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North Macedonia’s economy is characterised by persistently slow growth rates as a result of low productivity due to outdated practices and scarce labour force due to high emigration.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.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Macédoine du Nord
Emploi & développement économique
Développement de petites et moyennes entreprises
Création d'emplois
Développement rural
01.09.2024 - 31.12.2026
CHF  2’700’100
Contexte 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.
Objectifs Small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and tourism are more competitive, providing decent employment and contributing to the country’s green transition.
Groupes cibles

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.

Effets à moyen terme

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.

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • 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


Principaux résultats antérieurs:   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.


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
ONG internationale ou étrangère
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Palladium Europe B.V.


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

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 Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    2’700’100 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    700’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   13’780’147 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   16’686’100
Phases du projet Phase 3 01.09.2024 - 31.12.2026   (Phase en cours) Phase 2 01.08.2019 - 30.06.2024   (Completed) Phase 1 01.11.2013 - 31.07.2019   (Completed)