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1. Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

2. Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

Developing entrepreneurial skills through cultural activities

In recent years, the link between culture, creativity and entrepreneurship has strengthened in North Macedonia. The National Strategy for Development of Social Enterprises 2021–2027 aims to support social and cultural entrepreneurship as part of a broader economic and social development framework. 

Meanwhile, the creative sector has seen a surge in new platforms and events that combine culture, business and innovation. For example, in 2025 the festival Socialize 2025 was organised in Skopje as the first major national event dedicated to digital creativity and technology industries — bringing together digital companies, creative professionals, institutions and young people to exchange ideas and promote entrepreneurship in technology, design, media and marketing. 

Also in 2025, the Youth, Culture & Activism for Change Workshop, organised by the cultural NGO network and supported by regional cooperation programmes, targeted young creatives, activists and emerging cultural entrepreneurs. The workshop provided practical training in cultural entrepreneurship, arts management and activism — and served as a platform for collaboration, project development and networking across borders.

Another important space for creative entrepreneurship is the Creative Industries Expo 2024, an event showcasing designers, artists, start-ups, small businesses and cultural entrepreneurs — giving them visibility and connecting them with markets, partners, and new opportunities.

These developments show that cultural and creative entrepreneurship is no longer marginal — it is becoming part of a broader industry ecosystem, supported by policies, events and public-private collaboration. At the same time, more opportunities exist for young people to develop entrepreneurial skills through culture, enter creative industries, and combine their talents with innovation and social impact.

Support young entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s 2025 funding calls demonstrate concrete institutional commitment to supporting creative-industry entrepreneurs: in March 2025, it opened a call for projects “of national interest” in culture, explicitly including support for creative industries (festivals, design, art production, fairs) and aimed at boosting the creative sector. 

Additionally, many young creatives and small cultural organisations now have the opportunity to gain funding under wider initiatives. For instance, the WB‑UK Creative Economy Sector Development Fund, active in 2025, supports creative-economy projects in Western Balkans including North Macedonia — giving grants to initiatives in design, visual arts, media, software, publishing, and cultural industries more broadly. 

Non-governmental cultural organisations, independent artists and youth associations often apply to these funds — combining cultural expression, entrepreneurship and social impact. The trend is growing: more cultural festivals, design events, art markets and creative-industry fairs are announced each year, many with support from the Ministry or international funding bodies.

The emerging ecosystem includes:

• small cultural businesses (design studios, production houses, event organisers);
• non-formal cultural collectives working on arts, music, heritage, media and social projects;
• collaborations between civil society, young creatives, and public institutions;
• greater access to international programmes and grants via frameworks like Creative Europe (through calls administered locally).
   

Overall, by combining public funding, regional cooperation funds, and youth-led initiative, the cultural and creative sectors are becoming a realistic opportunity for young entrepreneurs — not just as hobbyists or artists, but as active participants in a growing creative economy.