Project duration: June 2020 – September 2021 Project implementer: MASIT ICT Chamber of commerce Project partners: STIKK – Kosovo IT association and ICT Network  Funded by: USAID ’s Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project Supported sectors: agriculture, apparel and textiles, wood processing and tourism Countries: North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo Goal of the project: The main goal of this project is to support SMEs from the targeted value chains (fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, apparel and textiles, wood processing and tourism) from North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia in their activities to (1) better understand and get familiar with the benefits of the digital transformation; (2) analyze their current level of digital transformation and create Digital Transformation Strategies identifying and prioritizing needed IT solutions; and (3) financially support them in the process of purchasing and implementing IT solutions in order to improve their business activities. Main project activities benefits of digital transformation through newsletters, brochures, and events Support companies from supported sectors in creating Digital transformation strategies Support companies from supported sectors in purchasing and implementing ICT solutions (50% or up to 3000 USD support) Interested in project activities? Register to our contacts database to receive more information about the project calls and information. Download PDF

Due to the enormous importance that the ICT industry has on the entire economy, and the importance of digital transformation in general for the development of the overall economy, MASIT – the Information and Communication Technologies Chamber of Commerce, aims to support digital transformation and development of small and medium enterprises within this the project and will implement activities to create an online tool for self-assessment of digital transformation needs, as well as providing expert analysis of digital and small and medium enterprises. The project is supported by the Ministry of Economy under the Competitiveness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program for 2019 and in accordance with the Public Call for Support and Development of the Cluster Association in the Republic of North Macedonia for 2019. The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises is of great importance not only for the enterprises themselves but also for the development of the economic, social and general situation in the country. Digital transformation completely changes the way business operates and is a necessary process especially for SMEs, which will contribute to the development and offering of better and more innovative products on the market. Completing the process of digital transformation in companies reduces costs and makes companies more efficient and effective, all of which results in increased competitiveness not only on the national market but beyond. The opportunities offered by the digital transformation process are endless, especially for SMEs coming from vertical sectors (tourism, agriculture, textile, automotive, waste management, renewable energy, etc.) that have the greatest potential and benefit from the introduction of digital processes and systems into operation, as well as the creation of new digital services and products for clients. Within this project, MASIT will conduct activities to create an online self-assessment tool and provide expert analysis on digital transformation in SMEs, from December 2019 to March 2020.   PROJECT OBJECTIVES Overall Objective of the Project: To help small and medium-sized companies with an interest and need to introduce digital transformation in their work to check the needs and potential of digital transformation, as well as receive expert assistance in designing a digital transformation strategy. Specific Objective of the Project: Providing a free online tool that will enable companies to self-assess the level of digital transformation they are currently in, as well as the potential level of digital transformation they can achieve; and providing vouchers for conducting expert analysis to define the priority areas for digital transformation of a company’s operations on the basis of which companies can create a digital transformation strategy.

Partnership for Better Business Regulation is a project supported by USAID whose implementation began in 2016. The project is intended to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses in order to better tailor their operations in accordance with the legislation. The project activities are aimed at assisting businesses in the process of compliance with legal requirements and encourage them to take an active part in the policy making that concerns them. EPI CENTAR International, in partnership with the four Chambers of Commerce in North Macedonia – Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Union of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia, Chamber of Commerce of North-west Macedonia and Chamber of Commerce of Information and Communication Technologies (MASIT) – are the implementers of the project that will: Help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises improve legal compliance by organizing information sessions on regulatory change; Support the establishment of the Platform for Public-Private Dialogue between the Chambers and the State; Provide co-financing of services through the implementation of which companies will increase compliance with the regulation through Voucher scheme; Create a unique information and interactive internet space and result in better information flow; Promotes the Single National Registry of the Republic of Northern Macedonia (ENER) at events organized by the Project; Organize forums to facilitate dialogue with local and foreign experts on current business topics; Develops compliance checklists; Develop a variety of interactive brochures and guides; Improve the capacities of the chambers; Prepares annual business climate analysis that will enable monitoring of the success of state policies and recording of gaps in them; Support public-private dialogue by organizing workshops, focus groups and working groups with Project representatives and representatives of relevant state institutions; In the coming period, the project will continue to work on constructive solutions for better legal compliance of the companies and support of the mechanisms for public – private dialogue between all stakeholders. All project activities are implemented by EPI CENTAR International in cooperation with the four partners: Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Union of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia, Chamber of Commerce of North-west Macedonia and Chamber of Commerce of Information and Communication Technologies (MASIT). More info can be found at www.biznisregulativa.mk . Download PDF

Ideal-ist is an international ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) National Contact Point (NCP) network, supporting research and innovation within the EU Framework Programmes. The network includes more than 65 partners from EU Member States, Associated Countries, Eastern European Partner Countries (EEPC), Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC), and other countries throughout the world. https://youtu.be/zIdtz1yLKrE Ideal-ist offers:  Long-standing experience in EU Framework Programmes (Ideal-ist was established in 1996) Expertise in proposal writing and project management: A network of over 65 National Contact Points (NCPs) in the ICT theme support proposers. An international quality team to support proposers, e.g. to better focus proposals Ideal-ist information services: Newsletter, Work Programme information Brokerage events with pre-scheduled meetings Full proposal check events with experienced evaluators Pre-Proposal Check: A new tool to check proposal outlines Toolbox. A tool to support proposers during the whole application process from project idea to project completion and future planning Topic Tree. A tool that helps you to identify historical and future links to call topics and offers you background information provided by Ideal-ist and EC Participant Portal Ideal-ist services:  Ideal-ist supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, academia, research organisations, non-profit organisations, public administrations, and consultancies in Interpreting the ICT Work Programme of Horizon 2020 Submitting project ideas in line with the topics of Horizon 2020 Building partnerships More information can be found at the official project web page http://www.ideal-ist.eu/