A closed session held for the beneficiaries of the Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program took place during the Macedonia2025 Summit in Skopje, bringing together program participants.
The session focused on the long term impact and continued development of the Bitove Family Entrepreneurship Program. It brought together the program founders, Mr. John and Jordan Bitove, Canadian Ambassador to Macedonia H.E. Michelle Cameron, and participating entrepreneurs for an open and forward looking exchange on the evolving business landscape in Macedonia.
In their opening remarks, John and Jordan Bitove reflected on the vision behind the initiative, a commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening entrepreneurial capacity, and supporting the emergence of a new generation of globally competitive business leaders in the country.
Ambassador Cameron reaffirmed Canada’s continued support for economic development in the region, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as the Catalyste Plus program in connecting Canadian expertise with Macedonian enterprises and strengthening cross border collaboration.
The session concluded with an open dialogue with program participants, who shared their experiences, challenges, and progress to date. The discussion was marked by openness and practical insights, underscoring the program’s core purpose, creating meaningful real world impact through mentorship, collaboration, and sustained support for entrepreneurs.
With business presentations before a jury of Macedonian business leaders and a certificate ceremony attended by H.E. Ambassador Michelle Cameron of Canada, the LEADER Project – Business and Entrepreneurship Development Training has successfully concluded. The program is organized by Macedonia2025 in partnership with the renowned Ivey Business School at Western University, Canada, and is designed for young professionals, future managers, and entrepreneurs from across the country.
Over the course of two intensive weeks, participants worked on key areas of business, including strategy, financial management, marketing, product development, human resources, and leadership. The training was delivered through real-world case studies, simulations, and practical assignments grounded in the Ivey methodology, and was complemented by individual mentoring sessions with experienced Canadian instructors. The program also featured guest lectures by prominent Macedonian business leaders, who shared their experiences and professional insights.
A key moment of the program was the Pitch Competition Day, when participants presented their business ideas before a five-member jury of Macedonian business leaders. The presentations were evaluated based on innovation, sustainability, and market potential, giving participants the opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a real and competitive business environment.
At the closing ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Michelle Cameron of Canada addressed the participants and personally presented the certificates of completion, highlighting the international significance of the program and its role in developing future leaders and entrepreneurs.
Through this initiative, Macedonia2025 remains committed to developing future leaders and entrepreneurs who will contribute to economic growth and innovation in the country. A special thank you goes to all participants for their dedication, to the jury members for their time and expertise, and to the instructors and mentors for their support throughout the program.
On April 14, 2026, the 18th edition of the LEADER Project officially commenced, an intensive Mini MBA program designed for young professionals, aspiring managers, and entrepreneurs from across Macedonia. The program is organized by Macedonia2025 in partnership with the renowned Ivey Business School in Canada, with support from Croatia Osiguruvanje.
Participants from across the country will once again have the opportunity to take part in a two-week intensive training program based on the MBA approach of Ivey Business School and tailored to address the real challenges faced by startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and future leaders in the corporate sector.
The curriculum covers key business disciplines including strategy, marketing, finance, human resources management, product development, business planning, and leadership. The program is delivered through case studies, interactive simulations, and hands-on exercises, complemented by individual mentoring sessions with instructors from Canada.
“The LEADER Project demonstrates our commitment to developing a new generation of young leaders who will contribute to Macedonia’s economic growth and innovation. Investing in knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills is essential for building a more competitive and sustainable economy,” said Nikica Mojsoska Blazhevski, Chief Executive Officer of Macedonia2025.
The program is further enriched by guest lectures from distinguished Macedonian business leaders, who will share practical experience and insights into current market trends. The training will conclude with presentations of business ideas before a panel composed of representatives from the business community.
On May 15, 2026, the Zafirovski Executive Education Program continued one of its most meaningful traditions: the annual meeting between Mike Zafirovski, patron of the program, and the Zafirovski Fellows.
The gathering brought together around 50 Fellows, joining both in person and online, for an inspiring exchange focused on leadership, executive education, personal growth, and the importance of giving back. More than a program activity, the meeting represents the long-term vision behind the Zafirovski Executive Education Program – to invest in exceptional leaders who have the potential to strengthen companies, inspire organizations, and contribute to a more competitive Macedonian economy.
A particularly important milestone was reached by the end of 2025, when the program counted 51 Zafirovski Fellows. This marks more than half of the long-term goal to support the development of 100 executives in Macedonia. Each Fellow represents part of a growing leadership community that brings new perspectives, stronger management practices, and a commitment to excellence into the Macedonian business environment.
The annual meeting with Mike Zafirovski provides an important moment for reflection, connection, and renewed motivation. It allows the Fellows to engage directly with the vision behind the program, exchange experiences, and reflect on how the knowledge and networks gained through the program can be applied in their organizations and beyond.
This achievement would not be possible without the lasting commitment of The Zafirovski Family Foundation. Macedonia2025 expresses its sincere gratitude to Robin and Mike Zafirovski for their continued belief in the power of leadership, education, and giving back. Their support has enabled the program to grow into one of Macedonia2025’s most impactful executive education initiatives, helping develop leaders who are prepared to respond to complex business challenges and contribute to long-term economic progress.
Macedonia2025 also extends a special thank you to Triglav Osiguruvanje AD Skopje for generously hosting this meaningful gathering and providing a welcoming and professional setting for the Zafirovski Fellows community.
Through the Zafirovski Executive Education Program, Macedonia2025 remains committed to investing in leadership development, strengthening executive capacity, and supporting the creation of a more dynamic, competitive, and future-ready Macedonian economy.
For her outstanding contribution to leadership, financial literacy, women’s empowerment, philanthropy, and the promotion of Macedonian identity in the diaspora.
Macedonia2025 is proud to recognize Elizabeth Naumovski from Canada, a distinguished business leader, media personality, philanthropist, and active member of the Macedonian diaspora. Born in Toronto as a first-generation Canadian to Macedonian parents with roots from the regions of Prilep and Bitola, Ms. Naumovski has remained deeply connected to Macedonia, its values, culture, and community throughout her life.
The Recognition was formally presented by the President of Macedonia, H.E. Prof. Dr. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, on May 11, 2026, at Villa Vodno in Skopje, during the official opening ceremony of the Macedonia2025 Summit 2026, dedicated to honoring the contributions of the Macedonian diaspora.
Through her long-standing professional and public engagement, Ms. Naumovski has made a significant contribution in the areas of leadership, financial literacy, women’s empowerment, cultural promotion, and social impact. As Vice President of Marketing at Caldwell Securities Ltd. and the creator, producer, and host of the national television program “Empowered. with Elizabeth Naumovski”, she has created a platform for important conversations on education, leadership, financial independence, health, resilience, and personal development.
One of her most meaningful contributions is her decades-long commitment to financial literacy, particularly among women, youth, and vulnerable communities. For more than 25 years, she has voluntarily invested her time, knowledge, and personal resources to help individuals and communities gain greater financial confidence, independence, and security.
Her social engagement also extends into philanthropy and the protection of vulnerable groups. She has developed multilingual educational campaigns focused on fraud prevention, helping protect immigrants and elderly individuals from financial scams. Through her humanitarian work and personal example, she demonstrates that giving back to the community can be both professional and deeply personal.
Ms. Naumovski is also committed to supporting future generations. She established an annual bursary at Mohawk College to support female students in STEM fields, helping reduce financial barriers and encouraging young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Her connection to Macedonia is strong, personal, and lasting. Through her engagement with organizations and associations of Macedonians in the diaspora, her support for Macedonian culture, and her media presence, Ms. Naumovski contributes to the promotion of Macedonian identity, values, and stories in Canada and beyond. For more than 15 years, she was part of the Macedonian Film Festival, supporting the promotion of Macedonian art, film, and cultural heritage abroad.
In her short but deeply emotional address at the ceremony, Elizabeth Naumovski highlighted the strong bond with her Macedonian heritage and the values she inherited from her parents: “I was raised by my Macedonian parents, who gave me all the values. They gave me the language. They gave me the oro. They gave me everything for which I am here and what I represent. When I hear the drum, my blood dances. That is Macedonia for me.”
She added that she has worked hard for decades to promote financial literacy and empower women, emphasizing that this Recognition is especially meaningful because it was presented to her by Macedonia’s first woman President, Prof. Dr. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. “I am Macedonian, and I always will be,” said Naumovski.
What makes Ms. Naumovski’s contribution especially meaningful is its authenticity, consistency, and human dimension. Her work is not only about professional success, but also about creating opportunities, empowering women, supporting young people, and building stronger, more informed, and more confident communities.
We proudly recognize Elizabeth Naumovski from Canada for her dedication, leadership, and inspiring contribution – values that reflect the mission of Macedonia2025 and the enduring strength of the Macedonian diaspora worldwide.
For his outstanding philanthropic engagement, dedication to youth development, and continuous contribution to strengthening the ties between Macedonia and its diaspora.
Macedonia2025 is proud to recognize Antonijo Trpevski from Sweden, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and dedicated member of the Macedonian diaspora. Born in Skopje and deeply connected to Macedonia through family, language, culture, and identity, Mr. Trpevski has spent most of his life in Sweden, where he has built a successful entrepreneurial career while remaining closely connected to his homeland.
The Recognition was formally presented by the President of Macedonia, H.E. Prof. Dr. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, on May 11, 2026, at Villa Vodno in Skopje, during the official opening ceremony of the Macedonia2025 Summit 2026 dedicated to honoring the contributions of the Macedonian diaspora.
Born in Skopje and deeply connected to Macedonia through family, language, culture, and identity, Antonijo Trpevski has spent most of his life in Sweden, where he has built a successful entrepreneurial career while remaining closely connected to his homeland. Coming from a family with a strong football tradition, his connection to Macedonia has always been nurtured through regular visits, community engagement, and a strong sense of belonging to the Macedonian identity.
As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Trpevski has consistently demonstrated that business success can and should be accompanied by social responsibility. Through his companies, foundation, and personal engagement, he has supported numerous initiatives in the fields of education, youth development, humanitarian work, sports, culture, and community building. His work reflects a long-term vision: to invest in people, empower young generations, and create sustainable bridges between Macedonia and the Macedonian diaspora.
One of his most significant contributions is his support for the implementation of the internationally recognized educational and motivational program Star for Life in Macedonia. Through this initiative, around 1,200 students have been directly reached, with an additional 400 students indirectly involved, alongside the participation of dozens of teachers and pedagogical staff. The program contributes to students’ confidence, motivation, leadership skills, and readiness to actively participate in society.
Mr. Trpevski’s contribution is also visible in the field of sports. As a long-standing supporter and main sponsor of KSD Macedonia in Malmö, he has helped strengthen a club that serves not only as a sports organization, but also as a symbol of Macedonian identity in Sweden. Through this support, he contributes to the development of young athletes, community cohesion, and the promotion of Macedonia through sport.
Beyond education and sports, Antonijo Trpevski has actively supported cultural and community initiatives that promote Macedonia internationally. In 2025, he organized a visit of Swedish businesspeople to Macedonia, bringing together prominent individuals from different sectors and creating opportunities for international cooperation. As part of this engagement, he also supported cultural exchange through the donation of a bronze bust of Nobel laureate Tomas Tranströmer, now placed in the House of the Miladinov Brothers in Struga.
What makes Mr. Trpevski’s contribution especially meaningful is its consistency and authenticity. His engagement is not limited to one-time support, but represents a long-standing commitment to giving back to the community. Through his example, he shows that members of the diaspora can play a powerful role in promoting Macedonia, supporting its people, and contributing to its development.
Macedonia2025 is honored to recognize Antonijo Trpevski for his dedication, generosity, and leadership. His work serves as an inspiring example of diaspora engagement rooted in identity, responsibility, and a sincere commitment to Macedonia’s future.
Skopje, May 8, 2026 – Macedonia2025 is pleased to announce the 15th edition of the Macedonia2025 Summit, taking place on May 12–13, 2026, at the Skopje Marriott Hotel. Under the theme “Beyond 2025: Accelerating Growth. Empowering Leadership.”, this year’s Summit will bring together senior representatives from government, international organizations, the diaspora, the business community, investors, academia, and regional leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on economic growth, competitiveness, innovation, leadership, and global connectivity.
The Macedonia2025 Summit continues to serve as one of the region’s leading platforms for exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and opening new opportunities for development. This year’s program will focus on some of the most important issues shaping the future of the country and the region, including accelerating economic growth, improving business competitiveness, strengthening the region’s investment attractiveness, infrastructure as a growth multiplier, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the role of the diaspora as strategic capital for Macedonia’s development.
The official opening of the Summit will take place on May 11 at the Cabinet of the President of Macedonia, H.E. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. The VIP reception will gather members of the Macedonia2025 Board of Directors, senior government representatives, Summit speakers, chambers of commerce, diplomats, partners, sponsors, and other invited guests. During the reception, recognitions for diaspora contribution to the development of Macedonia will be presented by the President and representatives of Macedonia2025.
The main Summit program will take place on May 12 and 13, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interviews with domestic, regional, and international leaders. The program will open with remarks from Macedonia2025 leadership, including Viktor Mizo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Macedonia2025, Mike Zafirovski, Co-Founder of Macedonia2025, and Prof. Dr. Nikica Mojsoska-Blazhevski, CEO of Macedonia2025. The first day will also include an interview with the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Prof. Dr. Hristijan Mickoski, as well as participation from senior government representatives, including Aleksandar Nikoloski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport.
This year’s speakers and participants include prominent names from business, finance, technology, law, media, sports medicine, diplomacy, and the diaspora, including Zhivko Mukaetov, Ana Drašković, Ognjen Lazić, Tom Klein, Sally YuanYuan Chin, Anthony T. O’Sullivan, Ana Arsov, Tamara Milovanović, Andrew Wrobel, Jordan Bitove, Ron Thomas, Christopher Hill, Dr. Tony Galea, Kati Iceva, Vojdan Karapetkovski, Tomas Lauko, Martin Märss, Jelena Begović, Val Jusufi, Tanja Mihajlovska Dimitrievska, and others.
The future of the economy and leadership will be at the center of this year’s sessions. The first day will explore what Macedonia and the region need to do to accelerate growth, how the region can move from potential to performance, why now is the right time for investment, how infrastructure can multiply growth, how innovation is built through cross-border cooperation, and what leadership means in a constantly changing global economy. The second day will focus on leadership in complex environments, the institutions of the future, digital competitiveness, artificial intelligence, industry transformation, the innovation potential of the Balkans, and the role of the diaspora in the country’s development.
The Summit will also provide important opportunities for direct networking and informal exchange among participants. The program will include Unwind Hour sessions, as well as a dedicated networking event on May 12, creating space for speakers, companies, investors, partners, diaspora representatives, and young professionals to connect in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Additional value for participants will be provided through Summit side events, open to registered participants, focusing on practical topics such as leadership, engagement, performance, and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and future professional skills.
With this ambitious program, the Macedonia2025 Summit will once again serve as a platform for creating partnerships, opening opportunities, and building a shared vision for the future.
“Our goal is to connect people, ideas, and institutions that can contribute to faster, more sustainable, and more competitive development of Macedonia and the region,” – Macedonia2025 Team.
