Category: Western Balkans
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RCF: Funding success for 2025, opportunities for 2026 for vocational training
The Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) enhances youth employability through partnerships between companies and educational institutions, providing funding for training programs. In 2025, six agro-industrial companies in Stip received support. The RCF promotes cooperative training, boosting enterprise competitiveness and innovation, with future calls expected for 2026. Applications are accepted from consortia…
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New Blockage of freight border crossings to Schengen area – or will the new EU visa strategy bring a solution?
Truck drivers may block border crossings to Schengen countries again due to issues with the new Entry/Exit System, which restricts their stay to 90 days. A new EU Visa Strategy aims to facilitate longer stays for trusted travellers and companies.
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EU and KfW expand €135 million alternative finance initiative for vulnerable businesses in the Western Balkans and partner regions
On January 29, 2026, a €135 million guarantee agreement was signed by the European Commission and KfW to enhance access to alternative finance for MSMEs in various regions. The initiative, supported by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, aims to assist underrepresented businesses through the SAFE fund, fostering investment…
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North Macedonia’s Agency for Innovation and Technological Development (INOVA) launches €25 million in grants to support the green transformation of companies
North Macedonia’s Agency for Innovation and Technological Development (INOVA) launched a EUR 25 million project to support the green transformation of companies in the 2026–2030 period. Grants ranging from EUR 5,000 to EUR 300,000 will be available for small, micro and medium-sized enterprises. The grant scheme amounts to EUR 25…
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Blockage of freight border crossings between the Balkans and Schengen countries announced for January 26th.
Truck drivers from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina plan to block all border crossings for freight to Schengen countries on January 26 due to issues with the new Entry/Exit System. This blockage may also impact Macedonian factories delivering goods to the Schengen area or the UK, although passenger traffic should…
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Belgium among the world’s 20 safest countries in 2025, North Macedonia 2nd in the Western Balkans
The Global Peace Index 2025 ranks Belgium 16th and North Macedonia 51st in peacefulness among 163 countries. The report highlights a significant decline in global peace due to increased conflict deaths, geopolitical tensions, and social fragmentation, marking a transformation in the global order reminiscent of the Cold War era.