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1. Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

2. Public financial support

3. Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

Legal/policy framework for the functioning and development of youth organisations

The Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies (Закон за младинско учество и младински политики), adopted in January 2020, provides the foundational legal framework for the establishment, operation, and development of youth organizations in North Macedonia. It distinguishes between three main types of organizations operating in the youth sector: youth organizations, organizations for youth, and youth umbrella organizations.

A youth organization is defined as an association registered under the Law on Associations and Foundations (Закон за здруженија и фондации), in which at least two-thirds of the highest decision-making body are young people aged 15 to 29, and whose mission and activities are explicitly aimed at promoting youth interests. In contrast, an organization for youth includes entities that support youth-related objectives but are not primarily youth-led. These may include youth branches of political parties, youth sections of trade unions, or other entities where youth-targeted programming is part of broader organizational goals.

A youth umbrella organization serves as a collective platform, uniting various youth organizations to pursue common goals in areas of shared interest. According to the law, to gain this status, an umbrella organization must:

• Include at least ten member organizations from a minimum of five out of the eight planning regions of North Macedonia;

• Ensure that two-thirds of the members of its highest governing body are young people;

• Be registered in compliance with the Law on Associations and Foundations.
   

Youth umbrella organizations are granted several key functions, including:

• Participation in the development of laws, policy documents, and strategic frameworks;

• Involvement in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of youth policies;

• Providing support and representation for youth organizations nationwide;

• Proposing policy measures to relevant institutions;

• Conducting research and analysis related to youth development;

• Engaging in activities outlined in their statutes and relevant bylaws.

The general legal context for all civil society organizations (CSOs), including youth organizations, continues to be regulated by the Law on Associations and Foundations, which outlines procedures for establishment, registration, property rights, and oversight of CSOs.

Public financial support

Public Financial Support for Youth Organizations Public funding for youth organizations remains limited and inconsistent, with significant variation across government institutions and municipalities. While both national and international sources contribute to the financial support of youth civil society, international donors continue to provide a greater share of funding.

Until 2022, financial support for civil society organizations was allocated by the General Secretariat of the Government. However, following a government decision, for the second consecutive year—including in 2023—these funds have been distributed through the Ministry of Inter-Community Relations (former Political System and Inter-Community Relations). Despite this shift, there is no publicly available information on the implementation or results of the 2023 call, as the old Ministry’s official website remains non-functional and lacks transparency in publishing relevant data.

In 2024, due to institutional and structural reforms, the Agency for Youth and Sport was restructured—resulting in the formation of a separate Ministry of Sport, while the youth sector was transferred to the newly established Ministry of Social Policies, Demography and Youth (formerly the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs). As a result of this transition, no funds were allocated for youth-related projects that year. In comparison, in 2023, the Agency for Youth and Sport allocated a total of 5,600,000.00 MKD to support projects implemented by youth organizations, organizations for youth, and youth umbrella organizations. These projects aimed to address key areas such as youth engagement, youth initiatives, youth information, improving quality of life, and employment and pre-employment support.

On the international level, several stakeholders remain active in supporting youth civil society organizations (CSOs) in North Macedonia. Key contributors include the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility, which oversees access to Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps; the Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia; and various foreign embassies—such as those of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—that provide project-based funding focused on youth empowerment, democratic participation, education, and employment. However, it is important to note that USAID has withdrawn its financial support, leading to a notable gap in international funding for youth-related initiatives.

Initiatives to increase the diversity of participants

At present, there is a lack of publicly available information regarding specific initiatives aimed at increasing the diversity of participants.