Skopje, 02.07.2025
The Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi, today presented the new internship measure, as part of the Operational Plan for Active Employment Measures for 2025. This measure directly invests in the knowledge, capacities and potential of young people up to 29 years of age.
"This is not just a plan on paper – this is a plan for the future. A plan in which every young person, every woman, every unemployed person gets a chance," said Minister Durmishi.
The aim of the measure is for 1.352 unemployed people up to 29 years of age, with at least a high school education, to acquire practical work skills and experience. A novelty is the introduction of virtual internships - online training for 40 people, adapted to modern working conditions. A monthly allowance of MKD12.000 is provided for all those involved, with insurance and personal tax paid, for duration of up to three months.
The measure is part of the broader Operational Plan for Employment, with which the Government has allocated a record EUR40 million for over 10.000 citizens. Through the measure for subsidized employment, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social businesses and civil society organizations are invited to create new jobs. So far, 1.133 applications have been received, for over 1.400 working positions.
The financial support amounts to:
- MKD250.000 for employing a young person up to 29 years of age;
- MKD220.000 for women, Roma, people with disabilities, long-term unemployed and social assistance beneficiaries;
- MKD160.000 for people over 29 years of age.
So far, 6.026 applications have been submitted through public calls for active measures. Some of the most requested measures are:
- up to EUR7.000 for starting a business for people over 29 years of age;
- up to EUR10.000 for young people under 29 years of age with an innovative idea;
- up to EUR20.000 for joint businesses of at least two people.
"The interest in the measures shows that citizens are not giving up. On the contrary – they are ready to take a step forward," the Minister said.
Additional emphasis was placed on Measure 3.1 – Training with a known employer, which represents a bridge between citizens looking for work and companies in need of staff. According to the Minister, this measure is one of the most successful forms of preparation for employment.
"Start something of your own, stay here, join a growing team. We will support you with knowledge, with funds, with real institutional support," Minister Durmishi told the young people.