FINAL REPORT - USAID Macedonia

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The five-year USAID/Macedonia Competitiveness Project (MCP) helped Macedonian companies and
sectors respond to the opportunities and challenges of the global market with targeted interventions in
market development, access to finance, workforce development, and innovation. Although the Project
took place during the global economic crisis and its tepid recovery, MCP achieved remarkable outcomes,
meeting or exceeding nearly all of its performance indicators. Key results:
� $145.7 million in new investment (domestic and international) through the Financial Platform and
foreign investment facilitation
� $88.6 million in new exports through market linkage activities and facilitating investments in
upgrades in facilities, products, technology and working capital
� 3,321 new job placements as a result of new investments, market opportunities, industry-led training,
and MyCareer job placement support
� 2,615 internship placements through the MyCareer initiative
In addition, the project made sustained and transformative impacts on the Macedonian economy and the
ecosystem of services to help companies become more competitive, including:
� Financial Platform—Developed a market for the commercial delivery of financial and business
advisory services while facilitating $78.8 million in new financing and $118.2 million in new
investment. The model has been adopted by other USAID projects in Eastern Europe, Africa and
Latin America.
� Innovative financial solutions—Facilitated financial services to address gaps in access to finance,
such as start-up finance (Business Angel Network, Innovation Finance Vehicle), equity finance, and
working capital (e.g. factoring, leasing). Demonstrating their value to both firms and financial
intermediaries will expand future use, generating new finance to drive growth and competitiveness.
� MyCareer—Changed the dynamic between students/job-seekers, educational institutions, and
employers by introducing and institutionalizing internships and career development, while
facilitating career development training for nearly 4,000 students. The initiative is now a legacy NGO
providing internship placement and training services on a commercial basis, while career
development activities are championed by the new Association of Career Counselors (ASK).
� Industry-led education—Facilitated training and employment of 85 students and jobseekers while
showing how collaboration between the private sector and vocational/technical training providers
improves students’ employability while enhancing enterprise competitiveness.
� Competency-based certification—Trained and certified 116 professionals in globally recognized
certifications such as Certified Management Consultants (CMC), Project Management Professional
(PMP), and Global Certified Career Facilitator (GCDF), resulting in sustained improvements in the
quality of locally available services. These certifications can now be facilitated by local organizations
(e.g. MCA 2000, MyCareer and ASK, respectively).
� Market linkage capacity—Built the capacity of local associations like the Textile Trade Association
(TTA) to develop relationships with European buyers and organize buyer visits, and helped
individual companies improve market research and trade show preparation capacity.
� Modern Practices and technologies—Assisted at least 75 firms to adopt modern management
practices and/or technologies. As these improvements boost performance, their “champions” will
serve as role models, creating a ripple effect.
These sustained outcomes will be reinforced by MCP’s partnerships with local counterparts, including
local experts and consulting firms, industry associations, NGOs, educational and vocational institutions,
financial institutions, government agencies, and of course, individual companies. The experience and
capacity building gained through working with MCP has enabled many project counterparts to continue
project activities—in either name or principle—beyond the scope of project activities.
3