Name and Surname
Olimpija Hristova Zaevska
Affiliation
Elson Solutions, Copenhagen Business School
Contact email
olimpija@elsonsolutions.com
Short Biography
Olimpija Hristova Zaevska is the Founder and CEO of Elson Solutions and an expert in green finance, energy transition, and international business. She holds a PhD in International Business and Economics from Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.
Olimpija brings academic rigor to consulting and policymaking and is working with development banks and development partners including EBRD, EIB, as well as USAID, GiZ, CIPE and the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia on various projects. She consults on international cooperation and finance mobilization, investments in energy transition and innovation ecosystems. Olimpija often coordinates the work of various technical, energy, grid, financial and investment consultants to provide guidance on economic development or energy investments. Olimpija is also engaged as a green finance and climate risk consultant on greening financial systems in North Macedonia and Ethiopia and serves as green economy reviewer to the UNECE.
Previously, as an international economy adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia, Olimpija worked actively with development banks on negotiating and structuring loans, designing state aid, implementing tax reforms, and public finance management.
Research abstract
Utilizing Industry 4.0 ecosystems for regional innovation across the Western Balkans
This research investigates the presence and impact of Industry 4.0 ecosystems (I4ESes) (hubs, accelerators) across the Western Balkan countries and their influence on regional innovation. Utilizing a prior theoretical framework based on ecosystem theorizing, the study will map I4ESes comprising diverse actors, such as firms, universities, and NGOs, focusing on their structure and value creation. It will assess the impact of I4ESes on regional innovation from 2014 to 2023, measuring innovation dynamics and patenting activity using the EU Regional Innovation Scoreboard. The study aims to provide recommendations for enhancing regional innovation and green transitions in WB countries, utilizing I4ESes.