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1. Definitions and concepts

2. Institutions of representative democracy

Definitions and concepts

Youth participation in North Macedonia is legally regulated by the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies (Official Gazette No. 10/2020), adopted in January 2020.

The Law defines youth participation as:

“a process that enables young people to take part in and engage in joint decision-making on policies and programmes that directly or indirectly affect their lives.”

The Law defines “youth” as persons aged 15–29.

Youth participation is further framed in the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027 (adopted by the Government in 2023), where it is identified as one of eight thematic priorities. The Strategy promotes participation through structured dialogue, representative mechanisms and youth involvement in policy development and monitoring.

The legal framework foresees formal mechanisms at national and local level, including:

• National Youth Assembly

• National Advisory Body for Youth Policies

• Local Youth Assemblies

• Local Youth Councils
   

In addition to formal mechanisms, youth participation also takes place through public consultations, working groups, civil society initiatives and student representation structures.

While the normative framework is comprehensive, implementation remains uneven, particularly regarding the operationalisation of national-level participatory bodies.

Institutions of representative democracy

North Macedonia is a parliamentary representative democratic republic, as defined by the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia (adopted in 1991, with subsequent amendments).

Electoral principles

• Voting rights are granted at 18 years of age (Article 22 of the Constitution).

• Elections are universal, equal and direct.

• Voting is conducted by secret ballot.

• Voting is not compulsory.
   

Legislative branch

The Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia (Собрание на Република Северна Македонија) exercises legislative power.

• It consists of 120 Members of Parliament (MPs).

• MPs are elected through a proportional representation system in six electoral districts.

• The legal framework governing parliamentary elections is defined in the Law on Election of Members of Parliament (Official Gazette No. 42/2002, with subsequent amendments).

• Citizens aged 18 and above may stand for election as Members of Parliament, provided they meet legal capacity requirements.

Executive branch

Executive power is exercised by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, headed by the Prime Minister. The Government proposes legislation, adopts secondary legislation and coordinates national policy implementation.

Judiciary

Judicial power is exercised by the courts, which are independent and autonomous, in accordance with the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.

Local self-government

According to Article 115 of the Constitution and the Law on Local Self-Government (Official Gazette No. 5/2002, with amendments), municipalities have constitutionally guaranteed competences in areas relevant to young people, including:

• education;
• culture;
• sports;
• social protection;
• child care;
• urban planning;
• local economic development.
   

North Macedonia is divided into 80 municipalities, including the City of Skopje, which has a special status as a local self-government unit and is further subdivided into 10 municipalities."

Mayors and municipal councils are elected through direct elections. Municipal councils are elected using proportional representation, while mayors are elected through a majority system.