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1. Definitions and concepts

2. Institutions of representative democracy

Definitions and concepts

The Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies (Закон за младинско учество и младински политики) defines youth participation as “a process that enables young people to take part in and engage in joint decision-making on policies and programs that directly or indirectly affect their lives.”

This definition is echoed in the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027, which also emphasizes youth participation as an inclusive process that empowers young people to influence decisions that shape their present and future.

To foster such participation, a wide array of formal and informal mechanisms have been developed. These include local youth councils, youth advisory bodies, focus groups, participatory processes in policy development, and youth-led initiatives. However, the effectiveness and consistency of these mechanisms vary across regions and institutions, and sustained efforts are needed to ensure their functionality and accessibility for all young people.

Institutions of representative democracy

The Republic of North Macedonia is a parliamentary representative democratic republic, as defined by its Constitution. The Prime Minister serves as the head of government in a multiparty political system.

The executive branch is led by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, which proposes laws, adopts bylaws, sets the direction for policy implementation, and performs other functions as defined by law.

The legislative branch is represented by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, composed of 120 Members of Parliament (MPs) elected through general, direct, and free elections by secret ballot. According to Article 5 of the Law on the Election of Members of Parliament (Закон за избор на пратеници во Собранието на Република Македонија), “Every citizen of the Republic of Macedonia has the right to be elected as an MP if they are at least 18 years old, have legal capacity, and are not serving a prison sentence for a criminal offense.”

The judiciary is independent of both the executive and legislative branches, and judicial authority is exercised exclusively by the courts.

Article 115 of the Constitution provides that citizens have the right to participate directly or through elected representatives in decision-making at the local level, particularly in areas such as urban planning, public utilities, culture, sports, social protection, child care, preschool and primary education, basic healthcare, and other domains defined by law. Municipalities are autonomous in the execution of their constitutionally and legally assigned competences, while the legality of their work is subject to oversight by the state. Furthermore, the law may assign additional responsibilities to municipalities.

As of 2025, the Republic of North Macedonia consists of 80 local self-government units, including the City of Skopje, which holds a special legal status as a distinct local self-government unit.

Citizens in North Macedonia exercise their democratic rights by electing the President, Members of the Assembly, and local government representatives (Mayors and Municipal Councils) through non-compulsory, free, and secret elections based on proportional representation.