Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
Get Updates
Get the latest news from IESC, delivered straight to your inbox.
North Macedonia’s entrepreneurial landscape is flourishing, driven by the support of IESC through its USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity. The program has become a catalyst for young entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on high-growth economic sectors. Since 2023, IESC has helped youth launch 42 new enterprises, with 60% of these founded by women.
In partnership with CEED Hub Skopje, IESC has implemented the Investment…
read moreYoung people in North Macedonia are struggling to secure positions in high-growth sectors. Because of this, IESC is implementing the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity to equip youth with skills so they can access in-demand jobs. A key component of these…
read moreThrough the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity and in partnership with the Youth Educational Forum, IESC has established 10 youth engagement clubs in North Macedonia. The clubs have empowered more than 200 young people to foster positive change and take impactful civic actions in their…
read moreIn June, an IT job fair held in Skopje, North Macedonia, proved to be a tangible success, thanks to support from the IESC-implemented USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity. Online education company Brainster organized the event to help bridge the gap between…
read moreTransitioning from a university lecture hall to a corporate environment is a road filled with challenges that youth must navigate. Young aspiring pharmacists in North Macedonia took a step forward on this journey with support from the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity.
In an innovative approach, students had an opportunity to engage directly with the private sector, stepping into the “hot seat” for simulated interviews with…
read moreRecently in Skopje, CEED Hub Skopje spearheaded the city’s inaugural Climathon (climate change hackathon). Hosted through the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity in North Macedonia, implemented by IESC in collaboration with CEED Hub Skopje and Youth Educational Forum, this initiative brought together over 50 young enthusiasts, startups, and students to collaboratively devise solutions for pressing local environmental…
read moreYouth Support and Community Engagement Opportunities
On November 13, 2023, in North Macedonia, IESC officially launched the Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity aims to empower the country’s youth, enhance their positive contributions to society, and foster collective youth leadership over the next five years.
During the youth centered event,…
read moreTowards a green future through youth innovation
The recent Green Solutions Hackathon in North Macedonia sparked a wave of innovative ideas, including the creation of organic fertilizers, an online marketplace for second-hand clothing, cutting-edge smart bins, a zero-waste approach to leather production, and the integration of AI in solar panel energy generation.
This dynamic event, hosted by SEEUTechPark and the 700 Accelerator in Tetovo,…
read moreDriving North Macedonia’s Economic Growth with a Skilled Workforce
North Macedonia’s university students are gaining valuable digital skills through an innovative training program hosted at the Inno Fab Lab – a specialized facility equipped with advanced technology and resources for digital fabrication and innovation. This initiative, supported by the USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity and implemented by IESC, focuses on…
Recipe for Success: Cooking Skills, Soft Skills, and an Entrepreneurial Mindset
With aprons on and utensils in hand, ten young aspiring chefs eagerly immersed themselves in the art of cooking during a five-day Master Culinary Training in North Macedonia. As aromatic spices wafted through the air, training participants sharpened their cooking skills and learned about food nutrients, organic growing practices, menu development, and the kitchen…