North Macedonia

Like other countries in the Western Balkans, North Macedonia has a big youth unemployment problem. Helvetas’ efforts focus on job market development and vocational education and training. We also advocate for the preservation of biodiversity in the east part of North Macedonia.
  • Capital
    Skopje
  • Area
    25,713 km²
  • Poverty rate*
    1% of the population live under the poverty line of $1.90 per day
  • UN DEVELOPMENT INDEX*
    Rank: 78 out of 191
  • Population
    1,836,713
  • People supported per year
    4,000
  • Thematic focus
    Climate & Disaster Resilience
    Education and Vocational Skills
    Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion
* Source: UN Data

The Western Balkans are booming. Despite the economic growth, however, youth unemployment remains a widespread problem, running as high as 50% in large parts of Macedonia. Dim future prospects induce many young Macedonians to seek work abroad, which only exacerbates the situation they leave behind because companies can’t find skilled workers.

Employment for young people

This is why Helvetas supports cross-border labor market development in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia) to create jobs for young people in particular. We focus our efforts not only on stimulating the private sector, but also on providing job-hunting services such as online employment portals. We are also heavily involved in vocational training in Macedonia, where Helvetas has been active since 2003. We bring vocational schools and other education providers together with companies to develop and implement practically oriented curricula.

Biodiversity and conservation

Helvetas is also involved in a program for conservation and biodiversity in the region around the Bregalnica River. We are promoting ecologically sustainable agriculture and soft agritourism there, thereby creating jobs while safeguarding a unique natural landscape with a variety of flora and fauna.

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Our Projects in Eastern Europe

If you would like to know more about our work in Eastern Europe, click on each project on the map for details.

© Helvetas / Christian Bobst
Kosovo Education and Vocational Skills

Jobs for Young People

© DLDP
Albania Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Building Confidence in Local Government

© Helvetas / Patrick Rohr
Bosnia-Herzegovina Private Sector Development

Making Markets and Jobs

© Helvetas / Armand Habazaj
Albania, Serbia Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Social Sciences for a Better Society

North Macedonia Climate & Disaster Resilience

Conserving Biodiversity, Managing Complex Landscapes

Albania Private Sector Development

Making Markets Work for the Youth

© S4RE
Kosovo Education and Vocational Skills

Matching Skills with Demand in the Labor Market

North Macedonia Education and Vocational Skills

Market-Oriented Education for a Prosperous Society

© DEMOS
Kosovo Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Building a Democratic Kosovo

Bosnia-Herzegovina Education and Vocational Skills

Empowering Youth to Build a Better Future in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

ACT for a Stronger Civil Society

© Helvetas / Arben Llapashtica
Armenia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, Montenegro Education and Vocational Skills

Building Economies Where All Can Prosper

Education and Vocational Skills

Lack of education perpetuates inequality because poor countries cannot compete economically without a skilled workforce.

Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

In many countries where we work, men and women are unable to claim their rights and participate actively in decision-making processes.

Climate & Disaster Resilience

Every year, we support over 1,000,000 people in adapting to climate change, reducing the risks of disasters, sustainably managing natural resources, and conserving nature.
Contact

HELVETAS NORTH MACEDONIA
Helvetas Eastern Europe Unit
Maulbeerstr. 10
3010 Bern
Switzerland

Phone:+41 31 385 10 10
E-Mail: easterneurope@helvetas.org