The goal of the project is to assess how the free movement of (skilled) labor in the Open Balkan Initiative will affect the labor market in North Macedonia, and thus to encourage a reasoned debate and adjustment of policies to maximize benefits and minimize risks.

Specific objectives include:

• Generating knowledge about how the free movement of (skilled) labor included in the Open Balkan Initiative will affect the labor market in the country;
• Encouraging evidence-based public debate about the benefits and challenges of the issue;
• Contribution to economic policies related to the labor market and bilateral social security agreements, in the context of the implementation of the requirements of this Initiative.

Donor: Foundation Open Society Macedonia

Duration: September 2022 – September 2023