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Youth Wiki

Republic of North Macedonia

5. Participation

5.5 National strategy to increase youth participation

Last update: 25 June 2025
On this page
  1. Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation
  2. Scope and contents
  3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy
  4. Monitoring and evaluation
  5. Revisions/Updates
On this page
  1. Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation
  2. Scope and contents
  3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy
  4. Monitoring and evaluation
  5. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a national strategy to increase young people's political and civil society participation

The Republic of North Macedonia has established a strategic framework to support and strengthen the political and civil participation of young people. The National Youth Strategy 2016–2025 included Youth Participation as one of its nine thematic priorities, laying an important foundation for inclusive youth engagement in public life.

In accordance with the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies, adopted in January 2020, the development of a new National Youth Strategy was mandated. The law emphasizes the creation and implementation of youth policy through a multisectoral approach, based on the needs and interests of young people. It also defines the National Youth Strategy as a medium-term strategic document that sets out goals and priorities for youth policy development and outlines the organizational, financial, and administrative measures needed for their implementation.

Although the legal deadline for adopting the new strategy was July 2021, the drafting process began in October 2022. After an extensive and participatory process coordinated by the Agency of Youth and Sport, and in consultation with the National Advisory Body on Youth, the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027 was officially adopted by the Government in 2023.

The new strategy recognizes Youth Participation as one of its eight thematic areas, reaffirming the state’s commitment to ensuring meaningful involvement of young people in shaping public policies.

The Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies also sets out clear objectives, including:

  1. Developing and implementing youth policies through a multisectoral approach based on young people’s needs;

  2. Strengthening youth participation in policy-making and promoting active information and protection of youth interests;

  3. Encouraging intergenerational cooperation in decision-making processes;

  4. Supporting and promoting youth organizations;

  5. Promoting structured dialogue at the national and local level;

  6. Encouraging volunteering, youth activism, and youth work;

  7. Supporting the personal, professional, and social development of young people.
     

With the official adoption of the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027, North Macedonia now has an up-to-date strategic and legislative framework in place to advance youth participation in both political and civil society spheres.

Scope and contents

The National Youth Strategy 2023–2027 addresses eight key thematic areas crucial to the well-being and development of young people:

  • Youth participation
  • Youth information
  • Youth work
  • Education
  • Culture
  • Health
  • Entrepreneurship and pre-employment support
  • Safety and protection from violence
     

The Strategy envisions impactful interventions at the national level, with special emphasis on supporting vulnerable categories of youth, including unemployed youth, NEETs (not in education, employment, or training), young people with low levels of education, and those facing geographical and financial obstacles.

The vision of the strategy, as outlined in its draft, states:

"Young people are the bearers of positive change and the key to the sustainability and development of society. They realize their needs and rights in a way that allows them to reach their full human potential."

To achieve this vision, the Strategy sets out five strategic goals:

1. Strengthened influence of young people in all decision-making processes at local and national levels, based on a solid legal framework;

2. Increased participation of young people in educational institutions, aiming to shape and apply modern, youth-tailored educational policies;

3. Improved youth engagement in the development and implementation of environmental protection policies;

4. Enhanced youth activism within the digital space;

5. Strengthened and sustainable youth sector, enabling youth organizations to act as equal partners with institutions in creating policies that improve the quality of life for young people.

The strategy is directed at all young people aged 15–29, with a strong focus on promoting youth activism among those with fewer opportunities.

Additionally, the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies provides a framework for structured youth engagement in policymaking through the establishment of several key bodies, including:

  • The National Youth Assembly

  • The National Advisory Body for Youth Policies

  • Local Youth Assemblies

  • Local Youth Councils
     

These mechanisms aim to ensure that young people have formal and meaningful channels to participate in shaping policies that affect their lives.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

The implementation and monitoring of progress under the National Youth Strategy is a shared responsibility of all state institutions identified within the respective thematic areas of the strategy. The operationalization of the strategy will be achieved through an Action Framework, which provides for the development of two action plans: one covering the period 2023–2025, and the other 2025–2027.

In line with the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies, the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth (former Agency for Youth and Sport) is responsible for drafting these action plans. This process must be conducted with prior input from the National Advisory Body for Youth, once it has been established. The action plans will be built upon clearly defined activities, aligned with the strategic goals and measures set out in the National Youth Strategy. Each activity will include the designation of responsible institutions and a financial projection to ensure the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementation.

The adoption of the action plans falls under the competence of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, while the implementation of the strategy itself is to be financed through the state budget.

This structured and accountable approach ensures that the strategy's vision and objectives are translated into concrete, measurable actions, supported by institutional commitment and adequate financial resources.

Monitoring and evaluation

Monitoring mechanisms play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of multi-annual policies, including the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027. In accordance with the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia prepares an annual report on the implementation of the NYS and its action plans, which is reviewed by the Parliament by June 30 of the following year. The Ministry of Social Policies, Demography and Youth, as the central coordinating body, monitors progress through the Youth Research Center, relying on the support of youth officers, youth centers, and municipal youth offices. As part of the monitoring process, annual thematic discussions are planned to be organized in Parliament in cooperation with the Club for Youth Affairs and Policies, while the Government will hold an annual session on youth policies with stakeholders from institutions, civil society, and international organizations. Indicators grouped by thematic areas—sourced from national and international data—serve as a key measure of progress and are updated at least twice a year by MSADY. Additionally, youth perception studies will be conducted mid-term (2025) and at the end of the strategy cycle (2027). The overall success of the NYS will be assessed through an external independent evaluation, commissioned by AYS within six months after the strategy's conclusion. This evaluation will objectively examine the achievement of strategic indicators and activities, institutional coordination, resource allocation, and youth participation to inform future youth policy development.

Despite these mechanisms being well-defined on paper, two years into the implementation period, none of the planned activities outlined in the NYS action plan have been meaningfully initiated. The lack of implementation raises concerns regarding the political will, institutional preparedness, and prioritization of youth issues. Without tangible progress or regular public reporting, the effectiveness and credibility of the strategy risk being undermined, and the youth sector continues to face uncertainty in realizing its full potential. Urgent action is required to operationalize the commitments made, ensure timely execution of the strategy, and restore the confidence of young people in public institutions.

Revisions/Updates

As of now, no revisions or updates have been made to the National Youth Strategy 2023–2027. The strategy remains in its original, officially adopted form. However, in line with good governance practices and to ensure relevance and responsiveness to emerging youth needs, future updates may be considered if necessary.