Prilep, 27 July 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Economy and Labour is requesting that the Government increase the budget allocated for supporting self-employment. The budget for small business support will be raised by around €2.5 million, Deputy Minister of Economy and Labour, Marjan Risteski said in Prilep.

The budget for self-employment projects will be boosted from €5 million to €7.5 million due to strong interest in the Employment Agency’s three calls for applications. The program, which includes 40 percent youth, is the most attractive measure in the broad operational employment plan. There are about 6,000 applications for the calls. Instead of supporting 1,750, the state will support 2,600 people who will start their own businesses, Risteski said. The Ministry of Economy and Labour will request additional funds at the next government session.

“Accordingly, as a Ministry, together with the Employment Agency, we have requested and expect the Government to reallocate funds at the next government session. We expect an additional Mden 300 million to be allocated for this most attractive measure, the self-employment measure. This would increase the number to 2,600 people who would start their own business, mostly young people up to 29 years old, but it will also include all active job seekers over 29. I would like to note that this measure will also be supported with an additional Mden 160 million secured through the budget rebalance. In total, these measures will be backed by an increased budget of over €7.5 million,” Risteski stated.

Regarding the consumer basket and its calculation, it will be on the agenda of the Economic and Social Council. The measures the Government will take depend on this. Risteski hopes that the Economic and Social Council will be convened by the end of next week.

“One of the discussions will be the inflation rate, protection of living standards, and the possibility of introducing new measures or not. We are monitoring the situation, and everything that will be decided will be agreed upon by all parties participating in the Economic and Social Council, meaning through a joint tripartite agreement,” Risteski said.

Photo: MIA