Wiesbaden, September 28th, 2026. A recent survey investigated the professional whereabouts of North Macedonian and Kosovar graduates, who participated in the fourth round of the “Career Transition Support North Macedonia” program in 2024/25, funded by North Rhine-Westphalia. The results of the survey indicate that the program is having an impact: one year after taking part in the program, the group of funded participants remains closely connected to their home country and the Balkan region. Since the program began in 2022, more than 200 candidates have been awarded funding. They received a grant to undertake a six-month internship, as well as in-depth training and seminars aimed at improving participants’ application, communication and entrepreneurial skills.

The survey, conducted in March 2026, targeted participants, who received funding from September 2024 to March 2025. Of the 50 recipients, 41 responded, yielding an 82% response rate. The non-anonymous survey featured ten partially open-ended questions and was distributed via email with a link to an online questionnaire.

The following is a summary of the survey's main findings in relation to the project's objectives. It focuses on participants' professional status, regional ties, skill development, future career plans and the sectors in which the program has had an impact:

1. Regional ties: A strong connection to North Macedonia and the Balkan region persists with 97% of participants remaining in the area one year after the program ended and only one participant now working in the USA.

2. Professional status: 68% of participants successfully entered the job market and are currently employed.

3. Business sector: The survey suggests that the program predominantly benefits the private sector, with 58% of participants employed in private enterprises. A further 17% are employed in the public sector, while the remainder is working in local NGOs (5%). The program also encourages entrepreneurship, with 12% of participants starting their own businesses.

Grant recipients rated the program, particularly the seminars and training sessions, as very helpful and beneficial. The networking aspect of the program was also rated very positively by many participants:

- The most interesting highlight for me was a lecture on entrepreneurship, especially the part about networking.

- I appreciated connecting with people from different industries, learning and gaining experience.

Skopje, August 19th, 2026. State Secretary Christian Wiermer, representatives from North Rhine Westphalia, WUS and GIZ participated in a roundtable discussion in Skopje. The event was hosted by the WUS program Career Transition Support North Macedonia, which supports young graduates in their transition from university to professional life and enables several month internships in North Macedonian institutions, in collaboration with GIZ.

The delegation of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia, Representatives of Career Transition Support North Macedonia (WUS) and GIZ North Macedonia met former grant recipients and discussed the importance of practical work experience for young professionals from North Macedonia and Kosovo. Alumni shared how their internships strengthened their skills, broadened their career opportunities and helped them gain insight into national and European labour market. Experiences ranged from placements at the Wuppertal Institute in Germany to internships at the AHK North Macedonia.

The discussion also highlighted future oriented fields such as circular economy and sustainable development, supported through the NRW funded project University Dialogue on Circular Economy. Participants emphasised that returning home with new technologies, methods and professional networks creates tangible benefits for institutions in North Macedonia and Kosovo.

The event clearly demonstrated the strategic value of the WUS program Career Transition Support North Macedonia, which strengthens the link between higher education and the labour market, promotes in-country employment and deepens long term cooperation between NRW, North Macedonia and Kosovo.