Increasing Market Employability


North Macedonia’s economy is characterised by one of the highest unemployment rate in Europe (21%, for youth 46%) and a high share of people in relative poverty (22%). The Increasing Market Employability programme aims to address these issues by creating jobs and increasing income. It contributes to improvement of the quality of products and services, expansion of markets, and creation of an enabling environment in the Sustainable Agribusiness, Adventure Tourism, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors.

Región/País Tema Período Presupuesto
Macedonia del Norte
Empleo y desarrollo económico
Creación de empleo
Desarrollo de pequeñas y medianas empresas
01.08.2019 - 30.06.2024
CHF  5’806’000
Contexto The Macedonian economy remains far behind the economy of other European countries. It failed to grow at a pace required to absorb the high unemployment, which results in a significant brain drain and poverty. Nevertheless, if systemic constraints are addressed, some sectors (Sustainable Agribusiness, Adventure Tourism, and ICT) show good prospects for accelerated growth, which would result in job generation and higher income.
Objetivos More unemployed and underemployed, in particular youth and women, are engaged in sustainable, decent employment or self-employment and/or are earning higher incomes.
Grupos destinarios The end beneficiaries are the unemployed and underemployed, especially youth and women. The project enhances their opportunity for decent jobs and increased income. The project targets SMEs (producers and service providers) in the three selected sectors and stakeholders that contribute to a more conducive business environment i.e. associations, government agencies, business service providers, financial service providers, accelerators, NGOs, education providers, etc.
Efectos a medio plazo

Outcome 1: Companies in the selected sectors grow by improving products and services and expanding markets

Outcome 2: Improved services and policy and regulatory framework are conducive to companies’ growth in the selected sectors

Outcome 3: Companies provide more attractive and inclusive working conditions for employees, particularly youth and women

Resultados

Resultados previstos:  

- More than 2’700 jobs and CHF 26 million of additional earning income for un- or under- employed

- Net additional profit of CHF 2 million for SMEs;

- Access to CHF 40 million of funding for 250 firms

- Use of business development services by more than 500 firms/individuals

- Incentives to employ women and/or youth introduced by 25 firms


Resultados de las fases anteriores:   IME Phase 1 contributed to 2,300+ jobs, of which 1,150 occupied by youth, 870 occupied by women and 600 occupied by rural population. The most significant results were achieved in the tourism and hospitality, organic agriculture and IT sectors, and less in the sustainable building and product design sectors. In preparation for Phase 2, in 2018 and early 2019, an implementing partner was selected through an open tender, the project implementation unit was established, and analyses and stakeholders consultations to inform the design of Phase 2 were carried out.


Dirección / Officina Federal responsable COSUDE
Crédito Cooperación con Europa del Este
Contrapartes del proyecto Contraparte del contrato
ONG internacional o extranjera
Sector privado
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Sector privado extranjero Norte


Coordinación con otros proyectos y actores SDC: Education for Employment, Creating Job Opportunities for All, Nature Conservation Programme, SECO: SIPPO, Swiss EP; USAID: BEP; Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Ministries of Economy, Information Society, Agriculture, etc.
Presupuesto Fase en curso Presupuesto suizo CHF    5’806’000 Presupuesto actual suizo ya emitido CHF    5’899’934 Total del proyecto desde la primera fase Presupuesto inclusive contrapartes del proyecto CHF   16’000’000
Fases del proyecto Fase 2 01.08.2019 - 30.06.2024   (Fase en curso) Fase 1 01.11.2013 - 31.07.2019   (Completed)