The objective of the project is to conduct a comprehensive data analysis and write up the underlying report on Balkan Barometer 2021.
Client: Regional Cooperation Council
Partner: ACIT – Albania
Reaping export-oriented companies’ potential to contribute to post-Covid-19 recovery
The project aims to identify potentials of export oriented capacities including already existed foreign investors in the country to support economic recovery.
Specific objectives:
- To identify capacities to adapt and shift current production according to changed demand (new operation, components, complementary products, etc)
- To identify the potentials for regional re-positioning and utilization of global geographical allocation shifting and cost reduction strategy
- To identify potential for injections of capital that parent’s company will make to affiliated companies in the country (to shift operations from other geographical locations, or to modify current production, etc).
- To identify obstacles for export and growth
- To identify needs for economic measures that will maximize identified potentials
Duration: October 2020 – March 2021
Donor: British Embassy – Skopje
Promoting evidence and dialogue for enhancing state aid’s effect onto consumer welfare in North Macedonia
The objective of the action is to promote evidence and foster dialogue on the role of state aid for consumer welfare in North Macedonia.
The specific objectives of the action include:
- To understand existing forms of state aid in North Macedonia (direct subsidies, tax exemptions, discounted loans etc.) and their (mutual) consistency within the overall anti-trust legislation in the country;
- To produce robust evidence on whether state aid distorts competition on the market, with application on the paramount governmental program for subsidizing companies in North Macedonia and dwelling on the ‘market economy operator’ principle;
- To improve the dialogue among stakeholders, as well raise public awareness, on state aid, alignment with EU Acquis and consumer welfare.
By having achieved these objectives, the action will significantly contribute to enhancing the role of state aid for the market competition and efficiency, and hence onto consumer welfare.
Duration: February 2020 – February 2021
Donor: Balkan Trust for Democracy – Norwegian Embassy Belgrade
Common country analysis – economic and social trends
The aim of the project is to synthesize existing knowledge in the area of economic, social and development trends and policies in North Macedonia, identify the most lagging population groups in terms of a set of development indicators, identify short- and medium-term risks, as well as knowledge and data gaps, all in the context of sustainable development goals.
Provider: Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
Duration: November 2019 – March 2020
Institutional know-how transfer to support (swift?) Europeanization of North Macedonia
The objective of the project is to elevate Finance Think at a new international / European level of development to be able to secure streamlining of the European economic values and dynamics into the national economy, as well to be able to robustly engage with EU actors relevant in this domain.
Following project’s grand objective, the specific tasks are positioned around three pillars:
- Teaming up / twinning with relevant EU-based peers, as well approaching to relevant EU-level economic policy actors, so as to learn how a think tank may engage in the Europeanization processes in its own country, as well to lay grounds for future cooperation with Western peers in joint initiatives;
- Further strengthening of FT’s research capacity, by learning from EU-based peers and transposition of their best practices into internal regulations;
- Elevating FT’s communication and advocacy capacity to communicate at the international level.
Donor: Open Society Foundations – Berlin Office
Duration: November 2019 – November 2020
Sustainable economic growth through promotion of alternative touristic attractions
The main goal of the project is to improve local economic development by promoting developed alternative tourist attractions.
The indirect expected benefits include development of new local brands and unconventional tourist attractions for the regions that in the long term will strengthen regions as touristic destinations, attract more tourists, and thus increase revenues and promote local traditional values as a key to reducing poverty and to inclusive economic growth.
Donor: US Embassy
Period: September – December 2019