CRPM North Macedonia - SMART Balkans

Second National Drug Policy Conference: Key Discussions and Future Actions

The Second National Drug Policy Conference marked a pivotal step forward in shaping a more effective and humane approach to drug-related issues in North Macedonia. Organized by ХОПС – Опции за здрав живот Скопје, with support from SMART Balkans and Norway 🇳🇴, the event convened policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders to address pressing challenges and outline actionable solutions. Among the highlights was the urgent call for sustainable funding to support harm reduction programs, a critical necessity in light of budget cuts threatening their continuity. The conference also emphasized aligning national drug policies with human rights principles, underscoring the importance of compassion and dignity in policy implementation.

Key milestones included the introduction of drug-checking initiatives to reduce harm and prevent fatalities and unveiling the National Drug Action Plan 2024–2025—a strategic framework to address the nation’s drug-related challenges in the coming years. This collaborative effort reaffirmed the commitment to a safer, healthier society through innovation, inclusion, and advocacy. As North Macedonia continues to refine its drug policy, the outcomes of this conference stand as a testament to the power of collective action and forward-thinking leadership.

Don’t miss the key insights shared during the event!

Study on the Mechanisms of Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Description

Human rights defenders (HRDs) in Serbia face direct and indirect violations of their rights and freedoms every day, and attacks on them have intensified over the last year, which indicates the urgency of the need to change this situation. This project will analyse HRDs protection mechanisms in different countries with the aim to enhance knowledge on this topic and potentially contribute to stronger HRD protection in Serbia.

Project goals

Preparation of a study that will provide a comparative overview of the protection mechanisms of human rights defenders in different countries.

Target groups

Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ombudsperson, prosecutors, judges, HRDs.

Main activities

Collection of data on international instruments that protect the rights of human rights defenders
Analysis of international protection mechanisms
Selection of countries whose national systems will be analyzed in the study
Collection of data on national protection systems for human rights defenders in selected countries
Analysis of national protection systems for human rights defenders in selected countries
Drafting of a study on the mechanisms of protection of human rights defenders
Proofreading and design of the study
Publication of the study
Creation of a dissemination and promotion plan
Creation of a short promotional video in which the researchers will present the main findings
Dissemination of the study through the BCBP website, social networks, mailing lists, etc
Presentation of the study to relevant institutions, through meetings, round table discussions, etc.

#Share, Protect Yourself!

The project “#Share, Protect Yourself!” has successfully implemented an innovative model for preventing and combating online harassment targeting young women. By directly involving youth in its activities, the project has created a platform for ongoing civic engagement, empowering young activists to promote policies rooted in non-violence against women and girls.

Achieving the Vision

The project’s overarching goal to inspire and affirm the integration of young people into policies for online violence prevention and protection has been realized. Through carefully designed initiatives, it has effectively heightened awareness and mobilized communities to address this critical issue.

Key Outcomes

Increased Awareness Among Youth The project has significantly raised awareness among young individuals about the repercussions of online violence. Workshops, campaigns, and interactive sessions have educated thousands, equipping them with the knowledge to recognize, respond to, and prevent cyber harassment.
Empowered Youth for Civic Engagement By strengthening the capacities of young people, the project has cultivated a new generation of proactive citizens. Participants have been trained in advocacy, policy promotion, and community organizing, enabling them to take a leading role in fostering safer online spaces.
Engaged Local Institutions Local-level representatives from key institutions have been actively engaged, fostering collaboration with youth in community-led actions. This partnership underscores the importance of integrating young voices into policy-making and ensuring a united front against online violence.

A Regional Effort with Significant Support

The success of “#Share, Protect Yourself!” has been made possible through the support of “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for a Connected Western Balkans”, a regional initiative implemented by Centar za promociju civilnog drustva (CPCD), the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM). Financial backing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway (NMFA) has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality.

This project demonstrates the power of youth-driven initiatives in shaping safer, non-violent online environments, setting a benchmark for future endeavors in combating cyber harassment.

Youth Power for Change: Successful Implementation of the Youth Participation in Rural Areas Project

Results That Inspire Progress

During the implementation of the “Youth Participation in Rural Areas” project in the municipalities of Bogovinje and Tearce, significant progress was achieved, supporting the project’s objectives and creating a foundation for sustainable youth development.

Understanding Challenges and Needs

In the initial phase, an in-depth analysis of the challenges and needs of young people was conducted. This analysis provided a clear picture of the issues faced by youth in both municipalities. Through this effort, the main problems and needs of the community were identified, laying the groundwork for future activities.

Empowering Youth Participation

The next phase focused on strategy and planning. Local youth councils were established as mechanisms for engaging young people in creating solutions. This activity not only fostered youth participation but also led to the development of tailored youth strategies for each municipality, addressing real needs and opinions.

Promoting Engagement and Generating Impact

In the implementation phase, a range of activities such as promotional campaigns, meetings, and workshops were carried out. The promotional campaign increased awareness and interest among young people, while meetings and workshops provided platforms for them to express their ideas and opinions on improving their communities. Collectively, these efforts significantly enhanced the project’s impact, delivering tangible and measurable results to support peaceful and inclusive societies, foster local youth strategies, and elevate youth participation in decision-making processes.

Strengthening Local Youth Councils

The project greatly improved the capacity of local youth councils by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and resources. These councils became capable of effectively identifying community challenges and integrating them into comprehensive youth strategies.

Crafting Local Youth Strategies

A key outcome of the project was the creation of customized youth strategies for each municipality. Based on the analysis of the current situation, these strategies outline measures and actions to enhance opportunities and the quality of life for young people in Bogovinje and Tearce.

Addressing Current Challenges

The analysis revealed that youth in Bogovinje and Tearce face challenges such as high unemployment rates, limited educational opportunities, and restricted access to recreation and cultural activities in rural areas. This insight formed the basis for activities aimed at improving the quality of life and opportunities for young people in these communities.

Publication of the Local Youth Strategy

The Local Youth Strategies for Bogovinje and Tearce, developed by experts in collaboration with youth working groups, represent integrated documents with clear goals and activities to support young people in the area. These strategies embody a partnership approach that actively involves young people in their creation and implementation. They provide a framework for improving conditions and advancing opportunities for youth in these municipalities.

Training on “Protection from Natural Disasters and Threats” Organized by CSI Nadezh-Skopje and Butel Municipality

In October, CSI Nadezh-Skopje, in collaboration with Butel Municipality, organized two-day training sessions as part of the activities under the “Initiate-Implement-Change” project. The training sessions were conducted with students from four primary schools in the municipality on the topic of “Protection from Natural Disasters and Threats.”

📍 More than 60 students participated from the primary schools:

MPS “Zhivko Brajkovski” (SHFK “Zhivko Brajkovski”),
MPS “St. Kliment Ohridski”-Butel,
MPS “Aco Shopov,” and
MPS “Panajot Ginovski” – Butel Municipality.

📍 Four student preventive teams were formed.
📍 Students and teachers gained enhanced knowledge and strengthened capacities for protection against natural disasters and threats.

The project was carried out with the support of the regional SMART Balkans project – Civil Society for a Connected Western Balkans, implemented by the Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD), the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM). Financial support was provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.

Transforming Challenges into Local Solutions: Tackling the Shadow Economy in Pelagonia

The shadow economy, a complex phenomenon influenced by factors such as regulatory overreach, lack of fiscal discipline, labor market dynamics, and the efficiency of inspection services, poses significant challenges. Its elusive nature makes accurate measurement difficult, hindering the development of effective economic and social policies.

Recognizing this, LAG Agro Leader is launching the initiative “Change Starts at the Local Level”. This project, supported by the regional SMART Balkans initiative—Civil Society for a Connected Western Balkans, is implemented in collaboration with organizations such as Centar za Promociju Civilnog Društva (CPCD), the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), with financial backing from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Project Mission:

To enhance citizen and civil society engagement by providing a statistical overview of informal employment in Pelagonia’s agricultural sector, focusing on workers often invisible and vulnerable.

Specific Objectives:

Enhancing Local Economic Insights: Provide municipalities in Pelagonia with better data on key economic trends.
Identifying Informal Workers: Map the scope and structure of informal labor in the agricultural sector.
Promoting Financial Sustainability: Lay the groundwork for municipalities to achieve greater financial independence and support deeper decentralization.

Tangible Outcomes:

By executing targeted activities, the project aims to deliver measurable results:

Monitoring Network Formation: Establish a coalition of civil society organizations to research and monitor the shadow economy in agriculture.
Problem Identification: Detect root causes and contributors to the shadow economy in Pelagonia’s agricultural sector.
Policy Recommendations: Publish a comprehensive public document with actionable recommendations and indicators.
Stakeholder Engagement: Host meetings and press conferences with institutions and municipalities to spotlight the shadow economy’s extent.
Improved Financial Stability: Create conditions for financially stronger, more autonomous municipalities in Pelagonia.

This project’s innovative approach combines research, policy advocacy, and community collaboration to address the pressing issue of informal employment, creating a model for tackling the shadow economy from the ground up.

Strengthening Youth Engagement in North Macedonia

The Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA, has made significant progress in advancing youth participation across North Macedonia. Through consultations in eight regions, they proposed actionable steps to improve the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies while raising public and governmental awareness of the importance of youth-focused legislation. With input from over 280 young people—students, unemployed youth, and local youth councils—the initiative gathered valuable perspectives to shape impactful policies.

The effort culminated in a national workshop where 40+ representatives from youth organizations, government bodies, and legal experts collaborated to finalize recommendations. Key leaders, including those from the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, emphasized prioritizing youth in national strategies. The next step is completing the policy brief through an inclusive process, marking a crucial step toward a brighter future for young people in North Macedonia.

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Health Care in Rural Areas

Over the past month, the OWSVN team visited three rural areas and reached over 300 residents from the villages of Crnilište, Gorobinci, and Erdželija, promoting our project “Healthy Life Habits – Well-being of Mind and Body.” This initiative allowed them to engage with the residents, learn about their feelings, and understand how often they seek health check-ups.

During the conversations, several important topics emerged: many residents expressed a need for more information about mental health and its connection to physical well-being, as well as practical advice on proper nutrition and physical activity in everyday life. Their goal is to help create healthy communities where everyone has access to information and resources for better health.

Raising awareness about the importance of regular health care, maintaining a balance between body and mind, and adopting habits that contribute to improved health and aiming to support the well-being of every community member!

Inspiring video message from the Ambassador H.E Kristin Melsom for student competition

On November 11th, high school students participating in the SMART Balkans project gathered for an online coordination meeting, hosted by LEAD. The meeting featured an inspiring message from H.E. Kristin Melsom, the Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, who encouraged the students to take proactive responsibility for creating change, sharing examples of successful initiatives led by Norwegian students.

The students then provided updates on their Service Learning projects, highlighting progress and key achievements. From environmental clean-ups to social awareness campaigns, the teams were making significant strides in their communities. The focus shifted to preparing for the final events in December, where these projects would be showcased.

This initiative, part of the LEADing Forward project, is helping the students build essential skills in leadership and sustainable development, with the goal of delivering impactful, lasting results in their communities.

Watch the full video here:

How Can I Understand Better

Description

The project aims to address the rising social tensions and misconceptions about terrorism, religious communities, and radicalization in Serbia, following a series of terrorist attacks and threats, by initiating a broader social dialogue through modern communication channels to improve understanding, counter stereotypes, and prevent further escalation.

Project goals

Raising awareness about the phenomenon of terrorism, the fight against radicalization, the fight against terrorism, breaking stereotypes, as well as the development of social cohesion, inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue.

Target groups

Primary target group: young people aged 18-30, viewers, as well as social network followers
Secondary target group: general public in the Republic of Serbia

Main activities

Recording of 10 episodes of the podcast called “TerAkt” lasting 45 minutes each, covering topics such as definition and observation of current trends related to the phenomenon of terrorism; methods of fight against terrorism; the importance and role of religion in the process of reconciliation and dialogue; reporting and narratives in the media and the like;
Campaign to promote inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok);
Collecting data and creating a comprehensive analysis on the topic of conceptual definition and observation of current trends related to the phenomenon of terrorism;
Collecting data and creating a comprehensive analysis on the topic of ways to fight terrorism;
Collecting data and creating a comprehensive analysis on the topic of the importance and role of religion in the process of reconciliation, development of social dialogue and strengthening of social cohesion;
Collecting data and creating a comprehensive analysis on the topic of reporting on terrorism and narratives in the media;
Published analyzes with obtained results, distribution in electronic form to the media and relevant institutions;
Online presentation of analysis results;
Organizing a one-day interactive panel discussion on the topic of terrorism and the fight against terrorism.

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