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PRESS RELEASE - North Macedonia takes top prize at the European Training Foundation’s Green Skills Award 2025

Malaysia recognised for circular economy education as Türkiye and Spain place second and third overall

Turin, 30 January 2026 – North Macedonia’s “Best Business Concept for Green Innovation” won the ETF Green Skills Award 2025, the European Training Foundation announced today during the EU-Italy Energy Days organised by Politecnico di Torino. The initiative demonstrates how green entrepreneurship can turn education into practical solutions for environmental challenges, empowering young people to develop, test and scale ideas with real-world impact.

The project from North Macedonia ranked first among five finalists selected from more than 250 applications from over 50 countries worldwide. Türkiye and Spain placed second and third overall, while Tunisia and Kazakhstan were also shortlisted.

In a separate category, introduced in 2025 together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment and the European External Action Service, the ETF awarded the #ForOurPlanet Award for circular economy education to a student-led initiative from Malaysia, recognised for inclusive learning through insect-based waste valorisation.

Launched in 2021, the Green Skills Award promotes innovative practices supporting circular and carbon-neutral economies. Over five editions, it has received more than 1,350 applications from over 60 countries and generated over 57,000 public votes.

“The Green Skills Award confirms that skills for sustainability are a global priority,” said Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation. “The strong international response shows how education and training are increasingly seen as central to the green and energy transition. This year’s finalists demonstrated how skills can turn ambition into action, and how local initiatives can deliver solutions with wider relevance. Investing in green skills is also essential for competitiveness and preparedness, ensuring that the workforce can adapt to technological change and future shocks”.

Green Skills Award 2025 – Final ranking

#1 prize – North Macedonia. Best Business Concept for Green Innovation

This long-running national initiative engages secondary school and university students, together with their teachers, in developing practical solutions to environmental challenges through green entrepreneurship. Active for more than 18 years, it involves over 100 students and more than 50 teachers each year and generates more than 35 green business ideas annually. Supported by universities, vocational excellence centres and EU-funded programmes, it strengthens links between education and employment while enabling young people to develop, pitch and scale green innovations with real market potential.

#2 prize – Türkiye. Solar School Project (Antalya)

Led by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, funded by the EU and partners including Çanakkale University and the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), the project reaches out to young people aged 18–29 who are out of education system and the labour market, equips them with job-relevant renewable energy skills. It combines online learning with hands-on training at photovoltaic stations and tailored employment support, helping participants transition into the growing solar energy sector.

#3 prize – Spain. POWAR STEAM (Barcelona)

POWAR STEAM is an initiative which delivers hands-on, data-driven climate education through interactive STEAM tools, including environmental sensors and a climate simulator. Students measure environmental conditions, test hypotheses and explore climate scenarios, strengthening digital skills, critical thinking and sustainability literacy. The initiative also supports teachers with ready-to-use learning scenarios that turn climate science into applied learning.

Other shortlisted finalists

Kazakhstan – Mangystau Energy College renewable energy dual training programme.

The Mangystau Energy College is preparing a future workforce for clean energy through an accredited renewable energy specialisation delivered in a dual training format. The programme blends classroom learning, lab practice and industrial placements to build skills in installation, diagnostics, maintenance and automation of renewable systems. With strong links to regional employers, it helps align training with labour market needs, including opportunities for graduates to bring energy solutions to underserved rural communities.

Tunisia – CBS Training: green skills and entrepreneurship for rural women.

CBS Training has been empowering women in southern Tunisia through practical training, entrepreneurship support and sustainability learning that connects skills to livelihoods. By integrating green entrepreneurship and circular-economy awareness across programmes, it supports women to launch businesses, access employment and become community change agents. The initiative combines local outreach with mentoring and partnerships that strengthen both inclusion and scaling potential.

#ForOurPlanet Award winner: Malaysia

Introduced in 2025 by the ETF together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment and the European External Action Service, the #ForOurPlanet Award recognises excellence in circular economy education. The 2025 award was granted to a student-led initiative from Malaysia, implemented at Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu (SIKK). The project uses black soldier fly bioconversion to transform food waste into compost and animal feed, combining hands-on science education, behaviour change and inclusive climate learning.

Green Skills Award 2026: new call launched!

The Green Skills Award 2026 call for applications was officially launched today. Applications can be submitted via an online platform in English, with submissions in other languages accepted and translated for assessment. Initiatives are evaluated by independent experts based on impact, originality, scalability and inclusion.

About the ETF Green Skills Award

Launched in 2021, the ETF Green Skills Award is a global initiative that highlights innovative practices in green skills development led by individuals and institutions. It serves as a source of ideas and inspiration, promoting good practices for circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.

Past winners:

A full list of past finalists is available from a wide range of countries, including Albania (City of my Dreams; Shipmentt), Armenia (TUMO Labs), Azerbaijan (Inkoel), Belarus (Volma), Belgium (with France: Label Emmaüs), Croatia (with Armenia and Türkiye: The Green Changemakers), Cyprus (Yenesis project), Georgia (Agriculture education in school; Sustainable Development Academy K4S;  Construct2), India (PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education; Carbon Addons; Schneider Electric), Ireland (Fifty Shades Greener; SOLAS), Italy (Atelier Riforma), Jordan (Creating Green Land), Kazakhstan (AUPET), Kenya (Don Bosco Tech Africa; E-waste management), Latvia (Hemp School), Lebanon (Zero Waste project), Madagascar (Don Bosco TVET), Malaysia (Green Putrajaya), Moldova (Training the Green Trainers), Morocco (with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI), Netherlands (21CC Education; Blue Hotspot Dordrecht; with Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, and Spain: European Platform Urban Greening); Nigeria (Operation Skill Them Up), Palestine (Gaza Training Centre), Serbia (The Green Art Incubator), Türkiye (Distance Learning Gate;  Always fashion project; Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School), Ukraine (Emau; Professional Qualifications in Energy Efficiency Project; Taras Shevchenko National University), USA (with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe: WeCareSolar).

Background

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the EU agency supporting countries neighbouring the EU in reforming their education, training and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the Union of Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal, the ETF actively promotes progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.

Resources

Press contact

Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu