Skopje, 26 February 2026 (MIA) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has marked the successful completion of two workforce development projects supporting North Macedonia’s just energy transition, with a final event and certification ceremony held in Bitola, according to the EBRD press release, as reported in full by MIA.

The projects were implemented in cooperation with the Government of North Macedonia and the state-owned power utility AD “Elektrani na Severna Makedonija” (ESM), and from part of the North Macedonia’s Just Energy Transition Investment Platform. They aim to support workers and communities affected by the transition away from coal by strengthening skills, improving employability and building resilience in the energy sector.

Across the two projects, more than 600 ESM employees have benefited from structured training programmes covering technical, managerial and soft skills, including productivity, energy management, leadership, communication, and solar installation. The initiatives were supported by the Japan Technical Cooperation Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies, through the EBRD.

Speaking at the event, EBRD Country Head for North Macedonia Fatih Turkmenoglu highlighted the importance of investing in people as the foundation of a successful energy transition and supporting the country by tackling population outflows through job creation. He noted that regions such as Bitola and Oslomej have played a central role in ensuring national energy security for decades, and that workers and communities must be supported as the energy system evolves.

“Technologies may change, but the success of any transition depends on people,” Mr Turkmenoglu said, congratulating participants who received certificates for completing the training programmes.

Alongside skills development, the EBRD is investing in North Macedonia’s renewable energy future, including the development of large‑scale photovoltaic plants on former coal mine sites in Oslomej and Bitola.

The EBRD also announced the launch of the $150k Women-led Coal Transition platform for North Macedonia which will support particularly women working in the energy sector and affected by the transition.

North Macedonia is an EBRD shareholder country and has committed to a full transition away from coal by 2030 under JETIP, aligning its national energy and climate planning with long-term climate objectives. The EBRD remains committed to supporting the country in building a competitive, sustainable and inclusive energy system that leaves no worker and no community behind.

Photo: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)