O2 Challenge 2 in North Macedonia delays deadline to July 3

A government program is supporting micro, small and medium-sized North Macedonian firms in projects for climate change mitigation and the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases. The timeframe for applications in O2 Challenge 2 has been pushed back to July 3 and organizers scheduled an info session to be held on June 29.

The Fund for Innovations and Technology Development of North Macedonia said domestic micro, small and medium-sized businesses can apply for the O2 Challenge 2 – Action for Climate Positive Change by July 3, as the deadline has been extended.

Applicants are competing for an overall EUR 81,200 and the maximum individual grant is EUR 30,000. The fund expressed willingness to back research and development, testing, design, pilot lines development, services related to intellectual property and regulatory analysis with suggestions for amendment.

Virtual info session to be held on June 29

A virtual info session is scheduled to be held in English on June 29 via Zoom. Registered participants will get the link and code to attend.

Speakers include Nikica Mojsoska-Blazevski, Professor of Economics and CEO at Macedonia 2025, Dan Oryan, Ambassador of Israel and Director of the Balkan Countries Region at the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mihail Mateski, CEO and Partner at Greentech.

Special awards in O2 Challenge 2

Three of the selected teams get a study trip to Israel. One other will get the opportunity for an extended partnership agreement for future mentoring, consultations or other type of services during the project implementation. Macedonia 2025 is providing the award.

According to the public call, the fund also known as FITR is covering a maximum of 85% of the total project budget.

Prioritizing regional partnerships

The suggested areas for applicants are energy, industry, transportation, forestry, biodiversity, health, water resources, agriculture and disaster risk reduction.

Applicants with partners from elsewhere in the Western Balkans will have priority, according to the propositions. Participation is available for entities in North Macedonia and ventures on a domestic level or those involving Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo* or Albania.