Brussels, 2 December 2025 (MIA) – The Macedonian Government is firmly committed to building a knowledge-based society, where science, innovation and human capital are the main drivers of development, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said in Brussels on Tuesday, noting that more than 80 percent of commitments within the 2024-2025 Action Plan of the Smart Specialisation Strategy have been implemented. 

Addressing a roundtable discussion "Smart Specialisation processes in the Western Balkans: key achievements and experiences" as part of a conference dedicated to smart specialisation strategies in the EU enlargement process, hosted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Janevska pointed out that the 2024-2025 Action Plan includes 35 measures and 63 activities with a budget of EUR 6.1 million, with the Ministry of Education and Science being involved in 31 activities.

Janevska said the Smart Specialisation Strategy defines four main priority segments: smart agriculture and food, information and communication technology, electromechanical industry, i.e. industry 4.0, and sustainable materials and smart buildings, supported by two horizontal areas for energy of the future and tourism, fully aligned with digital and green transition goals.

"The 2024-2025 Action Plan sets measures to strengthen scientific excellence, develop the innovation ecosystem, support competitiveness and business aimed at advanced human capital and accelerate digital transformation," said Janevska.

According to Janevska, implementation scheduled within the Plan was launched in 2024 and although its full impact will be visible in the coming years, the country is nevertheless experiencing significant progress and systematic transformation.

She mentioned as examples of several key achievements this year the adoption of the new law on innovative activities, scientific and technological development and entrepreneurship, the establishment of a National Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - INOVA, and finalizing the strategic laws on higher education and scientific research.

"In 2025, the Ministry of Education and Science increased the budget for scientific research by 50 percent compared to 2024. Half of this budget is now allocated to competitive research projects. This year, 45 research projects will be approved at state universities, 15 of which are directly related to the priority areas of the Smart Specialisation Strategy," Janevska said.

She also mentioned other state-funded projects to support innovation, technological development, green transformation of companies and economic growth of medium-sized enterprises.

"In North Macedonia, we are doing everything in our power to implement the strategy and to stimulate economic growth. Therefore, for me, cooperation with the JRC is a priority, as well as cooperation with the Commission and the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation," said Janevska.

The Minister noted that work is under way on the 2026-2027 Action Plan, adding that it will integrate the JRC's recommendations for strengthening financial sustainability, engaging the private sector, and improving the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

She pointed out that the country has excellent cooperation with the JRC, adding that the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Cooperation last year, and the Centre's laboratories have become available to Macedonian scholars and researchers. Janevska said a call on financial support for scholars will be announced next year in order to stimulate greater use of the laboratories.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and JRC Director General Bernard Magenhann delivered the opening remarks at the event. 

Photo: Ministry of Education and Science