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1. Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/Updates

Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

Currently, North Macedonia does not have a dedicated National Strategy for the social inclusion of young people. However, youth social inclusion needs were previously addressed through the Strategy on Poverty Reduction and Social Exclusion 2010-2020 (Национална стратегија за намалување на сиромаштијата и социјалната исклученост 2010-2020), which aimed to balance inclusion and welfare across all social levels. Despite its completion, no new overarching strategy has been adopted to replace it as of March 2025.

Nevertheless, the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized youth has been recognized as a key priority in the National Youth Strategy 2023-2027 (Национална стратегија за млади 2023-2027). This strategy takes a more integrated approach, addressing social inclusion within multiple policy areas, including education, employment, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on increasing youth participation in the labor market. It highlights the need for tailored measures to support young people from marginalized backgrounds, including Roma youth, young people with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged communities. Moreover, the strategy emphasizes youth participation in policy-making processes, reinforcing their role as active stakeholders in shaping inclusive policies.

Social inclusion policies in North Macedonia are designed to respond both to the general risk of social exclusion and the specific needs of vulnerable groups. In this regard, the Government has adopted various targeted strategies, such as those addressing the inclusion of Roma communities and persons with disabilities.

The Ministry for Social Affairs, Demography and Youth (former Ministry of Labor and Social Policy) has also developed a Programme for Dealing with the Problems of Socially Excluded Persons (Програма за справување со проблемите на социјално исклучените лица), aimed at:

• Breaking the cycle of intergenerational exclusion;

• Strengthening and supporting beneficiaries from all target groups to actively engage in community life;

• Testing and implementing new social inclusion practices.

The program primarily targets drug users and their families, street children and their parents, victims of domestic violence, and homeless individuals.

Additionally, since 2018, the Ministry for Social Affairs, Demography and Youth, with support from the World Bank, has been implementing the Social Services Improvement Project (2018-2024). This initiative aimed to expand access to social services and improve their quality, particularly in areas such as childcare and specialized care facilities for vulnerable groups.

In the education sector, the Ministry of Education and Science has prioritized promoting equality and non-discrimination within its Strategic Plan 2025 (Стратешки план 2025 на Министерство за образование и наука), reflecting a commitment to inclusive education policies.

Scope and contents

The former Strategy on Poverty Reduction and Social Exclusion (2010-2020) was structured around key areas where poverty and exclusion were most evident, including:

• Employment and labor market access
• Informal economy and entrepreneurship
• Social protection and child welfare
• Health services and long-term care
• Education and lifelong learning
• Housing, transport, and digital inclusion
• Equal opportunities and public awareness

Responsible authority

Given the complexity of social inclusion challenges, the Government of North Macedonia was the main implementing and coordinating body of the strategy. Several ministries and institutions played key roles, including:

• the former Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Education and Science
• Ministry of Economy
• Ministry of Transport and Communications
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Local Self-Government
• Ministry of Information Society and Administration
• the former Agency of Youth and Sport
• State Statistical Office
• Employment Service Agency

Revisions/Updates

A major revision of the Strategy on Poverty Reduction and Social Exclusion (2010-2020) was undertaken in 2013, aligning it with the EU Strategy for Growth and Development 2020. This revision streamlined the focus areas from 14 to 7, with an increased emphasis on employment, education reform, and social and child protection.

Despite partial progress in employment rates, social welfare access, and child protection, a comprehensive evaluation by the Association for Support and Development – Humanity concluded that the strategy did not fully achieve its intended impact. The need for a new, updated national strategy on poverty reduction and social inclusion has been recognized, yet as of March 2025, no such strategy has been formally adopted.