employability project, supports small and medium-sized enterprises in sustainable agribusiness and tourism to become more competitive and environmentally sustainable by improving their products and services, while creating decent employment. The duration of the project is extended until 31.12.2026.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North Macedonia |
Employment & economic development
SME development
Employment creation Rural development |
01.09.2024
- 31.12.2026 |
CHF 2’700’100
|
- Suppliers are well integrated in the value chains of anchor companies, ensuring products and services demanded by European and other markets
- Companies apply environmental standards required by European and other markets
- Market system stakeholders advocate for and engage in public-private dialogue on economic and green transition reforms
- Stakeholder alliances developed to address market system challenges
- Existing, new, and/or improved funding mechanisms are identified to enable business development
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Palladium Europe B.V.
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation INDUSTRY
OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
OTHER MULTISECTOR
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development
Employment policy and administrative management
Rural development
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Project number 7F08181
| Background | The economy of North Macedonia struggles to create decent employment, to meet European quality and environmental standards and to be competitive at the European markets. This contributes to the significant emigration, especially among youth (15-29) and people from the regions. Nevertheless, if constraints in the local market systems are addressed, some sectors (sustainable agribusiness and tourism) have good prospects for accelerated growth, resulting in the generation of decent employment and higher income. |
| Objectives | Small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and tourism are more competitive, providing decent employment and contributing to the country’s green transition. |
| Target groups |
The end beneficiaries are people living in the regions outside the capital, in particular youth (15-29). The project enhances their opportunity for decent employment and increased income. The project targets small and medium-sized enterprises (producers and service providers) in sustainable agribusiness and sustainable tourism and stakeholders that contribute to a more conducive business environment i.e. associations, economic chambers, government agencies, business service providers, financial service providers, etc. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and tourism adopt green practices, improve the quality and quantity of their products, and have better access to markets. Outcome 2: Market system actors in agribusiness and tourism jointly address sectorial challenges and improve their business environments. |
| Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: IME Phases 1 and 2 contributed to 5,300+ jobs (direct and indirect), out of which 51% filled by youth (15-29) and 41% by women. The companies in the selected sectors generated income of nearly CHF 20 mio. The most significant results were achieved in the agribusiness and the sustainable tourism sectors, hence the exit phase includes them, in particular focusing on agribusiness. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO |
| Coordination with other projects and actors |
SDC: Modernization for Sustainability and Decent Jobs, Education for Employment, Groundwater Management Use and Protection Programme, Parliament Support Programme, Enhancing Municipal Councils, Strengthening Municipal Resilience SECO: SIPPO, Swiss Entrepreneurship Programme USAID, EU Delegation, SIDA, EBRD, The World Bank Group Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Water Economy, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Economy and Labour, National Development Bank, etc. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’700’100 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 700’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 13’780’147 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 16’686’100 |
| Project phases | Phase 3 01.09.2024 - 31.12.2026 (Current phase) Phase 2 01.08.2019 - 30.06.2024 (Completed) Phase 1 01.11.2013 - 31.07.2019 (Completed) |
