📋 Tender Overview
North Macedonia’s economy is characterised by persistently slow growth rates as a result of low productivity due to outdated practices and scarce labour force due to high emigration.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
The project in brief
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:
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
Results from previous phases: IME Phases 1 and 2 contributed to 5,300+ jobs (direct and indirect), out of which 51% fi
