EVROPSKI VOLONTERSKI I EDUKATIVEN CENTAR Kocani (EVEC Kočani) is a non-profit organisation based in Kočani, North Macedonia, operating as a Youth Green Tech Innovation Hub since 2014.
EVEC Kočani is located in the heart of the Kočani rice valley — the largest rice-producing region in the Western Balkans. Every year after harvest, thousands of tonnes of rice straw are burned directly on the fields, releasing massive amounts of CO2, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and black carbon. This causes severe seasonal air pollution, damages soil health, and contributes to regional climate warming — an environmental crisis and a massive untapped circular economy opportunity.
We work across four interconnected innovation domains rooted in this local agricultural ecosystem:
1. Circular Bio-Materials: Developing mycelium-based packaging, insulation, and construction materials using rice straw as primary substrate. Beyond rice straw, the Kočani region produces corn, oats, grapes (wine industry), stone fruits, and orchard crops — generating corn stalks, oat straw, vine prunings, and fruit tree wood cuttings. We aim to test multiple local agricultural waste streams as substrates for mycelium cultivation, creating a regional circular bio-materials hub.
2. Drone Innovation: VET curricula and hands-on training in UAV technology. Drone-based crop monitoring, NDVI analysis, and precision agriculture applications for rice and other crops.
3. Smart Agriculture: Sensor-based environmental monitoring, data collection, and digital tools for sustainable farming in Eastern Macedonia.
4. Renewable Energy: Solar panel inspection and integration, green energy infrastructure monitoring via UAV.
As a Widening country partner (North Macedonia), EVEC Kočani strengthens Horizon Europe consortia under Widening participation criteria and brings access to Southeast European agricultural contexts, diverse waste streams, and stakeholder networks underrepresented in EU R&I.
Track record: 15+ EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, ESC) since 2014. Active partnerships with rice farmers, agricultural cooperatives, municipalities, and educational institutions across 12+ countries.
PIC: 943554018 | Website: evec.org.mk | Email: contact@evec.org.mk