MACEDONIAN ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH NETWORK SKOPJE

Their core work

MARNET is North Macedonia's national research and education network (NREN), responsible for providing high-speed internet connectivity and networking services to universities, research institutions, and educational organizations across the country. As part of the pan-European GÉANT network, MARNET connects Macedonian academia to the global research infrastructure, enabling data-intensive collaboration and access to shared e-infrastructures. They also contribute to bridging the digital divide for research communities in the Western Balkans and support transatlantic connectivity initiatives linking Europe with Latin America.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

MARNET's early H2020 participation (2015–2016) centered on foundational research networking through the initial GÉANT phase (GN4-1) and the transatlantic BELLA-S1 connectivity project. In the later period (2019–2023), their involvement deepened into more advanced topics including multi-domain networking, network security, trust frameworks, and long-term backbone capacity expansion via GN4-3 and GN4-3N. The trajectory shows a shift from basic network participation toward contributing to more technically sophisticated networking challenges.

MARNET is moving toward deeper technical contributions in network security, trust, and backbone capacity — positioning them as a more capable NREN partner for future infrastructure projects.

How they like to work

MARNET operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a smaller national NREN joining large pan-European infrastructure consortia. Their 40 unique partners across 38 countries reflect the massive GÉANT consortium structure rather than independently built relationships. Working with MARNET means engaging a reliable infrastructure partner embedded in the largest research networking community in Europe, though they are unlikely to lead or initiate projects independently.

Through the GÉANT consortia, MARNET connects with 40 partners across 38 countries, spanning virtually all of Europe plus Latin American partners via BELLA-S1. Their network is broad by association rather than through independent relationship-building.

What sets them apart

MARNET is the sole NREN in North Macedonia, making them the obligatory gateway for any EU-funded research networking activity in the country. For consortium builders needing Western Balkan coverage or geographic diversity in infrastructure proposals, MARNET fills a specific niche that no other organization in MK can. Their consistent participation across all GÉANT phases demonstrates reliability and institutional commitment to European research infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GN4-3
  Largest funding (EUR 538,532) and most technically advanced GÉANT phase, covering secure networking, multi-domain operations, and trust frameworks.
• BELLA-S1
  Unique transatlantic scope — building a dedicated submarine cable between Europe and Latin America for research and education connectivity.
• GN4-2
  Four-year engagement (2016–2020) representing MARNET's longest sustained contribution to European research networking infrastructure.