Unleashing the potential of freelancing

This case study is part of RECONOMY's inception phase in North Macedonia focused on improving the market for freelancers, and their skills.

Freelancing has increasingly become a viable option for many people in the Western Balkans. However, there have been a number of challenges surrounding the unregulated digital marketplace in the region - a lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits and how it works for freelancers, a lack of security, a non-favourable regulatory and institutional environment etc.

RECONOMY facilitated the design and implementation of a pilot intervention in North Macedonia. The intervention aimed to improve the skills of women and young people, including the most disadvantaged and excluded, to engage in effective online work through tailor-made training and mentorship programmes from experienced freelancers.

Intervention description

The intervention, called Vibrant service sector for better economic opportunities (self-employment through freelancing) in North Macedonia aimed to improve the skills of women and young people, including the most disadvantaged, to engage in effective online work.

Specific activities included developing and delivering training modules such as 3D Clothing Design, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, and How to Become a Freelancer. A total of 597 people enrolled in these courses, with 537 completing them, including 373 women, 164 men, and 130 minorities. Additionally, 205 individuals started their careers as freelancers after completing the training, 124 of whom were women. The intervention also included a mentorship program completed by 84 mentees, 54 of whom were women.

The programme partners responded positively, with a significant number of trainees moving on to freelancing careers.

This programme’s results measurement system underwent a pre-audit review using the DCED Standard.