Around 40 students from Prilep's vocational high schools stood in front of the local business community and pitched 20 business ideas. "Pitch Scene Prilep," the city's first youth entrepreneurship and business pitching event, was organized by the association "Genvibe" and the Prilep Regional Chamber of Commerce in the main hall of the municipal building. The ideas were judged by an expert jury from Prilep companies.

Some of the proposals were concrete. Marija Mateska from the "Mirche Acev" gymnasium proposed a digital city clock in front of the municipal building, with codes that would lead tourists to locations and information about Prilep. Stefan Mojsoski from the "Orde Chopela" school is working on a catalytic device fitted to the chimneys of homes, schools and institutions, to, as he put it, clean up the smoke.

Mayor Dejan Prodanoski didn't miss his moment. "Together we are developing Prilep as a city where young people won't look for a future elsewhere, but will have a reason to build their future here," he said. Also present was Branko Azeski, president of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.

It's a nice line. But the young people on that stage have already shown they have ideas. The real question is what happens after the applause. How many of the 20 ideas will get funding, a mentor or a place to work? How many of the companies on the jury will offer an internship or a job?

Prodanoski says the municipality is directly involved in encouraging entrepreneurial spirit among students. Fine. The next stage should be the one where we see what's left of the promises, in numbers. For example, how many of these 40 young people will still be in Prilep five years from now.