A two-day Leadership Academy took place on November 9–10, 2026, marking the beginning of the practical implementation of activities under the “Project for Encouraging and Preparing Macedonian Companies for Market-Based Financing”. The project is being carried out by the Macedonian Stock Exchange, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and with financial support from the European Union. Its implementation has been entrusted to a consulting team from PwC North Macedonia and PwC Croatia.

A total of 24 companies applied to participate in the Project, of which 10 were selected following a selection process. The Project aims to help Macedonian companies better understand the financing opportunities offered by the capital market and strengthen their readiness to use these sources of financing to support their growth and development.

The Leadership Academy focused on key aspects of preparing companies for access to the capital market, including corporate governance, financial reporting, company valuation. regulatory requirements and investor relations. Through presentations and discussions with the PwC experts, the owners and managers of the participating companies had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of different market-based financing models and the steps involved in pursuing them.

In the next phase of the Project, individual meetings with consultants will take place, alongside an assessment of each selected company's readiness for market-based financing. Based on these assessments, tailored recommendations will be provided to guide each company through its further development and preparation for accessing the capital market.