Challenges in Enhancing the Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability seminar at Faculty of Economics, Skopje (USK)

On April 23, 2025, the Faculty of Economics – Skopje had the opportunity to host an engaging seminar focused on the future of the region’s entrepreneurial, innovation, and sustainability landscape. The seminar, titled “Challenges in Enhancing the Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Sustainability,” brought together participants from academia, industry, and civil society to explore shared challenges and exchange perspectives. The event was facilitated by Professor Aleksandra Janeska Iliev, who guided the discussion and contributed to the dynamic exchange of ideas aimed at fostering sustainable development and cross-sector collaboration.

The seminar featured insights from leading professionals:

• Stojan Debarliev, PhD, Director of the Yunus Center for Social Entrepreneurship, presented preliminary findings from research into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, laying the groundwork for further exploration.
• Maja Ravanska, Program Manager at Public and Editor-in-Chief of Face to Face, shared her experience with social entrepreneurship ventures and their impact.
• Gogo Rafajlovski, Operations Manager at Networker and angel investor at Zephyr Angels, addressed challenges related to the startup community, with a focus on financing and pitching new ideas.

Their contributions provided diverse perspectives on strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, highlighting both opportunities and systemic barriers. A lively discussion followed, with active audience participation underscoring the topic’s relevance and the speakers’ strong engagement.

Key takeaways from the seminar emphasized the need to foster a culture of innovation, support environmentally responsible technologies, promote regional leadership, and build lasting cross-sector partnerships for sustainable growth. The event marked a meaningful contribution toward shaping a more resilient and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.