Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
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Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
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Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity
Active grant applications
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Prime Recipient Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) invites applications for the Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity Grants Program. IESC is issuing three Annual Program Statements (APS) for grant activities that accelerate and expand upon the Activity’s objectives to address youth priorities and increase youth economic opportunities, competencies, and youth civic engagement in North Macedonia.
North Macedonia Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity grants notice of funding opportunity – announcement and general information
Full applications should be submitted in electronic copy. All applications should reference the APS number and the grant technical description, namely Rapid Response Grant, Challenge Grant and/or Sustainable Growth Grant.
Electronic copies in Word and Excel format and signed copies of the originals in PDF format should be emailed to yacogrants@iesc.org.
Please note that the email cannot exceed the maximum size 25MB.
Virtual information sessions
IESC held virtual information sessions on May 20 and 22, 2024 to provide an overview of the application process and give interested applicants an opportunity to ask questions. For anyone who was unable to attend, the information session presentation and a recording of the session are now available.
Questions and answers
The deadline to submit questions has passed. Answers to questions received by the deadline are now available.
Approach
IESC and Macedonian partners Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED) Hub Skopje and Youth Educational Forum (YEF) prioritize a youth-centered local systems approach to jointly implement activities under three components.
Component 1: Partnerships created to support economic opportunities attractive to youth
The program creates and facilitates youth engagement opportunities with the private sector, collaborates with local authorities to strengthen youth programming, creates employment avenues for trained youth, supports green jobs, and bolsters youth entrepreneurship and social engagement.
Component 2: Youth competencies for jobs, progressive carriers, and civic life strengthened
The program supports youth access to specialized, innovative, and entrepreneurial skill building initiatives, and facilitates youth connections to career guidance and mentorship opportunities. The programs puts a specific emphasis on building youth skills and participation in policy reform, social entrepreneurship, and anti-corruption.
Component 3: Values and experience that underpin self-reliance promoted.
The program strengthens the capacities of youth groups, supports youth initiatives through grants, promotes research, community leadership, and service, and facilitates initiatives to change cultural values about corruption.
Updates
- Empowering youth to make positive change across North Macedonia
- A launchpad for IT careers in North Macedonia
- Youth at the forefront of climate action in North Macedonia
- Connecting aspiring pharmacists and companies through simulated interviews
- Key accomplishments in year one
- Climathon Skopje: catalyzing youth-led climate innovation
- IESC officially launches youth-focused initiative in North Macedonia
- Green Solutions Hackathon inspires 15 innovative eco-friendly projects
- Equipping Macedonian youth with digital skills
- Empowering aspiring chefs to thrive in North Macedonia’s culinary industry
- IESC’s newest program will increase youth’s positive contributions to society in North Macedonia
Awarded grants
Summary
The Republic of North Macedonia is undergoing fundamental socioeconomic changes that are opening doors for long-term economic development. In such a context, the need for youth-driven initiatives that facilitate youth integration into high-growth economic sectors is key. The five-year USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity, implemented by IESC, seeks to seize this window of opportunity and strengthen the Macedonian workforce development system and contribute to youth-led development.
Expected results
- Increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership across North Macedonia.
- Reach 10,000 youth to improve their awareness and understanding of social and economic opportunities in North Macedonia, helping them be more connected to their communities and have a positive vision for the future.
- Train 6,000 youth, with half of participants in youth leadership programs being women.
Program details
Funder: USAID
Project duration: 2023 to 2028
Award: $10 million
Partners: Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED) Hub Skopje and Youth Educational Forum (YEF)
Resources
- What we do (English) (Macedonian) (Albanian)
- Internships flyer
- Research: Youth career and skills aspirations (English) (Macedonian) (Albanian)
- Skills in action: Turning youth into professionals
- With youth, for youth: Positive youth development and USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities
- Access to finance tool
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