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1. Intercultural awareness

2. Young people's rights

3. Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalisation leading to violent extremism

Intercultural awareness

The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia has taken steps to promote intercultural awareness; however, these efforts have been largely ad hoc. In 2015, the government launched the "Multiethnic and Multi-religious Cohesion" campaign, featuring 18 videos aimed at fostering social cohesion and mutual understanding among people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. These videos were broadcast on national television and remain available on the official YouTube channel "Кампањи на Владата на РМ".

A key institutional actor in this field is the Ministry of Political System and Inter-Community Relations, established in 2019. The Ministry is responsible for:

• Strengthening inter-community relations and promoting inclusive policies.
• Ensuring the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, including financial support for projects advancing multiculturalism.
• Monitoring and supporting the use of languages spoken by at least 20% of the population.
• Collaborating with national and local institutions to ensure fair and equal representation of all communities.
• Engaging in international cooperation on political and interethnic matters.
   

Additionally, the Ministry provides expert recommendations to the Government and the Inter-Communities Relations Committee, supporting national policies that safeguard the cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of diverse communities.

Beyond government-led efforts, the international community and the civil society organizations (CSO) have played a pivotal role in advancing intercultural dialogue and social inclusion. One notable example is the United Nations Project "Youth for Inclusion, Equality, and Trust" (2022-2024), which focuses on promoting constructive narratives, intercultural dialogue, and gender equality among youth in the Western Balkans. This project aims to foster mutual understanding and trust in the region through various activities, including sports, culture, civic education, and community-based initiatives. By combating negative propaganda, hate speech, and digital violence, the project seeks to build resilience among young people and empower them to contribute to peaceful and inclusive societies.

While progress has been made, ensuring long-term, structured approaches to intercultural dialogue remains essential. A more systematic commitment—through sustained government policies and civil society initiatives—can further strengthen cohesion and foster an inclusive society in North Macedonia.

Young people's rights

The promotion and protection of youth rights in North Macedonia remain largely dependent on civil society and international initiatives, with limited state-led efforts. While legal frameworks exist to support young people’s rights in areas such as employment, education, participation, and social protection, implementation challenges hinder their effectiveness.

The 2023 "Analysis of the Youth-Related Legal Framework" assesses how national legislation impacts young people's participation in public life, education, employment, and social protection. A key issue highlighted in the analysis is the lack of legal awareness among youth, preventing them from fully exercising their rights and engaging in policymaking. While the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies provides a legal basis for youth involvement, weak enforcement mechanisms limit its effectiveness.

In employment, young people face precarious working conditions and a lack of adequate protections, necessitating stronger labor rights enforcement. The education system, meanwhile, requires reforms to improve access, quality, and alignment with labor market demands to better prepare youth for employment.

To enhance youth rights, the analysis recommends harmonizing national policies with EU standards, increasing legal education, and strengthening cooperation between institutions and youth organizations. Ensuring that young people are aware of their rights and have mechanisms to claim them is essential for fostering their active participation in society and decision-making processes.

Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalisation leading to violent extremism

Research highlights that young people in North Macedonia are particularly vulnerable to radicalization, with high unemployment rates and overall economic instability being key contributing factors. In an environment where opportunities for a better future seem scarce, young people become more susceptible to manipulation and extremist influences.

Youth are among the primary targets of radicalization efforts in the country. However, the abstract nature of radicalization often leaves them unprepared and unequipped with the necessary knowledge, counter-arguments, and critical thinking skills to resist extremist narratives.

Recognizing these challenges, North Macedonia’s National Strategy for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (2023-2027) emphasizes the critical role of civil society in strengthening community resilience. The strategy supports a wide range of initiatives working with schools, families, and local communities to prevent radicalization, particularly in vulnerable areas. Additionally, it highlights the importance of collaboration between local governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in providing assistance to individuals at risk of radicalization. A key value of this approach is the strong partnership between governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as international partners, fostering joint projects and initiatives aimed at mitigating radicalization.

As mentioned in the Strategy, the civil society plays a crucial role in preventing and countering radicalization by fostering inclusive communities, promoting civic education, and providing alternative narratives to extremist ideologies.

For example, in January 2021, the Youth Civic Education Platform for Countering Radicalization (Youth Counter) was launched by the Initiative for European Perspective (IEP), in partnership with the Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) - Kumanovo, NEXUS Civil Concept, AKVA – Struga, and CBM - Mitrovica, with financial support from the EU. This platform, led by civil society organizations, provides counter-narratives and alternative perspectives to combat radicalization. By promoting civic education and fostering community-driven initiatives, it equips young people with the tools needed to critically engage with and challenge extremist ideologies.

Similarly, Horizon Civitas, a non-governmental organization, works through its Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) program to build community resilience against all forms of radicalization and violent extremism. By enhancing the capacity of individuals to take social responsibility and actively contribute to a safer society, Horizon Civitas aims to facilitate community-based interventions to address and mitigate the risks of radicalization.

Through these strategic initiatives, North Macedonia is strengthening its efforts to safeguard democracy and promote an inclusive society resilient to extremist influences.