The FYI-R workshop in North Macedonia, co-organised with the National Federation of Farmers (NFF), spotlighted the aspirations and challenges of rural youth regarding entrepreneurship. NFF’s extensive experience in empowering young farmers and promoting green entrepreneurship made it an ideal partner, offering mentorship, training, and inclusive facilitation aligned with FYI-R’s participatory approach.
Participants envisioned a future where entrepreneurship is normalised and accessible, especially in rural areas. They imagined running their own businesses or expanding family ventures in agriculture, food production, digital services, and sustainability.
Key to this vision is state support — simplified procedures, financial incentives, and strategic investments in education and innovation. Youth emphasised the importance of collaborative networks, such as cooperatives and youth clubs, and digital platforms for learning and business development.
They see themselves not just as economic actors but as agents of community revitalisation and social change. Looking ahead, participants hope for an entrepreneurial ecosystem that prioritises local products, supports youth-led enterprises, and positions North Macedonia as a hub for innovation.
They aspire to become national role models and contribute to inclusive development by choosing to stay and invest in their communities. However, several barriers persist: lack of startup capital, complex bureaucracy, limited mentorship, social discouragement, and unfair competition from larger firms.
Despite these challenges, youth highlighted entrepreneurship’s benefits—personal independence, flexible schedules, creative freedom, and long-term financial sustainability.
They also value the life skills it fosters, including leadership and financial literacy. To thrive, young entrepreneurs need targeted subsidies, simplified registration, localised training, digital access, and inclusion in policymaking. They called for regional hubs and co-working spaces tailored to rural innovators, alongside greater visibility of EU funding.
The workshop affirmed that rural youth are ready to lead — if given the tools, trust, and space to act.
Participants envisioned a future where entrepreneurship is normalised and accessible, especially in rural areas. They imagined running their own businesses or expanding family ventures in agriculture, food production, digital services, and sustainability.
Key to this vision is state support — simplified procedures, financial incentives, and strategic investments in education and innovation. Youth emphasised the importance of collaborative networks, such as cooperatives and youth clubs, and digital platforms for learning and business development.
They see themselves not just as economic actors but as agents of community revitalisation and social change. Looking ahead, participants hope for an entrepreneurial ecosystem that prioritises local products, supports youth-led enterprises, and positions North Macedonia as a hub for innovation.
They aspire to become national role models and contribute to inclusive development by choosing to stay and invest in their communities. However, several barriers persist: lack of startup capital, complex bureaucracy, limited mentorship, social discouragement, and unfair competition from larger firms.
Despite these challenges, youth highlighted entrepreneurship’s benefits—personal independence, flexible schedules, creative freedom, and long-term financial sustainability.
They also value the life skills it fosters, including leadership and financial literacy. To thrive, young entrepreneurs need targeted subsidies, simplified registration, localised training, digital access, and inclusion in policymaking. They called for regional hubs and co-working spaces tailored to rural innovators, alongside greater visibility of EU funding.
The workshop affirmed that rural youth are ready to lead — if given the tools, trust, and space to act.
