Author: macedonia2025_dev

Call for applications closed on: October 16^th, 2024

Macedonia2025 announces the 2025 Open Call for the Zafirovski Executive Education Program, which provides scholarships to the globally renowned Kellogg School of Management.

Since 2017, the Zafirovski Executive Education Program of Macedonia2025 has provided scholarships for Macedonian business leaders to the globally renowned Kellogg Executive Development Program. The program aims to enhance the competencies and performance of Macedonian business leaders and contribute to further developing the Macedonian economy and society.

Our partner in this Program is the Kellogg School of Management, since 1908, has been pioneering the transformation of business education. With a global reach, Kellogg boasts a vibrant community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni who influence business practices worldwide.  Kellogg brings a blend of theory and practice to its rigorous academic experience, creating a dynamic learning environment. Learn more about the Kellogg School of Management experience HERE 

The Robin and Mike Zafirovski Foundation, in partnership with the Kellogg School of Management, plays a vital role in supporting the Zafirovski Executive Education Program. Our organization, together with the Macedonian business community, is profoundly grateful for their steadfast commitment to advancing the development of Macedonia’s next generation of 100 business leaders. By nurturing their growth, we aspire to empower these leaders to become driving forces for progress, contributing to the strengthening and prosperity of our nation.

The Zafirovski Executive Education Program offers scholarships for Kellogg’s Executive Development Program (EDP) (available scholarships for both sessions)

Kellogg’s Executive Development Program (EDP) trains high-performing managers to become successful leaders. They can learn what it takes to guide organizations through uncertainty and disruption, from general management fundamentals to topics at the forefront of modern strategy. It’s how to anticipate what’s ahead and respond with confidence. To meet the highest expectations, in their next role and everyone after. To be a lasting leader. Kellogg EDP provides the most comprehensive general management overview. It’s a unique balance of business school essentials and emerging topics – from digital transformation to design thinking. The curriculum extends beyond the fundamentals to prepare future leaders for the challenges ahead. This intensive program focuses on a highly immersive and supportive learning environment that emphasizes the foundational business skills needed by general managers to understand and lead the workforce. in which business operates, the key functional areas of management, the development, and implementation of corporate and business strategy, and the promotion of organizational learning. With a finger on the pulse of business, Kellogg ensures the curriculum keeps pace with the ever-evolving challenges and complexity of executive leadership.

Program details:

• The program comprises blended or in-person sessions of the Kellogg Executive Development Program (EDP), delivered by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, USA;
• Each participant is required to prepare and present an individual capstone project addressing a specific business challenge in Macedonia, as well as contribute to a group capstone project – facilitating elevation in Macedonia2025 work;
• Participants contribute a fee of USD 10,000, covering lodging and most meals (due to potential changes in the program fee, there may be adjustments to this amount);
• Total program value of approximately USD 33,550 or 37,350 per participant;
• Additionally, participants are responsible for covering their transportation and visa expenses.

The program offers comprehensive Leadership Accelerator Opportunities, including mentoring, networking, experiential learning, recognition, and benefits through Kellogg Alumni Status, along with ongoing support.

Macedonia2025 requirement:

Each participant should: i) prepare and present an individual capstone project for a specific business/challenge in Macedonia and ii) actively contribute to the preparation and presentation of a group capstone project for the betterment of the Macedonia2025 program/activity of choice.

Target participants: 

• Who is currently a high-performing mid-level or a senior management executive, a functional senior leader on a path to becoming a general manager;
• At least 10 years of professional experience;
• Functional senior leaders who must interface with other functional areas outside of their expertise;
• Principals of small and medium-sized firms, and entrepreneurs or owners of small companies with growth potential;
• Who understands that merely focusing on a skills-based change does not lead to sustained professional growth
• Who appreciates and values diverse business perspectives and discussions.

Additional requirements:

• Candidates must have full support from their current employer;
• Strong English reading, listening, and speaking skills are essential;
• Written recommendations from Zafirovski Fellows are highly encouraged and will be considered. Please see a list of our Zafirovski Fellows HERE;
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Optional Item: Leadership Coaching Package (priced at $ 3,000)

This package offers one-on-one leadership coaching with a Kellogg leadership coach to maximize impact as a leader. Participants work with the coach to set personal goals and explore situation-specific leadership strategies, with coaching sessions available on-site during early mornings, lunchtimes, or evenings.

The 2025 Executive Education Program Sessions

Blended Session April 7 – May 18, 2025 Start: April 7 at 8:30 AM End: May 18 at 12:00 PM  Live Virtual Zoom Half-Days April 7-11: Faculty Sessions (Required) at 8:30 AM CT April 21-25: Faculty Sessions (Required) at 8:30 AM CT  In-Person Full Days May 8: Welcome Dinner Reception (Optional) at 6:30 PM CT May 9-18: Faculty Sessions (Required) at 8:30 AM CT In-Person fee includes lodging and most meal

In-person Session October 12 – 31, 2025 Start: October 12 at 5:00 PM End: October 31 at 11:45 AM  Format: In-Person at Global Hub on Evanston Campus In-Person fee includes lodging and most meal

Please visit the EDP’s official website HERE or the program’s brochure HERE for more information.

The number of scholarships available for 2025 will be determined upon receiving applications.

How to apply?

To apply, you must fill in the APPLICATION ASSESSMENT FORM, and attach the required documents. At the end of the process, you should have submitted:

     • Completed Application Assessment Form;

     • EDP Kellogg Application Form HERE

     • CV in English (Europass or similar format);

     • High-resolution Photo;

     • Recommendation by Zafirovski Fellow (optional)

Check testimonials from Zafirovski Fellows, down bottom HERE.

Selection Process

     • Macedonia2025 does administrative pre-selection of the applications;

     • During the review process, candidates may be asked to submit additional documents;

     • Pre-selection of potential candidates is done by an expert Selection commission by mid-November 2024;

     • Final selection will follow after a personal interview with Mike Zafirovski;

     • Notifying all selected candidates by the end of December 2024.

Important Note

The call is exclusively open to Macedonian executives and managers of companies based in Macedonia, who are committed to advancing their professional careers within the country and contributing to its economic development.

Scholarship recipients of Macedonia2025 education programs in the previous three years are not qualified to apply. Please note that applicants from companies whose employees have not been previous scholarship recipients of this program will be prioritized.

The Open Call for Kellogg EDP closes on October 16^th, 2024.

Looking forward to YOUR application!