Annex 1

ACTION PLAN
FOR IMPLEMENTING THE 2019-2023 STRATEGY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The Action Plan for implementing the 2019-2023 Strategy on Women Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Macedonia has been defined as per identified
priorities and objectives, and also based on planned objectives and activities in the same area by the European Union (as per the document: Strategic
Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019).
The implementation of identified midterm objectives of the 2019-2023 Strategy on Women Entrepreneurship Development in the Republic of
Macedonia requires interrelation of objectives, activities, responsibilities and indicators, which comprises the content of the Action Plan.

MEASURES, ACTIVITIES, BEARERS, KEY INSTITUTIONS, DEADLINES AND SUCCESS INDICATORS

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: CREATING ENABLING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT (BUSINESS CLIMATE) FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DEVELOPMENT

Measure 1. Coordination in the creation and implementation of WE development policies

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Establish a Cross-Sector Working Group, by bringing - Cross-Sector WG January 2019 -ME
together representatives of authorised institutions, established / -MLSP
enhanced with representatives from the civil society sector -MF
- Cross-sectoral liaison -MES
and coordinated by the Ministry of Economy; the latter
of various institutions, -ITDF
shall work to monitor and make interventions in the organisations and -APERM
creation of various government policies, so as to ensure nongovernmental -CET
harmonised approach in enhancing and strengthening the sector established. -CRM
entrepreneurial activity of women. -SSO
-BBRD
-ZELS
-Chambers
-Associations
1
2. Coordinate policies for enhancement and development of - Number of meetings Continuous / Cross-Sector
women entrepreneurship at national and local level, held (per annum) of WG
through continuous consultations and public dialogue with the Cross-Sector WG,
- Reports (two) drafted
all stakeholders, as well as regular reporting on the
and publicly presented
implementation of the Strategy measures, conducted by on the implementation
the Cross-Sector Working Group. of the Strategy’s
Action Plan.

4. Identify mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of - Mechanism in place Jan-Mar 2019 / Cross—Sector
the Strategy’s measures and activities and introduce a for monitoring the WG
reporting system. implementation of the
Strategy’s measures
and activities.

Measure 2. Analysing the legislation that has impact on the entrepreneurial activity of women

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Develop analysis of legal norms that have impact on the - Analysis developed, May-Nov 2019 Total: ME
entrepreneurial activity of women and identify with recommendations 600.000
administrative barriers they have been facing (workers’ on specific affirmative
measures that would Budget of RM
rights, ownership rights) and demand simplification of
encourage 300.000
regulatory frame, by using the principle Think Small First, entrepreneurial activity
the EU recommendations and the examples of good of women. Donors/IPA
practices. 300.000
2. Analyse the possibility of overcoming the problem of - Analysis developed, May-Nov 2019 Total: Cross-Sector
ensuring safeguards (mortgage) when obtaining a loan with a proposed 300.000 WG
solution.
Budget of RM
150.000
Donors/IPA
150.000

2
Measure 3. Creating a statistics for monitoring the entrepreneurial (business) activity of women

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Produce overview of available and necessary statistical - Overview produced, March 2019 / ME
data as per gender criteria in the fields of education, with proposed -SSO
science, ownership of enterprises/crafts, management recommendations for
harmonisation with
structure, territorial representation, financial reports by
EUROSTAT.
business entities and comparison of data with
EUROSTAT.

2. Develop methodology and introduce publicly available - Methodology 2019 / Cross-Sector

statistical database to monitor the entrepreneurial activity developed on WG
of women. monitoring the -SSO
economic activity of -CRM
women,
- Established and
publicly available
statistics on the
economic activity of
women.
3. Introduce gender criteria in the sources of information and - Gender criteria 2019 / Cross-Sector
official registers administered in various institutions, introduced in all forms WG
aiming at monitoring the economic activity of women (e.g. of information
Registers on subsidies, grants and other forms of financial dissemination.
and non-financial support)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: ENSURING SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Measure 1. Improving the access to favourable forms of financing

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Public awareness raising, especially of the financial - Increased financial Continuous / Cross-Sector
institutions, regarding the necessity of improving the support to women WG

3
 cooperation with the business sector and hence, entrepreneurs by 30% - Banks
improving the access to favourable forms of financing the through various forms - Associations
business ventures of women, by organising joint meetings of financial support to - Chambers
with financial institutions’ representatives and drawing their projects,
conclusions for the achievement of these goals. - Meetings organised
with financial
institutions.
2. Introduce guarantee scheme for credit-line programmes. - Adoption of a Law on 2019 / MF
Guarantee Fund, -ME
-MBPD
- Guarantee Fund 2021 Total:
established. 300.000.000
(Budget of RM/EU
Funds)
3. Introduce incentive criteria in the evaluation of - Number of subsidised January 2019 / -Cross-Sector
applications/projects submitted by women, which are women entrepreneurs WG
subsidised by state institutions. increased, - All institutions
- Number of innovation
projects.
4. Initiate the development of business angels, as well as - Co-financed projects of continuous Total: ME
promote this form of financing the entrepreneurial BA networks, 6.000.000 -Faculties
ventures. - Number of trainings, -BA networks
forums organised. Budget of RM -Associations
1.500.000 annually - Chambers
5. Encourage and promote micro-credit programmes based - Increased number of continuous / BBRD
on group guarantee model, especially for the business interested unemployed -ZELS
ventures in the rural areas of the country. women, especially from -Associations
rural areas, who use -Chambers
financial self-
employment
programmes.
6. Initiate introduction of programmes for promotion of new - Number of forums, 2019-2023 / -ME
forms of financing business ventures (e.g. Crowd Funding, trainings held, -ITDF
franchising, factoring, etc.). -MBPD
- Number of franchises -APERM
owned by women.
7. Ensure co-financing for women entrepreneurs to attend - Number of women 2019-2023 Total: -ME
fairs in the country and abroad. entrepreneurs who 12.000.000 -FIEPA
4
 attended fairs.
Budget of RM
3.000.000 annually
8. Encourage and provide support in applying for and using - Increased number of continuous Total: -ME
funds from EU and other programmes and financial women beneficiaries of 10.000.000 -ITDF
instruments. EU sources of support -APERM
and financing, Budget of RM
- Number and amount of 2.000.000 annually
approved/ funded
projects.

Measure 2. Transition from social assistance to self-employment

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Ensure wide information dissemination on the Self- - Reduced number of continuous / -MLSP
Employment Programme via all institutions supporting the women beneficiaries of -EARM
entrepreneurship development. social assistance.
2. Relate the use of training programmes with the business - Increased number of continuous / -EARM/MLSP
start-up programmes. self-employed women. -APERM
-ITDF

Measure 3. Transition from self-employment to employer

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Ensure wider information dissemination on programmes - Increased number of continuous / -ME
for financial support to women entrepreneurship through applications, -MLSP
the institutions supporting entrepreneurship development. -CVPGRM
- Number of -ITDF
entrepreneurs with -APERM
enhanced growth of
business activities.
2. Seminars on enhancing financial literacy of women - High number of 2020-2023 Total: -ME
5
 entrepreneurs. seminars/trainings 800.000 -MF
held, number of -APPRM
participants. Budget of RM -ITDF
200.000 annually
3. Develop specialised training qualification programmes for - Increased number of 2020-2023 Total: -ME
management of fast-growing business ventures. entrepreneurs with 800.000 -APERM
growth in their business -ITDF
activities, Budget of RM -EARM
(2020) - 100.000
- High number of (2021) - 200.000
seminars/trainings (2022) - 200.000
held, number of (2023) - 300.000
participants.
4. Develop specialised training programmes for franchise - Increased number of 2019 Total: ME
operation. franchises owned by 200.000
women,
Budget of RM
- Number of women who 200.000
became franchise
providers through their
business ventures.
5. Develop voucher system for usage of various services. - Number of vouchers 2020-2023 Total: -ME
released. 4.000.000 -APERM

Budget of RM
1.000.000 annually

Measure 4. Acquiring necessary knowledge and skills

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Develop web seminars and web advisory services by - Online platform created 2019 Total: - Associations
creating an online platform. for web seminars and 1.500.000 - Chambers
web advisory services.
Donors
1.500.000
2. Ensure mentorship provided by experienced business - Increased number of 2019-2023 Total: -APERM
6
 women for women beginners and women entrepreneurs female mentors, 1.200.000 - Associations
who would like to grow, as well as for women - Increased number of - Chambers
entrepreneurs in the technological intensive business women users of Donors
ventures and the export-oriented women entrepreneurs. mentoring services 1.200.000

Measure 5. Enhanced presence of women in policymaking related to entrepreneurship development

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Enhance the participation of women in drafting policies - Higher representation continuous / Cross-Sector
that have impact on the inclusion of women in the of women in drafting WG
entrepreneurial activity and their active participation in the policies in the public-
private dialogue and in
public-private dialogue.
the public consultation
procedures in adoption
of regulations.

2. Encourage the inclusion of women in networks and - Increased number of continuous / Associations,
support the initiatives for development of regional and women who joined Chambers
local network enterprises, liaise with existing institutions, networks, chambers,
which, under mandate, assume a network (chamber associations...)
system, associations of employers, cooperatives).

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: CREATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Measure 1. Development of new/contemporary education and training programmes on entrepreneurship, with special focus on women
entrepreneurs

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Develop education programmes particularly for women - Education programmes 2019-2023 Total: -ME
beginners, by means of identified learning results and developed for beginner 3.000.000 -EARM
defining criteria on evaluating achieved results. women entrepreneurs. -APERM

7
 Budget of RM
600.000 annually
2. Develop education programmes especially for women - Education programmes 2019-2023 Total: -ME
entrepreneurs, designed for growth, export and for growth-oriented 1.500.000 -ITDF
technologically intensive business ventures, and by women entrepreneurs. -APERM
Budget of RM
means of identified learning outputs.
300.000 annually
3. Promote and ensure education and advisory programme - Education and advisory 2019-2023 Total: -ME
for women entrepreneurs who would like to use franchise programme developed 1.500.000 -ITDF
as a business model, either as recipients, or providers. for use of programme -MBDP
on how to utilise the Budget of RM
franchise as a business 300.000 annually
model.
4. Develop education programmes on managing family - Education programme 2020-2023 Total: -ME
enterprises, with special accent on the problem of developed on 1.000.000 -ITDF
generation-to-generation transfer of management and managing family -APERM
enterprises. Budget of RM
ownership.
250.000 annually
5. Develop voucher system for cooperation with experts on - Number of vouchers 2020-2023 Total: -ITDF
transfer of knowledge, research and development of released. 12.000.000 -APERM
entrepreneurial ventures of women. -ME
Budget of RM
3.000.000 annually
6. Develop a programme for inclusion of women in social - Number of social 2019-2023 / -MLSP
entrepreneurship, as innovative model of solving present enterprises -EARM
social and environment challenges and reinforcement of established, owned and -Associations
managed by women. -Chambers
the inclusive growth.

Measure 2. Strengthening the capacities for provision of training and advisory services to women

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Build a capacity for provision of training and advisory Institutional and Partner- 2020-2023 Total: -ME
800.000 -Associations
8
 services to women, from beginners to developed Oriented Infrastructure -Chambers
business, in terms of growing business ventures. developed, ready to Budget of RM -EARM
provide education and 200.000 annually -APERM
training services on
women
entrepreneurship.
2. Organise seminars and initiate and support projects for - Number of seminars 2020-2022 Total: ME
identification and enhancement of experienced women organised, 3.000.000
entrepreneurs, who are willing to deliver mentorship. - Number of mentors
trained. Donor
3.000.000
3. Establishment of a Help Desk Centre, with advisory - Help Desk Centre 2020-2023 Total: -ME
function, for the necessary activities, legislation, established, 4.000.000 - Associations
documentation, subsidies and other forms of support, - Number of registered -Cross-Sector
which are related to business management. users of the services of Budget/RM WG
the Help Desk Centre. 1.000.000 annually

Measure 3. Ensuring the capacity for usage of incubators, accelerators and technology parks by women entrepreneurs

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Promote incubators, accelerators and technology parks in - - Higher participation of continuous / -MES
education and secondary school programmes, to women entrepreneurs -ITDF
familiarise potential women entrepreneurs with the in the utilisation of the -ME
possibilities those offer when running own businesses. capacities of the -Associations
incubators/accelerators -Chambers
and technology parks.

Measure 4. Cooperation with the local government in integrating the women entrepreneurship development in the local/regional
development programmes

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)

9
1. Improve the cooperation with the local self-government - Women Continuous / -ZELS
units and agencies, so that women entrepreneurship is entrepreneurship -MLSG
integrated in their development strategies. integrated in the
development strategies
of the municipalities.
2. Organised action of the national and local governments by - Commissions for Equal March 2019 / -MLSP?
establishing Commissions for Equal Opportunities within Opportunities -MLSG
the municipalities, which shall continuously monitor the established, which -Cross-Sector
activities performed by the municipalities, related to shall monitor the work WG
women entrepreneurship development and support. and the genuine
mainstreaming of WE
in the work of the
municipalities.

Measure 5. Cooperation with education institutions

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Establish continuous cooperation of women’s associations -Number of meetings Continuous / -MES,
with education institutions and training providers, with held, -BE
accent on gender equality development, especially of -Number of joint projects, -Associations,
gender equality in choosing vocational education, -Chambers
-Balance achieved in the
guidelines and career.
educational programmes
and gender equality
trainings.

Measure 6. Developing databases/Register of Women Entrepreneurs

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)

10
1. Develop good quality and updated databases (Register) Database/Register 2020 / CRM
on women entrepreneurs, with detailed information on developed on women
businesses – liabilities, current assets, possibility for entrepreneurs,
growth, liaison, export, and alike. containing necessary
information on their
mutual liaison, growth
and development.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4: PROMOTION, NETWORKING AND ADVOCACY

Measure 1. Communication activities and promotion of women entrepreneurship

Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Draft a plan for communication and promotion of WE and - Communication and February 2019 / Cross-Sector
the Strategy and results from its implementation, by Promotion Plan drafted. WG
organising conferences, gatherings and other forms of
promoting the Strategy at all levels.

2. Implement activities from the Plan for Communication and - Campaign conducted 2019-2023 Total: -ME
Promotion of Business Initiatives of Women – especially in on promotion of women 1.500.000 -Cross-Sector
activities that are not typical for women (at national and entrepreneurship. WG
Budget of RM
local level). -Associations
300.000 annually
3. Introduce annual awards for women - Annual award 2019-2023 Total: -ME
promoted and 2.000.000 -Cross-Sector
introduced. WG
Budget of RM
400.000 annually

Measure 2. Building the capacity of women’s business associations

11
 Financial
Ord. Responsible
Activities Implementation indicator Timeframe implications
No. institutions
(in MKD)
1. Strengthen networking and cooperation among - Projects supported for 2020-2023 Total: ME
entrepreneurs, especially at local level; cooperation with networking of women 1.200.000
other organisations (networking) and promote global associations.
trends. Budget of RM:
300.000 annually
2. Establish a platform of associations operating in the field - Platform of Women May 2019 Total: -Associations
of women entrepreneurship development, to connect and Entrepreneurship 500.000 -Chambers
instigate exchange of information on the activities they Associations
undertake, and inclusion in joint projects. established. Donor
500.000

BUDGET NEEDED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN

Total budget
Total budget
Strategic Priorities Measures needed per
(MKD)
measures (MKD)
1. Creation of enabling Measure 1. Coordination in the creation and implementation of policies on WE 0 900.000
business environment development
for women Measure 2. Analysing the legislation that has impact on the entrepreneurial activity of 900.000
entrepreneurship women
development Measure 3. Creation of statistics for monitoring the entrepreneurial (business) activity 0
of women
2. Ensuring system Measure 1. Improving the access to more favourable forms of financing 328.000.000* 336.500.000
support in the women
entrepreneurship Measure 2. Transition from social assistance to self-employment 0
development Measure 3. Transition from employment to employer 5.800.000
Measure 4. Acquiring necessary knowledge and skills 2.700.000
Measure 5. Enhanced presence of women in policymaking related to entrepreneurship 0
development
3. Creation of Measure 1. Development of new/contemporary education and training programmes on 19.000.000 26.800.000
infrastructure for entrepreneurship, with special focus on women entrepreneurs

12
support and Measure 2. Strengthening the capacities on provision of training and advisory services 7.800.000
development of WE to women
Measure 3. Ensuring the capacity for usage of incubators, accelerators and 0
technology parks by women entrepreneurs
Measure 4. Cooperation with the local self-government on integrating the women 0
entrepreneurship development in the local/regional development programmes
Measure 5. Cooperation with education institutions 0
Measure 6. Developing databases/register of women entrepreneurs 0
4. Promotion, Measure 1. Communication activities and promotion of women entrepreneurship 3.500.000 5.200.000
networking and
advocacy Measure 2. Building the capacity of women business associations 1.700.000
TOTAL 369.400.000

*Greatest part of necessary funds is planned to collect from EU funds and donors

TOTAL NECESSARY FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE BUDGET OF RM

AND BY EU FUNDS/DONORS (per years)

Necessary funds from the Budget of Funds to be provided from

Total necessary funds
Year RM EU Funds/Donors
(in MKD)
(in MKD) (in MKD)

2019 9.050.000 3.650.000 12.700.000

2020 13.450.000 4000.000 17.450.000

2021 13.550.000 301.000.000 314.550.000

2022 13.550.000 1.000.000 14.550.000

2023 9.150.000 1.000.000 10.150.000

TOTAL 58.750.000 310.650.000 369.400.000

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