STRATEGIC CONCEPTS AND THEIR ROLE IN ACHIEVING INCLUSIVE GROWTH: ANALYSIS OF THE MACEDONIAN SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT

Abstract

Contemporary economies are increasingly faced with the challenge of ensuring growth that is not only sustainable but also inclusive growth that enables the equal participation of all social groups. In the Macedonian context, several strategic documents have been adopted aimed at developing human capital, promoting social entrepreneurship, and increasing the employment of vulnerable categories; however, their implementation remains fragmented and characterized by limited intersectoral coordination. This paper analyzes the role of strategic concepts in the process of achieving inclusive growth in the Republic of North Macedonia, through an evaluation of the degree of implementation of two key strategies: the National Strategy for the Development of Social Enterprises (2021–2027) and the Human Capital Strategy (2024–2030). Methodologically, the research is based on a content analysis of strategic documents and a scaled assessment of the implementation level of predefined priorities and measures, complemented by a comparative approach. The empirical findings indicate a low to moderate level of implementation of strategic measures, as well as significant disparities among different institutions and priorities. In particular, the existence of an “implementation gap”— the gap between strategic planning and its practical realization is highlighted, especially in areas requiring intersectoral coordination. The study concludes that the main challenge does not lie in the normative framework of the strategies, but rather in their implementation and institutional coordination. In this regard, a conceptual model is proposed, based on three pillars: integrated strategic coordination, a functional monitoring system, and results-oriented evaluation, aimed at improving the effectiveness of policies for inclusive growth.