About me
Olimpija Hristova Zaevska, PhD is a Green Finance and Climate Risk Expert at the European Investment Bank, with extensive experience in sustainable finance, energy transition, and industrial policy across Europe, the Western Balkans, and emerging economies. She holds a PhD in International Business and Economics from Copenhagen Business School, with research focused on Industry 4.0 ecosystems and regional innovation.
She has advised governments, central banks, commercial banks, and international financial institutions on climate risk integration, green finance frameworks, and just energy transition strategies, aligning policies and investments with EU and international standards (IFRS S1/S2, TCFD, EU CSRD, ESG). Her work has supported the mobilization of large-scale climate and energy investments, including leading contributions to North Macedonia’s Accelerated Coal Transition Investment Plan.
Olimpija has held senior advisory roles to the Government of North Macedonia, collaborated with institutions such as the EIB, EBRD, World Bank, UNECE, ILO, and USAID, and is the founder of Elson Solutions. She is an experienced lecturer, researcher, and published author on green finance, Industry 4.0, and sustainable investment, and regularly represents investment opportunities at international policy and finance forums.
Education
PhD in International Business and Economics – Copenhagen Business School
Research Fellowship in International Business – Politecnico di Milano, School of Management
Professional Certificate in Corporate Finance – Columbia Business University (online)
MA in Political Economy – Central European University
BA in International Relations – Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Law
Undergraduate Exchange in International Economy – University of Washington
Work Experience
Green Finance and Climate Risk Expert / Country Lead (North Macedonia) – European Investment Bank
Green Economy and Finance Reviewer – UNECE
Financial Markets, Just Transition & Energy Economics Expert – LuxDev (Kosovo)
Corporate Climate Governance & Decarbonization Expert – EBRD
Energy Sector Finance Mobilization & Investment Planning Expert – EBRD
Sustainable Investment & Industrial Policy Expert – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
Team Leader / Green Finance & Just Transition Expert – International Labour Organization (ILO)
Private Sector Engagement Expert / Team Leader – CIPE
Just Energy Transition Expert – World Bank
Investment Environment & FDI Expert – DAI / OCO Global
PhD Fellow & Teaching Assistant – Copenhagen Business School
Visiting Lecturer (MBA) – University American College Skopje
Sustainable Finance Expert – PwC
Industrial Policy & Smart Specialization Expert – GIZ
Founder & Sustainable Innovation Expert – Elson Solutions
Green Finance Consultant – City of Skopje / SmartUp
Chief of Staff & International Finance Advisor – Ministry of Finance, North Macedonia
International Economy Advisor – Office of the Prime Minister, North Macedonia
Teaching Assistant – European Consortium of Political Research (ECPR)
Co-founder & Researcher – Impact Institute for Research
Economic Researcher – Center for Economic Analysis
Public Presentations
Presenter and panelist at international and regional forums on green finance, energy transition, Industry 4.0, and sustainable investment, including events organized by:
International Labour Organization (ILO)
World Bank, EBRD, EIB, IFC
UN agencies and UNECE
WEF-related platforms, Financial Times, Economist events
Regional academic and policy conferences in Europe and the Western Balkans
Trainings
Delivered professional trainings on green finance, climate risk, just transition, and sustainable investment for:
Commercial and central banks (Europe, Africa)
Government institutions and regulators
Business chambers and private sector organizations
Municipalities and energy sector stakeholders
Topics include green finance frameworks, climate risk integration, energy transition financing, Industry 4.0, and investment planning
My socials:
