ARNO recently announced the winners of the "Green Ideas" competition held on June 20. The jury committee of the competition chose the best green ideas that reflect a strong business model for the integration of local communities and companies that showcase their commitment to a regenerative economy.
This year, like last year, we have a winning idea for insects and protein food, providing local solutions to the global challenge. We are delighted to have Macedonian innovators who are given the opportunity to showcase their strong commitment to a regenerative economy in fashion. The jury was encouraged by the social enterprise element and the alignment with green principles, leading them to support sustainable fashion. We have two solid Macedonian brands prepared to enter the market with exclusive pre-order products, aiming to generate both profit and benefit local communities. - Irina Janevska, President of ARNO.
Produces products using textile waste from local factories that help to reduce textile waste and its environmental impact. The brand utilizes the leftover scraps from hat production to create smaller accessories like scrunchies. Additionally, all of our products are biodegradable, decomposing within a timeframe of 6 weeks to 6 months.
This is the first fashion brand from North Macedonia that focuses on ethical practices. They specialize in handcrafted fashion accessories using crochet techniques, ensuring zero waste in their production process. Yova goes beyond just creating durable products; they prioritize ethical considerations throughout the entire life cycle of their items. This includes the materials used, the working conditions, and even what happens to the product at the end of its life. Moreover, Yovanka is dedicated to supporting women, as their products are made by single mothers and women from vulnerable categories and rural areas.
"Blagojce Najdovski's Apico-Pro"
Is a groundbreaking, insect-based protein superfood designed for the whole family's health. This innovative product combines locally produced chickpeas, a well-known vegetable protein, with a highly nutritious powder made from drone larvae. The larvae are dried under vacuum conditions with freezing, a process called lyophilization, to retain their nutritional value. The company aims to make the entire range of products showcased in the competition readily available in stores.
ARNO has been organizing the national competition "Green Ideas" for nine years in a row. They are proud to have had regional winners and have invested a total of $85,000 in the development of green businesses in the country. Some notable winners include the first cooperative of organic consumers "Our Good Earth" (2015), the upcycling furniture initiative led by architect Marta Mojsova - "SPIN" (2016), the last-minute food sales platform "Food for All" (2017), the educational project "Green Magic Production" (2017), sustainable rice production called "Bio smart rice" (2019), the "Challenger" mobile application that rewards citizens for walking (2019), "Wice Additive" that produces a food additive from grape pomace (2020), the circular startup "O-Krug" (2021) which makes essential oils and fresheners from orange peels, and the "Insect Pilot Room" (2022) that produces insect protein pet food.
The 12th edition of Balkan Green Ideas is supported by Rockefeller Brothers Fund and is implemented by Balkan Green Foundation in partnership Partners Albania for Change and Development; Mozaik Foundation; Venture UP; Fund for Active Citizenship; ARNO and Trag Foundation.
