North Macedonia Joins the European Social Enterprise Monitor: Launch of the 2026 National Report

ARNO is proud to announce the publication of the first-ever Country Report as part of the European Social Enterprise Monitor (ESEM) 2026.

For the first time, North Macedonia has participated in this prestigious pan-European research project, led by Euclid Network with the support of the European Commission. The report provides the first internationally comparable dataset on the Macedonian social enterprise sector, offering a crucial baseline for policymakers, investors, and support organizations.

👉 [DOWNLOAD THE FULL ESEM 2026 NORTH MACEDONIA REPORT (PDF)]

The 2026 report is based on a survey of 53 social enterprises across the country, collected between April and August 2026. The findings paint a picture of a highly motivated, mission-driven sector that is currently constrained by a lack of dedicated financial and structural support.

Key Findings from the Report:

• A Young and Growing Sector: The sector has a median age of 5 years, with a notable surge in new establishments after the COVID-19 period (exactly 30 of the 53 surveyed enterprises were founded between 2021 and 2026).

• Mission-Driven but Undercapitalized: While 92.5% of enterprises are driven primarily by a social or environmental purpose, 40% reported no income in the last financial year, and 87.5% lack external certification.

• Top Impact Areas: Environmental impact (specifically the Circular Economy) and Inclusion (focusing on Youth and Women) are the top priorities for Macedonian social enterprises.

• Access to Finance is the Biggest Barrier: Over 60% of respondents cited a lack of access to finance as the most significant barrier to their growth, followed by limited public awareness.

• Low Perceived Political Support: On a scale of 0 to 100, political support for social entrepreneurship was rated extremely low at the national (10), regional (15), and municipal (10) levels.

• Employment and Optimism: The 53 surveyed enterprises provide 362 jobs (259 paid). Despite the challenges, 69.8% expect their income to increase in the coming year, showing strong entrepreneurial resilience.

A Milestone for the Ecosystem

“Participating in the ESEM for the first time is a major milestone for North Macedonia,” said the authors, Irina Janevska and Riste Kostovski from ARNO. “We are incredibly proud to deliver this comprehensive report through the dedicated voluntary efforts of our team. This research is a direct reflection of our ongoing commitment under the Invest for Change initiative to build a stronger, more investable social economy. The data gives us the exact evidence we need to shift our focus toward practical solutions: developing tailored financial instruments, improving market access, and building the capacity of these enterprises to become financially sustainable. We now have a clear picture of where the sector stands and how to support its growth.”

The full report includes detailed analysis on governance, business models, and policy recommendations. It is available for download now on the ARNO website.

The ESEM is a project led by Euclid Network with the support of the European Commission. This study is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.