Skopje, June 2, 2026
The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, at its last session, adopted the Operational Plan for Active Programs and Measures for Employment and Labor Market Services for 2026, which provides over MKD2.4 billion, or more than EUR39 million, to support employment, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
At today's press conference, the Minister of Economy and Labour Besar Durmishi and the Director of the Employment Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia, Adnan Eyup, presented the measures and programs envisaged by the Plan, which will cover more than 10.000 citizens this year.
Minister Durmishi emphasized that the Operational Plan represents one of the most significant economic and social policies of the Government, aimed at creating new jobs, supporting youth, developing entrepreneurship and ensuring greater inclusion of vulnerable categories of citizens in the labor market.
"With this plan, we are investing directly in people. We are providing concrete support for young people who want to start their own business, for companies that are creating new jobs, for people who need new skills and qualifications, as well as for vulnerable categories of citizens. Our goal is to translate economic growth into new job opportunities and a better standard of living," stressed Minister Durmishi.
Special emphasis in the Operational Plan is placed on the development of entrepreneurship and self-employment. For this purpose, support is provided for over 2.000 people through self-employment measures, including for young people up to 29 years of age, people over 29 years of age and the association of beneficiaries in trade companies. These measures provide grants of up to MKD615.000 for establishing one's own business, as well as support of up to MKD1.230.000 for the association of several beneficiaries in a joint business. With these funds, the Government directly invests in opening new companies, encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit and creating new jobs, especially among young people, as well as funds for internships, training for scarce occupations, public works, the care economy and youth allowance.
New measures are also being introduced this year, including the training and employment program for firefighters, a pilot measure for validation of professional qualifications of unemployed persons, as well as a pilot measure for professional qualifications in the field of transport and heavy goods vehicles, in accordance with the needs of the labor market.
The holder of the Operational Plan is the Ministry of Economy and Labour, and its implementation will be conducted by the Employment Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia in cooperation with the competent institutions and partners.
With the Operational Plan for 2026, the Government continues with active policies to encourage employment, support the domestic economy, and create conditions for sustainable economic development and a higher standard of living for the citizens.
