We will Receive as long give from the bottom of our h John Bitove Sr.,
Visionairy founder of Macedonia2025
as we hearts
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TABLE OF CONTENT 01 | MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN & CEO
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02 | OVERVIEW
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03 | ACCELERATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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04 | IMPLEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ACCELERATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INSPIRE AND IMPROVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MACEDONIA
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05 | PROVIDE THE DIASPORA AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE LINKAGES WORLDWIDE
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06 | ADVOCATE THE IDEALS OF TRANSPARENT, DEMOCRATIC AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY – GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS, GOOD FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY
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07 | HELP FACILITATE AND MAINTAIN DISCUSSIONS ON A ‘COUNTRY DASHBOARD’, TO ENSURE BROAD PROGRESS ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS BEING MADE AND HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
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08 | FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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09 | BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2019)
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10 | OUR GLOBAL NETWORK (2019)
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11 | HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OUR MISSION?
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12 | MACEDONIA2025 TEAM (2019)
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13 | CONTACT
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14 | PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
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15 | MACEDONIA2025 IN THE MEDIA
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN & CEO Dear friends and partners of Macedonia2025, Last year marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Macedonia2025. In the period since its establishment, a great deal has been accomplished by Macedonia2025 in fulfilling its mission. The organization is recognized and valued widely. As part of the newly elected senior management team, it has been our pleasure to build upon the solid foundation of the organization. We have taken the first steps in navigating a path towards a future where Macedonia2025’s positive influence in the region is internationally recognized. We know that the combined excellence of our current team and partners has the potential to make this possible. We are proud to have planned and executed a range of new and exciting programs designed to create a better future for the people of this nation. The organization promoted sustainable economic and democratic growth by tapping into the massive potential of our diaspora, thereby demonstrating Macedonia2025’s capacity to chart a new course for Macedonia. Through fostering partnerships between citizens, companies, and foreign investors, we have set our sights on growth. In examining the path towards real and meaningful growth that Macedonia2025 has taken in the past year, the three main concepts that best illustrate the hallmarks of 2019 are transition, partnerships and business support. Transition encompasses our success in moving to a new model of consulting with businesses, business leaders and all major employers’ organizations. We have made a decision to establish programs for business support, establishing a new way of working towards our organization’s vision, helping domestic companies improve their competitiveness and expand to foreign markets. With the two newly launched programs, ‘UPSCALE’ and ‘LiftSME’, we now operate as partners to a full spectrum of companies, from large and well established enterprises to small and innovative startups. Whether understood and appreciated as one massive shift, or as a series of careful steps, ‘transition’ is the word that best captures this past year. While last year was one of productive change, it was also one in which existing partnerships were honoured to the fullest extent. In 2019, we remained dedicated to working with our usual broad range of partners, which includes businesses, policy-makers and academia. Partnerships are sacred to Macedonia2025. We know that the impact our organization makes, the growth that we support, lives and dies in the synergies we foster between ourselves and other organizations, institutions and donors. We are deeply thankful to all organizations, companies and institutions that perceive worthy strategic partners for making lives better in Macedonia. Perhaps our single strongest partnership is the Macedonian diaspora. In terms of both expertise and moral support, this community has vast potential. The relationship that Macedonia2025 has with our diaspora community focuses on a few key areas, including skills development and training, innovation
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and entrepreneurship, and facilitated knowledge transfer. We are thrilled to be utilizing the diaspora’s knowledge and networks to support the growth of young and dynamic businesses. Looking forward, 2020 will be a milestone year. Early parliamentary elections, which entails potential changes in economic policy, and resultant uncertainty for businesses, also signals new opportunities for economic development. With this in mind, Macedonia2025 offers an excellent monitoring tool that tracks Macedonia’s economic growth - the Country Dashboard. The Dashboard provides the roadmap of how we perceive the strategic path for the country for the next ten years, in order to be able to accomplish our mission, i.e. support the country and society to become a stronger nation. We invite all political parties to utilize the Dashboard and take action, by uniting across several core matters - human capital, education, leadership, environment, innovation, investments, institutions, infrastructure, democracy, rule of law, and fight against corruption. We must unite across these ‘Growth Enablers’, if we want our country to achieve higher economic growth and standard of living. That is why we ask that we all speak the same language - it is the language of unity. We all need to work together in achieving our mission of helping build a stronger nation. By cooperating with us, together we will leave no room for the government, the politicians or policy makers to make excuses. We no longer live in a world where the big are ‘eating’ the small. This is a world in which the fast are ‘eating’ the slow. Let us be fast!
Sincerely,
VERA STAVROFF CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD MACEDONIA2025
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PROF. DR. NIKICA MOJSOSKA-BLAZHEVSKI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MACEDONIA2025
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OVERVIEW WHO WE ARE An international, independent, nonpartisan, non-profit ‘think & do’ tank founded in 2007 by Macedonian expatriates who envision a proactive way of contributing to the economic and democratic development of Macedonia. With headquarters in Skopje and supporters around the globe, we encompass a wide array of programs that enable expatriates to give back to their homeland. We are dedicated to helping create a prosperous economic climate and a ‘stronger nation’ that will improve opportunities for citizens, companies, and foreign investors. We promote sustainable economic growth through fostering competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovation and value based leadership. We are driven by the following core values:
ENVISION
ENERGIZE
EVOLVE
We envision programs, advocacy
We energize the Macedonian
We evolve the leadership,
and research facilitating creation
citizens, businesses, academia
managerial and entrepreneurial
of an advanced knowledge and
and Diaspora through
capacities of the Macedonian
transformation of Macedonia
collaboration, networking and
leaders of tomorrow globally
into a vibrant economy.
social engagements.
through leadership development programs.
EXCEL
ETHICAL
We excel in efficient execution of
We promote an ethical approach
all programs and maximize the
to business as a fundamental
leverage of our donors’ support.
pillar of a healthy and prosperous society.
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MACEDONIA2025 MAIN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
01 ACCELERATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT We are dedicated to attracting foreign investment, supporting the competitiveness of Macedonian companies and stimulating export development. We work on supporting the steady development of entrepreneurs and startup companies, helping them grow and concur foreign markets. 1.1. The Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program in Partnership with CESO SACO 1.2. The Eighth Edition of the Macedonia2025 Summit 1.3. B2B Meetings and Export Support for Macedonian Companies 1.4. Support for Young and Aspiring Macedonian Entrepreneurs: The Leader Project 1.5. Pilot Program: Mentoring Program for Growth and Internalization ‘UPSCALE’ 1.6. Pilot Program: SME Market Expansion Program ‘LiftSME’
02 IMPLEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ACCELERATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INSPIRE AND IMPROVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MACEDONIA We evolve the leadership, managerial and entrepreneurial capacities of top Macedonian leaders of tomorrow through globally recognized leadership development programs, while at the same time supporting promising young talents to reach their full potential and become successful professionals. 2.1. Zafirovski Executive Education Program: Kellogg School of Management 2.2. Executive Study Program in Toronto: Schulich School of Business 2.3. The Support Fund for Talented Students: Scholarships Awarded to Ten Exceptional Students 2.4. Supporting Entrepreneurial Culture from Early Age: High School Students Competition and Business Pitchings 2.5. Improving the Quality of Primary Education across the Western Balkans through Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Coding Skills for Students: London School of Economics (LSE) and British Council 2.6. Hour of Code: Raising Awareness about Coding and IT Skills among Youth in Macedonia
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03 PROVIDE THE DIASPORA AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE LINKAGES WORLDWIDE We are dedicated to building strong partnerships and working together towards building a stronger nation. We represent a platform for all Macedonians around the globe to unite, help and join our efforts in supporting the economic and democratic growth of Macedonia. Together we can achieve more. 3.1. Increased Diaspora Engagement: Growing Body of Supporters and Friends among Macedonian Expatriates 3.2. Strengthening the Relations with the Macedonian Business Diaspora: Working Visit in Canada 3.3. Using the Potential of the Diaspora for Economic Prosperity of the Country: Coordinative Meeting of the Board of Directors with President Pendarovski 3.4. Macedonia2025 and the Economic Chamber of Macedonia Pledged to Intensify the Cooperation between Domestic Businesses and Professional Diaspora 3.5. Macedonia2025 Intensifies its International Cooperation: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vienna Economic Forum 3.6. Promoting our Successful Diaspora Members: Youth Diaspora Voices
04 ADVOCATE THE IDEALS OF TRANSPARENT, DEMOCRATIC AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY – GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS, GOOD FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY We advocate for a transparent and corruption-free society by meeting with relevant policymakers and providing expert guidance and research on key economic challenges. In order to increase the impact and policy influence in Macedonia, we implement an array of programs, conduct analyses and formal discussions with leading policymakers. From here, we improve the business environment and utilize the support from our expatriates for the economic progress of the country. 4.1. Macedonia2025 Presented with the National Award ‘Charter of the Republic of Macedonia’ 4.2. Policy Advocacy and Impact: High-Level Ministerial Meetings with Policy Stakeholders 4.3. Quarterly Economic Monitor 4.4. Research Articles and Policy Contributions 4.5. Improved Visibility: Macedonia2025 Annual Media Outreach 4.6. Taking Care of the Environment through Advocacy, Partnerships and Field Action
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05 HELP FACILITATE AND MAINTAIN DISCUSSIONS ON A ‘COUNTRY DASHBOARD’, TO ENSURE BROAD PROGRESS ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS BEING MADE AND HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION We believe that the Dashboard is an excellent measurement and monitoring tool that we also expect to evolve over time. We strive to find new and better ways to monitor the country progress, but also to make North Macedonia economically stronger. 5.1. Macedonia2025 Country Dashboard 5.2. Macedonia2025 Country Dashboard: Updates and Analysis
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1. ACCELERATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1.1. The Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program in Partnership with CESO SACO 8 successful CESO SACO assignments The aim of the Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program in partnership with CESO SACO is to support the growth of the private sector in the country and help businesses to internationalize, thus contributing to the overall economic development. CESO SACO provides senior Advisers, with experience in diverse sectors and industries to assist small entrepreneurs/MSMEs in improving their business operations by providing skills development and related best practices, processes and systems. The Advisers work on specific challenges that Macedonian companies face, by delivering in-depth mentorship and training, for improving their operations, production, marketing processes, market expansion challenges, etc. They are passionate about sharing the wealth of knowledge and expertise they have accumulated over their careers in meaningful ways. Since January 2019, we have realized eight highly successful assignments with two additional matchings. Macedonia2025 and the Bitove Family Foundation have a joint mission with CESO SACO to enhance the competitiveness of Macedonian companies. CESO SACO is dedicated to sustainably reducing poverty and fostering economic growth in Canada and globally.
KATERINA TRAJCHEVSKA, CEO AT ADEVA, SKOPJE. “As a company founded by engineers, we have always lacked the sales expertise and a proper structure that would help us grow faster. That is exactly what we got by the Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program: tailored support that helped us address all of our weaknesses and set a strategy for the long term. Working together with the sales consultant, we managed to differentiate our offering and improve the sales processes to be able to accelerate the growth of our company. We highly recommend this program to all Macedonian companies who need support with any aspect of the business.�
8 MACEDONIAN SMES IMPROVED THEIR PERFORMANCE ASSISTED BY SENIOR CANADIAN EXPERTS THROUGH THE BITOVE FAMILY ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CESO SACO (2019)
Adeva, Skopje Evrosimovski Consulting, Skopje Intertec.io, Skopje iSource, Bitola
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Marand Consulting, Skopje Reptil Marketi, Skopje Rudnici Banjani, Skopje SEMOS Eductaion, Skopje
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1.2.
The Eighth Edition of the Macedonia2025 Summit
The Summit represents a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge on business, economy, technology, innovation and values-based leadership. The eighth edition of the Macedonia2025 Summit took place on 13 - 15 November 2019 in Marriott Hotel - Skopje. 3-day rich program 17 panels and breakout sessions 50+ distinguished speakers from the public, private and academic sectors, as well as public policy makers 500+ diverse audience consisting of managers, executives, entrepreneurs, academia members, high officials and successful young professionals 500 online stream viewers, contributing to the panel discussions and significantly enlarging the overall scope of the Summit audience The Summit focused on the topics: Innovations and their Impact on Environment/ Air Pollution (from both policy and company perspective) Particulate Matter (PM) air pollution poses a threat both to people’s health as well as to the economy’s growth, imposing an enormous cost to the individuals and society in Macedonia. To resolve this major health crisis, bold and prompt action is necessary. Some of the immediate steps that need to be taken are avoiding dirty fuels and technologies in transport and energy production, stopping uncontrolled burning of solid waste and agricultural waste, reducing the use of fertilizers in agriculture, improving the heating options for families, switch from fossil fuels to clean fuels and clean technologies, as well as green, clean cities. As the focus of the Macedonia2025 Summit 2019, the panel on Innovations and their Impact on Environment/ Air Pollution served as an opportunity to discuss this major concern and gain beneficial insights from environmental experts, policy makers, innovative business leaders, activists, and businesses that lead with a good example. The abovementioned stakeholders shared their expertise in their respective fields, thus addressing the health risks of air pollution.
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Envisioning the Future of Jobs and Skills As technological progress is changing the landscape of business and task performance is increasingly moving towards automation, we have an unprecedented opportunity to seize this new age of computerization and improve both the quality of life and work by performing tasks more quickly, efficiently and correctly. However, businesses must not lose sight of the fact that all these new technologies are invented by people, in order to simplify task performance and reduce energy, cost and labor expenditure. Good management is essential in order to navigate these new waters competently. Leaders who recognize not only the benefits of technology, but also the indispensability of people are crucial. By implementing all the latest technologies and ensuring that workers are treated fairly, compensated accordingly and provided with all the relevant opportunities for personal growth and development, companies have a real opportunity to successfully join the Fourth Industrial Revolution and pave the way for sustainable and all-inclusive businesses in the 21st Century. Moreover, the Summit aimed to explore global economic and geopolitical trends, as well as financing options for SME, family businesses, and successful Macedonian platform companies, among others. Some of the speakers that shared their valuable insights at the Macedonia2025 Summit 2019 include:
• Alice Steinglass, President at Code.org • Elizabeth Naumovski, ‘Finance is Personal’ TV Host • Tom Bitove, Chair of PowerBev Inc. and PUR Brands Inc. Ontario • Teri Schultz, Freelance Reporter for NPR & Deutsche Welle • Peter Tabak, Associate Director & Lead Regional Economist at EBRD • Irena Joveva, Member of the European Parliament • Joonas Koivisto, Air Pollution Management, University of Helsinki Researcher • Goce Andrevski, Associate Professor & Distinguished Faculty Fellow of Strategy at Queen’s University The event was supported by 25+ incredible sponsors and 20+ national and international media partners, providing continuous optimal coverage of our events, programs and activities. We were also honored to host the five major Chambers of Commerce in the country, furthering the interests and advocating on behalf of the business community. Equally important, we were happy to see many networking and new contacts being made.
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The Summit 2019 hosted three pitching events (presentations of Macedonian companies) in line with the Macedonia2025 objective for promoting competitiveness and exports of Macedonian companies, and accelerating the growth of start-up companies. The Summit opened with finals for the High School Students Competition ‘Best Business Concept’ and a Startup Pitching Competition as an intro into our new program ‘UPSCALE’ (see point 1.5.). Our future plans involve providing an increased support for domestic businesses, through developing new programs that meet the needs of today. Moreover, the Summit hosted presentations of selected 10 SMEs, which aim at U.S. market expansion (see point 1.6.). Last but not least, as part of the ‘Planting for the Future’ event, in partnership with ‘Treebanks’, 100 trees were planted, in the spirit of one of the main Summit topics on protecting the environment.
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1.3.
B2B Meetings and Export Support for Macedonian Companies
50+ B2B Summit Meetings The Macedonia2025 Summit offered domestic companies and interested participants an excellent opportunity for networking with foreign companies, potential investors, as well as distinguished diaspora members. As part of this year’s Summit, 50+ formal B2B meetings were scheduled, which contributed towards forging new business relations and developing lasting partnerships. In addition, many more meetings and discussions were held informally. In this way, we supported Macedonian companies’ expansion to foreign markets and increased their professional network by helping them develop lasting partnerships, and sharing innovation and change. We would like to give special thanks to our long-term organizational partner ‘Web Factory’ for developing the online B2B platform as an in-kind Summit donation.
1.4.
Support for Young and Aspiring Macedonian Entrepreneurs: The Leader Project
35+ Leader Project Alumni In 2019, Macedonia2025 completed the twelfth edition of the Leader Project. The Leader Project is implemented in cooperation with the renowned Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario, Canada. At this ten-day free-of-charge program, participants have the opportunity to learn through business case studies, which are part of the Richard Ivey MBA curriculum. The goal of the program is to educate Macedonian entrepreneurs on the fundamentals of doing business. Participants learn how to turn their business ideas into a reality or to successfully expand their existing companies in the country. We thus support the growth of Macedonian businesses and entrepreneurship, which positively affects the overall economic development of the country. Last year, 35 participants have attended the program where four MBA students taught the attendees about different business growth strategies. It is worth mentioning that a networking event was organized, attended by the Leader Project alumni, the participants and many other regional business professionals. At the event, the participants had the opportunity to increase their professional network that can potentially lead to successful business cooperation.
SASHA KRSTEV, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WEB FACTORY “I was very grateful to be selected for Ivey’s Leader project. It is an excellent opportunity to learn the skills and tools you will need to successfully develop your business idea. It is a very engaging class, where you learn by participating and analyzing real-world scenarios by applying your previous experience and knowledge gained in class. There is no more effective way to gain knowledge in the field and meet similarly minded entrepreneurs. Do not miss it.”
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The Leader Project Winners (2019) 1st place: Sasha Krstev, Software Developer/ Business Development, Web Factory 2nd place: Marko Serafimovski, COO at Ceritadira and BDM at Semos Education 3rd place: Simona Misheva, Sales and Marketing Specialist and Partner Account Manager, Nextsense
1.5. Pilot Program: Mentoring Program for Growth and Internalization ‘UPSCALE’ 7 start-ups qualified for the mentoring program The aim of the mentoring program ‘UPSCALE’ is to enable transfer of knowledge and experience from the professional Macedonian expatriates to leading Macedonian start-ups. Mentors help startups overcome identified challenges in different areas, such as, setting clear growth strategy, go-to market goals, customer discovery, customer acquisition, entering foreign markets, etc. Each participant receives a highly experienced and qualified business individual that is a good match and fit to the company, industry, and/or stage of development. The mentoring program consists of two phases. The first phase is an online mentoring for the qualified participants (startups), and consists of reviewing the startup go-to market strategy. The second phase will start only if a company is ready, as assessed by the mentor, in which the mentor should provide networking, introduction to possible business partners, customers, re-sellers and/or investors. Seven out of ten participants of the pitching at the Macedonia2025 Summit in 2019 have successfully qualified for the program, and will receive mentoring, starting from the first quarter of 2020. Special thanks goes to our partners for the program – ‘Fund for Innovations and Technology Development’, ‘Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation’ and ‘Startup Macedonia’. Our plans include further growing this program, providing support to more startups and engaging more diaspora members.
1.6. Pilot Program: SME Market Expansion Program ‘LiftSME’ 10 SME will receive support to expand to the U.S. market The SME market expansion program aims to help Macedonian SMEs with their USA market expansion efforts. The program provides a soft landing spot, sales and market discovery assistance, as well as investment facilitation. The pre-implementation phase consisted of pre-selecting the best companies who are fit for this program, which then presented themselves in front of a business expert panel at the Macedonia2025 Summit 2019. Two out of ten companies were assessed as being ready for the entrance into the US market, whereas the remaining eight companies all qualified to be ‘lifted’ to that level. Macedonia2025 with its US partner, Entrepreneurial Muscle Lab (EML) developed a tailor-made training program for each of these companies and will assist the companies to become ready to concur the US market. In the second stage of the ‘LiftSME’, the participants will be able to be part of the Boston Accelerator Program, have customer meetings and project virtual enterprise establishment.
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2. IMPLEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ACCELERATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INSPIRE AND IMPROVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MACEDONIA We evolve the leadership, managerial and entrepreneurial capacities of top Macedonian leaders of tomorrow through globally recognized leadership development programs, while at the same time supporting promising young talents to reach their full potential and become successful professionals.
2.1 Zafirovski Executive Education Program: Kellogg School of Management 6 scholarships for the globally renowned Kellogg School of Management 4 Executive Development Program (EDP) 2 Advanced Management Program (AMP) As part of the Zafirovski Executive Education Program, Macedonia2025 provides scholarships for top Macedonian business leaders to the globally renowned Kellogg School of Management (KSM), Northwestern University in Chicago, USA. The program consists of three weeks executive course program and numerous additional opportunities for: mentoring, networking and experiential learning. The aim is to enhance the competencies and performance of Macedonian business professionals and contribute to the further development of the Macedonian economy and workforce. The Kellogg School of Management and Macedonia2025 have a common interest in supporting the business leaders to further advance career-wise and privately, thus positively influencing the economy and society. Macedonia2025 wishes to express gratitude to the Kellogg School of Management and the Robin and Mike Zafirovski Foundation for supporting the Zafirovski Executive Education Program. Through the Zafirovski Executive Education Program, Macedonia2025 fulfils its mission to help create a prosperous economic climate and a ‘stronger nation’ and educate the 100 top business leaders in the country.
MAJA STAVREVA STOJANOVA, MANAGER OF SALES NETWORK DIVISION, NLB BANKA AD “The executive education experience at Northwestern Kellogg is exceptional by any means, standards or measurements. It enriches you, grows you, and shapes you – it is everything that education should be. Participation in the program boosts your self-esteem. Understanding that you can participate, debate and contribute equally with all other participants in the program, proves one’s high level of professionalism. Even though we come from a very challenging surrounding, with a limited number of possibilities, we are still able to compete on a same level with those coming from a superior environment. Equipped with everything learnt in the three amazing weeks at Kellogg, you will return home with an abundance of ideas for mprovement of your micro as well as macro habitat; energized and motivated to deal with different obstacles and challenges you are facing every day; willing to give back to the society and contribute for its betterment.”
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Zafirovski Executive Education Program Alumni (2019) Ilioski Borche, Managing Director, M6 Investments, Skopje Ivanovikj Stanisha, Chief Executive Officer, UNNIX LTD, Skopje Markovic Biljana, Experienced Professional in the NGO and Business Development Sector, Skopje Siljanovski Dimitar, Founder & Executive Board Member, Intertec, Skopje Stanchev Branko, Chief Commercial Officer, Makedonski Telekom AD Skopje Stavreva Stojanova Maja, Manager of Sales Network Division, NLB Banka AD Skopje
2.2. Executive Study Program in Toronto: Schulich School of Business 2019 marked the fifth edition of the Executive Study Program in Toronto, in cooperation with the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University in Toronto, Canada. The program is designed to provide Macedonian talented executives with a complete North American experience through access to some of the best executive education courses and business experience in North American companies. This program increases participants’ competencies and performance in a continuously changing global business environment. The program combines participation in Executive/Leadership Development courses at the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) at York University in Toronto, Canada with job shadowing at a renowned company. Macedonia2025 provides a full scholarship for experienced managers, executives and entrepreneurs from Macedonia for one-week executive courses at the Schulich School of Business. We also provide a week of job shadowing in a company that matches the industry and qualifications of the participant. This program also offers a unique networking opportunity that can help export-oriented companies promote their products and services to the global markets. Executive development at Schulich is all about ‘just-in-time’ learning, focused, practical and immediately applicable to the task at hand.
SANJA TANCEVSKA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, TRIGLAV INSURANCE “It was a great privilege to have the opportunity of taking part in the Executive Study Program in Toronto, supported by Macedonia 2025. The attendance at the Strategic Agility Course at the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) was one-of-a-kind experience that motivated me to think ‘out of the box’ and gave me answers on how to implement written corporate strategy into real-life business. The module provided me with opportunity to learn new skills and proficiency of how to adapt to the changing marketplace and business environment. The lecturers were skillful, passionate, using their personal experience as a teaching tool and excited to show us the way, not just during the course, but after that as well. I highly recommend this education program to everyone who is a leader or has the ambition to become one.”
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Executive Study Program in Toronto Alumni (2019) Andonov Mitko, Business Development Manager, Kolid International, Strumica Mircic Goran, Commercial Excellence Manager, Pivara Skopje AD Mitrevski Viktor, Engineering Manager at H4, Former CEO, Skopje Tanchevska Sanja, Deputy Director to the Executive Directors, Triglav Insurance AD Skopje
2.3 The Support Fund for Talented Students: Scholarships Awarded to Ten Exceptional Students 10 scholarships for talented youth & support for additional 3 youths Following the success of last year’s pilot project, the Support Fund for Talented Students ‘Talents Today – Leaders Tomorrow’, we continued to provide financial means as support for talented youth from the country. With this project, we help talented youths reach their potential and lift the financial constraints on their path towards progress and success. We established the Fund with tremendous support from our Ambassadors Club members, companies, individuals and Rotary Club Skopje Centar. Together we secured funds for supporting young talents for the period 2019-2022. In 2019, scholarships were awarded to 10 individuals, where the financial support for each candidate amounts to 60 000 MKD per year (May 2019-May 2020). These scholarships provide the selected ten students with the opportunity for continuous talent and skills development through mentoring, participation in international competitions, trainings, and internships in prominent companies. In this way, Macedonia2025 actively contributes to a more inclusive society and realizes its mission – supporting the economic development of the country and improving the living standard of the citizens. We are so proud of our young talents’ wonderful achievements and their passion for excellence. Among our talents we have: Innovative talent in biology and chemistry, who was engaged in the realization of the design solution to reduce the air pollution in our country. Youngest Full Stack Web Developer in Macedonia, who graduated from Code Academy for Programming. A talent in mathematics and physics, who was a finalist in the United Technologies Aerospace Challenge organized by the New York Academy of Science. Gold medal recipient in State Debate Competition and the Mediterranean Mathematics Competition. Bronze medal recipient in the Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad.
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Our heart-felt thanks to: Alili Vahit Carapic Stevica Jolevski Pero Kiseloski Bojana Orovcanec Aleksandar Papazoski Metodija
We would warmly welcome new donations for the program, and we look forward to expanding the support from only monetary to also include technical equipment and other forms of assistance.
Siljanovski Dimitar
2.4 Supporting Entrepreneurial Culture from Early Age: High School Students Competition 10 scholarships for talented youth & support for additional 3 youths Macedonia2025, the Business Startup Centre at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University), the Bureau for Development of Education (BDE), and the National Center for Development of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning (NCDIEL) organized a High School Students Competition titled ‘Best Business Concept’ for all state high school and vocational school students. The initial phase of the competition consisted of selection from the received applications. The second phase, the semi-final, included a presentation of business plans in front of a jury and a large audience. Furthermore, during the semi-finals, the participants had the honour of listening to a motivational lecture titled ‘The Wizard of Management for Startups’ by the renowned Mr. Bogdan Damjanovic - CESO CASO Adviser and an expert in project management, engineering process design and startups. The finale of the competition took place at the Macedonia2025 Summit 2019, in front of an audience of more than 100 participants. 1st place: Team ‘Voices’ from ‘Arseni Jovkov’ - Skopje 2nd place: Team ‘1CLICK’ from ‘Orce Nikolov’ – Skopje 3rd place: Teams ‘FADL’ from ‘Rade Jovcevski Korcagin’ – Skopje and ‘SBF’ from Josif Josifovski – Gevgelija Macedonia2025 presented financial awards to the three winning teams, courtesy of our Board Member, Chris Pavlovski. Some of our sponsors presented additional gifts to all teams participating at the finals. Macedonia2025 strongly believes that entrepreneurial thinking and behavior start at an early age, and as an organization, we continuously support and promote entrepreneurship among youth. Through our programs and activities, we strive to accelerate leadership development and inspire and improve entrepreneurship in Macedonia.
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2.5. Improving the Quality of Primary Education across the Western Balkans through Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Coding Skills for Students: Macedonia2025 is partnering with the British Council and London School of Economics (LSE) in implementation of the project titled ‘21st Century Schools Programme’. The British Council is the main partner in this project, which aims to equip students aged 10-15 years across the Western Balkan region with critical thinking, problem solving, and ICT skills. Apart from learning critical thinking and problem solving, children learn practical programming and have the opportunity to practice their skills through physical computing. To compete in the global job market, skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, digital literacy and creativity are key to success. As part of the program, each school in the Western Balkans is provided with a number of micro:bit devices – pocket sized computers which children can programme onto and use across subjects to solve every day problems. It allows students to learn in a fun, interactive and innovative way. The three-year education programme is designed and implemented by the British Council and funded by the UK Government. Macedonia2025, together with LSE, is responsible for the evaluation of the impact of this Programme, regarding the improvement of the learning process and the skills of young people. For that purpose, we are providing a baseline and ex-post analysis/report through conducting in-depth-interviews and questionnaires with the relevant stakeholders, i.e. policy makers, school leaders, teachers and pupils. Macedonia2025 successfully completed the first part of the evaluation, and it will continue to evaluate the British Council’s ’21 Century Schools Programme’ until 2021, when all primary schools in the country have successfully implemented the Programme into the teaching practices.
2.6. Hour of Code: Raising Awareness about Coding and IT Skills among Youth in Macedonia 60+ schools and other partners participated in ‘Hour of Code’ Macedonia The world we live in today has never seemed smaller, more connected and better suited to all of our needs. Technology and digitalization have penetrated every pore of our private and work life, and ‘smart’ systems have become an integral part of our every experience – working together with us and for us. Macedonia needs to move fast and create conditions for greater use of ICT across the government and government services, companies (including e-commerce and e-business) and citizens. Digital education is crucial for creation of the future workforce. Coding, entrepreneurship and soft skills education should be introduced in early childhood. Hence, Macedonia2025 strives to support the country, especially the youth, to further the learning and acquisition of digital skills. This is implemented by raising awareness among youths, as well as through the project ‘21st Century Schools Programme’ (2.6.).
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The Summit 2019 hosted Alice Steinglass, president and founder of Code.org - the organization behind the first ‘Hour of Code’ event, as a Summit speaker on ‘The Future of Work – How do we prepare the Nation to Succeed and Lead’. Ms. Steinglass also performed her famous ‘Hour of Code’ event with the President of Macedonia, Mr. Pendarovski at ‘Mladi Hub’ offices in Skopje, where the President had the opportunity to write few lines of code himself, with the assistance of young students from several elementary schools in Skopje. We are happy to announce that this raised awareness and promoted the coding event to a large number of schools and companies in Macedonia. While in 2018, only 6 partners (mainly schools) from Macedonia were part of the international ‘Hour of Code’ event, this number increased to 60+ schools and other partners (mainly IT companies), after the Macedonia2025 Summit.
Hour of Code’ is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries, born from the idea that anyone can learn how to code. The idea led to an e-campaign involving all sorts of influential tech companies and celebrities supporting the ‘Hour of Code’ to get majority of people to try one hour of coding. High schools from around the world participate during the Computer Science Education Week. One of the main goals of the movement is increasing diversity in computer science by giving every student the opportunity to learn computer science in school.
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3. PROVIDE THE DIASPORA AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE LINKAGES WORLDWIDE We are dedicated to building strong partnerships and working together towards building a stronger nation. We represent a platform for all Macedonians around the globe to unite, help and join our efforts in supporting the economic and democratic growth of Macedonia. Together we can achieve more.
3.1. Increased Diaspora Engagement: Growing Body of Supporters and Friends among Macedonian Expatriates One of our main goals is to connect professional diaspora around the globe to support the economic growth of Macedonia. Throughout 2019, Macedonia2025 worked on increasing its diaspora engagement by establishing a growing body of supporters and friends among Macedonian expatriates. Renowned members of the Macedonian Diaspora attended the annual Macedonia2025 Summit and participated in the formal and informal B2B Summit meetings, which intended to provide support and networking opportunities for Macedonian businesses or startups. Moreover, through our pilot program ‘UPSCALE’, our Board of Directors also demonstrated their support for growth and internationalization of Macedonian companies. In addition, diaspora members were part of the jury of the High School Students Competition ‘Best Business Concept’, where they expressed genuine interest in assisting the personal and professional development of young and ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe that in this way Macedonia2025 provides the diaspora numerous opportunities to strengthen and improve linkages worldwide, thus contributing to the economic and democratic development of the country.
3.2. Strengthening the Relations with the Macedonian Business Diaspora: Working Visit in Canada Our organization believes that it is crucial to connect the Macedonian expat community and discuss opportunities for business cooperation, which can contribute to the success of our nation and our people. On that note, in July 2019, Macedonia2025’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Nikica Mojsoska-Blazhevski payed an official working visit to Toronto, Canada, where she met with several Macedonia2025 Board Members, some of the most successful Macedonian expatriates, as well as several long-term partners and organizational supporters. Dr. Mojsoska-Blazhevski presented Macedonia2025’s wide array of programs and the different modes of giving back to the homeland, with the mission of energizing our diaspora through collaboration, networking and social engagements. Moreover, Dr. Mojsoska-Blazhevski visited the 77th Annual Macedonian Open Golf Tournament. The Macedonian Open is one of Canada’s longest running golf tournaments and today it is Canadian-Macedonian Place Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. Enjoyed by Macedonians young and old - and friends of Macedonians - it has become a wonderful and very special day of fun, camaraderie and competition, all supporting a great cause.
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3.3. Using the Potential of the Diaspora for Economic Prosperity of the Country: Coordinative Meeting of the Board of Directors with President Pendarovski Macedonia2025 works in partnership with the government to generate opportunities and build capacities for economic growth, therefore helping build a stronger nation. On that occasion, the Board of Directors met with Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, the President of the Republic of Macedonia. At the official meeting, Mr. Pendarovski expressed his support for the work of our organization and its mission to help create a prosperous economic climate that will improve opportunities for citizens, companies, and foreign investors. The Board of Directors presented Macedonia2025’s programs and activities, focusing on their active involvement in building a better future for the country’s citizens. They all expressed their strong commitment to intensifying the cooperation between our business community and the renowned Macedonian expatriates. Macedonia2025 is an organization that represents an excellent medium for interested Macedonian expatriates to give back and proactively contribute to the economic and democratic development of the country. Mr. Pendarovski opened the eighth edition of the Macedonia2025 Summit – a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, connecting businesses and inspiring innovation and change in Southeast Europe.
3.4. Macedonia2025 and the Economic Chamber of Macedonia Pledged to Intensify the Cooperation between Domestic Businesses and Professional Diaspora It is important to utilize the potential of our diaspora, with the aim of supporting the expansion and excellence of domestic companies. Strengthening our business community and helping the economic development of the country is one of our main strategic objectives. Having that in mind, the Chairwoman of the Board of Macedonia2025, Vera Stavroff, and the President of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, Branko Azeski, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The Memorandum pledges on exchange of information and activities for facilitating business communication between the members of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia and foreign companies, with a special emphasis on increased export-import activities. We believe that this formal partnership will enhance the cooperation between the Macedonian business community and the business expatriates, positively assisting the growth of domestic companies.
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3.5. Macedonia2025 Intensifies its International Cooperation: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vienna Economic Forum Macedonia2025’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Nikica Mojsoska-Blazhevski and the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva had the honour and pleasure to formally establish an official partnership between Macedonia2025 and the Vienna Economic Forum by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU expresses a convergence of the will of the two parties to establish cooperation and good relations, in order to support the economic development for the members of both organizations and the activities of both sides. Macedonia2025’s CEO and Diaspora Relations Officer participated at the 16th Vienna Economic Forum Vienna Future Dialogue 2019: ‘From Planned Economy to Market Economy - 30 years after the Fall of the Iron Curtain’, which took place on 18 November 2019. Founding Members of Vienna Economic Forum are, next to Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, some of the most reputable companies and entrepreneurs of Austria. The Committee of Patrons of Vienna Economic Forum consists of the Prime Ministers from all the states from the region, as well as the Austrian Federal Chancellor. Next to that, the Ambassadors of the Western Balkan countries are taking part in the work of Vienna Economic Forum as Honorary Members of the Ambassadors Committee. Vienna Economic Forum promotes economic cooperation between the countries and territories from the Adriatic to the Black Sea, namely in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine from its headquarters in Vienna.
3.6. Promoting our Successful Diaspora Members: Youth Diaspora Voices As of June 2019, we developed a new online campaign called ‘Youth Diaspora Voices’. This initiative promotes the successful Macedonian Youth Diaspora worldwide and gives them an opportunity to strengthen their linkages with the homeland. It highlights our young diaspora members’ achievements and success stories that serve as a positive promotion of our country. The campaign also aims to inspire other young people of Macedonian origin to be better acquainted with our organization and the different ways of future involvement. Some of the participants include Stefani Gjorcheska, ASU graduate in genetics and cell-developmental biology; Stojanche Gjorcheski, ASU graduate in aeronautical management technology with major in air traffic control; Adil Mehmed, University of Manchester graduate and master student at the prestigious University of St. Gallen - Switzerland, etc.
#YouthDiasporaVoices
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4. ADVOCATE THE IDEALS OF TRANSPARENT, DEMOCRATIC AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY – GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS, GOOD FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY We advocate for a transparent and corruption-free society by meeting with relevant policymakers and providing expert guidance and research on key economic challenges. In order to increase the impact and policy influence in Macedonia, we implement an array of programs, conduct analyses and formal discussions with leading policymakers. From here, we improve the business environment and utilize the support from our expatriates for the economic progress of the country.
4.1. Macedonia2025 Presented with the National Award ‘Charter of the Republic of Macedonia’ Macedonia2025 was presented with the national award ‘Charter of the Republic of Macedonia’ by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, for the organization’s significant contribution to the economic and institutional development of the country and for successfully promoting Macedonia abroad. The award celebrates the 10-th anniversary of the organization’s work. Since its inception, Macedonia2025 has invested $1 million in leadership programs, which involved more than 500 Macedonian entrepreneurs and managers and $3 million for economic development programs such as trade missions, business conferences and international networking events.
4.2. Policy Advocacy and Impact: High-Level Ministerial Meetings with Policy-Makers, International Economic Organizations and the Diplomatic Corps In 2019, Macedonia2025’s CEO realized a number of high-level ministerial meetings, aimed at advocating and presenting measures, reforms and activities of the organization (and its partners) with a potential to improve the business environment, promote democratic and inclusive society and improve the living standards of citizens. Some of the highlights include: •
Meeting with Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with Mr. Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with Mr. Edmond Ademi, Minister without Portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in charge of Diaspora Affairs
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Meeting with Mr. Naser Nuredini, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with Prof. Dr. Zoran Sapuric, Minister without Portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, in charge of Regulations for Improvement of the Investment Climate for Domestic Companies
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Meeting with Mr. Kiril Kolemishevski, Deputy Minister for Economy in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with high representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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Meeting with H.E. Kate Marie Byrnes, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with H.E. Christian Thimonier, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Macedonia
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Meeting with H.E. Rachel Galloway, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Macedonia
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As part of our advocacy activities throughout the year, we have provided two changes in legislation: •
Regulation on VAT on Outsourced Services (affecting 50+ companies)
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Changes to the Personal Income Tax
In addition, our Summit hosted an esteemed audience of professionals and practitioners from business, policymaking, international organizations and NGOs who shared best practices and, in our belief, inspired changes and improvements for all actors in Macedonia. Dr. Nigel Jollands - Associate Director of Policy Products and Green Cities, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change at EBRD, spoke about how the city of Skopje is working with the EBRD Green Cities initiative to tackle air pollution through gas-powered buses and that the government is working with municipalities in the Northeast to build a world-class landfill site with international funding. Moreover, Mr. Nuredini, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of Macedonia, joined the debate on innovations and their impact on environment.
4.3. Quarterly Economic Monitor
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4.4. Research Articles and Policy Contributions We strive to raise our voice and to advocate for positive changes in areas, which we believe are crucial for the economic prosperity of Macedonia. These areas are classified as ‘growth enablers’ in the Macedonia2025 Country Dashboard, such as education quality, investments, R&D expenditures, democratic freedom, corruption perception index, ease of doing business and environment. While we track the country progress in these areas and its comparative ranking among some peer countries, we also promote reforms and measures, in order to improve the future outcomes. In this respect, in 2019 our organization developed several research articles and policy contributions on the following topics related to the core challenges of Macedonia: • Air Pollution in Macedonia: The Growing Health and Economic Threat • Envisioning the Future of Jobs and Skills • Digital Platform Companies: The Business Model of the Future? • Policy Contribution: Are Macedonian Wages Low or High – Wage Comparison between Western Balkan Countries and Comparator EU Member States Some of these topics were also discussed at the Summit, which offered an opportunity to learn the best practices from around the world. What is more, Macedonia2025’s CEO, Dr. Mojsoska-Blazhevski, participated in and contributed to a number of public debates on key economic and societal issues, some of which include: • Public Debate: ‘18% Different: Gender Wage Gaps in Macedonia’, Center for Research and Policy Making • Panel Discussion: ‘Human Capital that Meets the Business Needs’, Economic Chamber of Macedonia • Macedonia Manufacturing Expo 2019: Moderating the Panel ‘Marketing for Export Manufacturing: Challenges and Practices for Macedonian Companies’, MAMEI and AHK • Forum: ‘Western Balkans Women in Business Regional Forum’, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
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4.5. Improved Visibility: Macedonia2025 Annual Media Outreach Special thanks to our communications partner Image PR - First independent specialized public relations agency in Macedonia.
We are grateful for our media partners who stepped forward to help spread the word about what we do by covering our events, programs and research activities. Thank you for your continuous support! • 500+ articles, media mentions and interviews with Summit participants and Board members. • 25+ domestic, regional and international media partners. • 5 interviews with the CEO in written media, 5 TV and radio interviews, providing boosted presence in the media, advocating for business reforms, better policymaking, transparent and corruption-free society. • We are dedicated to providing more and useful information of our activities to our media partners. We organized a ‘Media Briefing’ and ‘Breakfast with Journalists’, supported by our communications partner Image PR. • We increased the use and publicity of the Country Dashboard: Dashboard updates are published on a monthly basis at one of the most prominent business magazines in the country ‘Economy & Business’. • We started an initiative in which we provide an interactive tool for all interested partners to explore the Dashboard indicators. • We are committed to maintaining good relations with our donors, sponsors and organizational stakeholders. In 2019, we hosted a ‘Sponsors Lunch’ with our corporate partners and sponsors, where we exchanged plans and ideas for intensified collaboration towards common goals. • We established a close collaboration with the start-up community in the country, becoming a member of the Macedonian Innovation Platform. We strongly believe in the potential of this Platform and the startups. • We developed a brand new organizational website in-house, providing more information, in a better and more user-friendly format to all interested parties. • Our Co-Founder and Board Member, Mike Zafirovski had an opening video address at the second edition of the Media Innovation Forum in Skopje, Macedonia, discussing the importance of communications in business and everyday life, especially in the wake of the raising fake news. • Improved social media presence, reach and engagement: 17000+ followers on social media with more than 25% growth of online brand audience (Facebook/ LinkedIn/ Twitter/ Instagram).
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4.6. Taking Care of the Environment through Advocacy, Partnerships and Field Action Macedonia2025 is dedicated to preserving and protecting our environment. Air pollution was a key topic covered at the Macedonia2025 Summit 2019 and served as an opportunity to discuss this major concern and gain beneficial insights from environmental experts, policy makers, innovative business leaders, activists, and businesses that lead with best practices. Air pollution is not only a major health hazard, but also poses a serious threat to the global and local economic growth. Air pollution has a serious impact on economic growth through increasing medical expenditure, decrease in work productivity and rise in premature death toll. At the Summit, an initiative for planting trees, ‘Treebanks’, contributed to the panel ‘Innovations and their Impact on Environment/ Air Pollution’, by holding a presentation of their mission and inviting the broader audience to participate in their goal of planting one million trees nation-wide. As part of the Summit community outreach activities, Macedonia2025 and ‘Treebanks’ organized an event ‘Planting for the Future’ for all Summit participants to plant trees at mount Vodno. One hundred trees were planted in the hope of contributing to the environmental protection of Macedonia. Macedonia2025 and ‘Treebanks’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
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5. HELP FACILITATE AND MAINTAIN DISCUSSIONS ON A ‘COUNTRY DASHBOARD’, TO ENSURE BROAD PROGRESS ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS BEING MADE AND HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION We believe that the Dashboard is an excellent measurement and monitoring tool that we also expect to evolve over time. We strive to find new and better ways to monitor the country progress, but also to make North Macedonia economically stronger.
5.1. Macedonia2025 Country Dashboard The idea behind the Dashboard was born at one of Macedonia2025 annual Board meetings, when thinking about our purpose and mission, a simple question was raised – ‘What do we mean by a ‘stronger’ nation? And can we prepare a related strategic plan?’ That is why, complementary to our programs, partnerships and initiatives, we led the effort for establishing the Dashboard, with the aim of positively influencing the government and other stakeholders through related countries’ experiences and best practices. Our efforts were also professionally supported by McKinsey & Company, which provided a synthesis of country dashboard best practices and peer country dashboard examples. Within this process, we ‘funneled down’ a large number of potential metrics (i.e. indicators) to ‘top metrics’ that we found most valuable and informative for North Macedonia, alongside with an extensive input from Macedonia2025 Board Members. The Country Dashboard is fully aligned with our mission and strategic objectives. Our vision is to assist the creation of a prosperous economic climate and a ‘stronger nation’ that will improve opportunities for citizens, domestic companies and foreign investors. We seek to promote sustainable economic growth through fostering competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovations and valuesbased leadership. The Country Dashboard is made up of fourteen measures/indicators. Seven of those track the economic growth, while the remaining seven mimic and measure the most important (in our view) drivers for growth – ‘Growth Enablers’. The Dashboard provides a relatively simple, but informative view on the economic conditions and progress made over time, by them being put in a comparative perspective. For the latter, we use a selection of 34 countries which were chosen as country peer group, based on several indicators, but mainly being classified as upper middle-income countries, according to the World Bank. Such choice was made following the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) suggested peer group for North Macedonia. WEF selects peer groups largely based on a country’s stage of economic development. In this regard, we also provide ranking of the country within the 34 countries and track the progress in relative terms. As the name of the organization (Macedonia2025) shows, the idea of our founders was to support the country to become part of the developed Western world by 2025. Hence, at the time the Dashboard was created, preliminary targets were set of what the country should achieve by 2025, so that it prospers rapidly towards EU and NATO, and is a better place for living. These targets are also shown in the Dashboard.
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Some of the targets include: 5-year average GDP growth of 4-5%, unemployment rate to reach 12%, the country to be ranked in the top half among the peer countries regarding democratic freedom and top quartile for corruption index, etc. While our organization is aware that we cannot directly influence the economic indicators, we believe that our programs and actions contribute towards creating both short and long-term conditions for growth, i.e. we do affect the Growth Enablers. While we believe that the Dashboard is an excellent measurement and monitoring tool, we also expect that it will evolve over time. We will strive to find new and better ways to monitor the country progress, but also to make North Macedonia economically stronger.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY (TBD)
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2019) We truly acknowledge the leadership, commitment and support of our Board of Directors.
Vera Stavroff
Michael Cklamovski
Mike Zafirovski
John Bitove
Mitre Kutanovski
Robert Arsov
Chris Pavlovski
Peter Simeon
Jim Nikopoulos
Robert Robert Stevanovski Stevanovski
Nevenka Dimitrova
Ana Arsov
Jana Marin
Alek Icev
Kati Iceva
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OUR GLOBAL NETWORK (2019) Ambassadors Club
Council of Experts
Aleksandar Orovcanec, Canada
Ichak Adizes, USA
Metodija Papazoski, Poland
Marta Arsovska Tomovska, Macedonia
Oliver Petkovski, USA
Borijan Borozanov, Macedonia
Filip Popov, Macedonia
Ivo Boskoski, Italy
Vladimir Robevski, Macedonia
Vlado Dimovski, Slovenia
Dimitar Siljanovski, Germany
Ada Gavrilovska, USA
Petar Spaseski, Macedonia
Valentin Gjorgjievski, Slovenia
Aleksandar Stamboliev, Macedonia
Vanja Josifovski, USA
Kirk Zafirovski, USA
Dejan Kalinikov, Macedonia
Matthew Zafirovski, USA
Vlaho Kostov, Germany
Sadat Alimi, Switzerland
Lou Naumovski, Canada
Vahit Alili, UK
Biljana Nikolova, Australia
Mitko Andonov, Macedonia
Viktor Nelepa, UAE
Allan Castillo, Macedonia
Ivan Skenderoski, Macedonia/UAE
Dino Gramatikov, Switzerland
Lily Stojanovska, Ausralia/UAE
Borche Ilioski, Macedonia
Mile Terziovski, Australia
Dijana Indovski, Canada
Jatin Thakrar, Macedonia
Stefan Ivanovski, Macedonia
Izaac Trpeski, Australia
Pero Jolevski, USA
Russ Trpkovski, USA
Petar Kajevski, Austria
Igor Tulevski, the Netherlands
Nikola Kjurciski, Macedonia
Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Belgium
Zlate Koviloski, Germany
Slavica Waite, UK
Mircho Krsteski, Germany Nick Lazarevski, Australia Bojana Kiseloski, Middle East Borko Handjiski, Middle East
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HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OUR MISSION? Macedonia2025 is dedicated to helping create a prosperous economic climate and a ‘stronger nation’ that will improve opportunities for citizens, companies, and foreign investors. We promote sustainable economic growth through fostering competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovation and values-based leadership. Creating the desired impact requires a significant amount of resources – which we rely on our donors to
meeting the
requirements for tax-exempt status as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act. Contributions to the foundation are deductible against Macedonian taxes.
MACEDONIA2025 TEAM (2019) A special thanks to the Macedonia2025 team for their hard work and efforts in the realization of our mission and vision. Nikica Mojsoska-Blazhevski, Chief Executive Officer Vase Georgievska, Financial Manager Maja Staleska, Event Manager Elena Zhurkova, Education Programs Manager Ema Jakimovska, Communications & Policy Specialist Galena Cunningham, Diaspora Relations Officer Stefan Ivanovski, Multimedia Production & Web Design Ljupcho Spirov, Video Production and IT Technician Gordana Klincharova, Financial Advisor Brendan Filipovski, Research Manager Ognen Takovski, Research Assistant Katerina Kolarova, Project Assistant Martina Dzeloska, Executive Assistant
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WE THANK OUR PARTNERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT
MEDIA PARTNERS
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MACEDONIA2025 IN THE MEDIA
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KEEP IN TOUCH, FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
@MACEDONIA2025
CONTACT US Luj Paster No.1 - 2
office@macedonia2025.com
+1 646 481 6808
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ANNUAL
REPORT 2019