How does European support contribute to the growth of local businesses? To find out, we took on the Wine Discovery Challenge and, together with students from “Jovche Teslichkov” Secondary School of Economics – Veles, set out to explore Dane Hermes Wine Estate in the heart of the Tikveš wine region, in Negotino.
During this educational visit, organised by Europe House Veles, winery owner Dane Jovanov introduced the students to the winemaking process and the day-to-day operations of the winery.
This family-owned winery is among the local businesses that have received direct support through the IPARD Programme 2021–2027, “European Opportunities for Macedonian Agriculture and Rural Development”, which enables agricultural producers and businesses to invest in modernisation, improve production and expand their capacities.
The visit gave students an opportunity to see first-hand how a family business operates and how EU support can contribute to its growth. But the learning experience did not end there.
Divided into teams, the students were challenged to think like real entrepreneurs: to come up with a new non-alcoholic grape-based product, complete with their own concept, branding and market placement strategy.
The result? Three creative ideas: grape-based body scrub, gummy sweets made from grapes and grape crisps. They showed how a traditional agricultural product can be given new value and purpose when knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking come together.
The visit demonstrated that EU support for local development goes beyond modernising production facilities and financing new investments. It also helps connect education with the business sector, giving young people the opportunity to learn from local producers, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and turn their ideas into potential new products.