TvinTek Konekt 2025 Communiqué: Advancing Innovation, Technology Transfer and Collaboration for a Resilient Ecosystem

Recognising the rapid evolution of technology, the TvinTek Konekt 2025 conference, held on 28 May 2025 in Skopje, brought together diverse stakeholders from North Macedonia’s innovation ecosystem, including academia, industry, government, civil society and research institutions. The event aimed at fostering dialogue, sharing practical insights and addressing key challenges in advancing sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in dynamic World Café discussions and panels, focused on themes such as digital transformation, circular economy, innovation culture and technology transfer. These discussions underscored the country’s ambitious goals and momentum towards a greener, more innovative future.

A recurring theme across discussions was the need to establish lasting mechanisms that bridge the gap between research, business and policy, thus creating an ecosystem that is both resilient and future-ready. This demands not just technological progress, but shared leadership, strategic alignment and investment in human and institutional capacity.

This communiqué outlines the conclusions and recommendations which emphasise the need for strategic coordination and collective action to strengthen the country’s resilience and innovation capacity.

The participants acknowledged that:

1. Human capital remains a core strength particularly within academic and technical institutions, but existing talent is often underutilised due to weak linkages between research, industry and policy makers.
2. Promising initiatives are emerging across digitalisation, the circular economy and innovation, but many remain isolated, short-term or overly reliant on individual leadership, rather than embedded in coordinated, long-term strategies.
3. Entrepreneurial creativity and drive are present, yet access to finance, support mechanisms and limited market demand for innovation continue to constrain the growth of start-ups and early-stage ventures.
4. Policy frameworks exist, but are frequently undercut by a lack of implementation mechanisms, coordination and monitoring, resulting in a disconnect between strategic vision and actual impact.
5. Technology transfer is gaining traction, but this remains an emerging area requiring stronger infrastructure, trust-building and sustained cross-sector collaboration.

Check a detailed report below: