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North Macedonia

North Macedonia received EU candidacy country status in 2005, but the opening of accession negotiations has been repeatedly delayed. The country has a high rate of unemployment at 21%, and 46% among youth. The economy faces structural problems, high poverty and socioeconomic disparities among the unemployed, youth, Roma and the disabled at risk of exclusion.
After independence in 1991, a solid democratic framework was established, but reforms have slowed in recent years, delaying EU accession. The upper-middle income country relies on textile an agriculture exports. 
About North Macedonia

COUNTRY FACTS

  • Area in km2: 25,713
  • Population: 2,077,132
  • Capital: Skopje

Projects

View all projects from North Macedonia
2017 - 2029
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Indonesia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, Vietnam
Trade, Initial vocational education and training, Growth entrepreneurship, Sustainable tourism
Swiss Import Promotion Programme
The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a well-established mandate of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) within the framework of its economic development cooperation. The programme has been implemented by Swisscontact since 2017 and is now in phase 3.

The overall objective of SIPPO is to integrate developing and transition countries into world trade. In a facilitation role, SIPPO advises and supports so-called Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in 11 partner countries. Through innovative and targeted export promotion services, BSOs strengthen the export capabilities of companies intending to export and facilitate market access and exports to Switzerland, the EU, and regional markets.
2024 - 2028
North Macedonia
Growth entrepreneurship
Swiss Modernisation Project
The Swiss Modernisation Project Phase I (2024 – 2028) aims to enhance businesses’ productivity, to facilitate green transformation and creation of decent jobs in North Macedonia.
2015 - 2027
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Vietnam
Growth entrepreneurship
Swiss Entrepreneurship Program
The heart of any entrepreneurial ecosystem is the community of entrepreneurs themselves. The Swiss Entrepreneurship Program (Swiss EP) has incorporated this belief and supports building local startup communities bottom up by working with ecosystem leaders and builders since 2015. We do this by working with selected startup support organizations...

News

View all news from North Macedonia
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine
09.07.2026
Making Opportunities Work: Our 2025 in Eastern Europe
Our new Annual Report, Eastern Europe 2025, is now available. It looks beyond individual results to the deeper shift underway across the region, where education is connecting more closely to employment, businesses are reaching new markets, and local systems are beginning to function differently.
Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Georgia, Ukraine
Sustainable agriculture, Growth entrepreneurship, Financial inclusion, Sustainable tourism, Trade
26.06.2026
How small businesses are shaping Eastern Europe's next economy
For the Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises Day, this year the United Nations has given it a theme that fits the moment well: empowering small businesses through innovation and sustainable industrial development. Micro, small and medium enterprises make up more than nine in ten businesses worldwide. They are where most people work, and where women, young people and those usually left out are most likely to find a way in.
North Macedonia
Growth entrepreneurship
25.10.2023
A New Generation of Women Entrepreneurs Emerging in North Macedonia
What makes North Macedonia such a good place for women's entrepreneurship? And what are the lessons we can learn from this example?

Swisscontact in North Macedonia

Swisscontact in North Macedonia contributes to reducing un- and underemployment, especially for youth, and economic development through two projects.

The Swiss Entrepreneurship Program S-EP works with the entrepreneurial ecosystem to provide local start-ups access to improved programs, high value services, strategic and practical advice, as well as valuable international connections so they create value for the local economies.

The Swiss Import Promotion Program SIPPO works with business support organizations to strengthen their competitive position, facilitate market access and export to Switzerland, the EU, and other international and regional markets.

Swisscontact’s portfolio in North Macedonia is aligned with Switzerland’s development strategy in the country.

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