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1. Policy framework

2. Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

3. Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

4. Quality assurance

Policy framework

Single public institution responsible for cross-border learning mobility in Republic of North Macedonia is the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility, established by Law adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia in 2007.

The aim of the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility is to promote and implement the European educational programs into the Republic of North Macedonia.

Program beneficiaries are: learners, students, teachers, professors, educators and other personnel engaged in any stage of educational process, enterprises and other legal bodies including commercial entities, chambers of commerce and other associations of legal bodies in the field of industry, research centers and bodies, as well as citizen associations and foundations. 

The Law for establishing the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility (Закон за основање на Национална агенција за европски образовни програми и мобилност) was brought in 2007 and has undergone several amendments, of which the latest in February 2018. The Law states the importance of the programs in the way of contributing to developing a community based on knowledge, creating better jobs and improving social cohesion, promotes lifelong learning, improves creativity, competency and the rise of an enterprising spirit, promotes language diversity, contributes in acquiring new skills, qualifications and knowledge in young people through informal learning etc.

The Law also describes Program for Lifelong learning 2007-2013 consists of subcomponents Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Grunting, Jean Monnet and the Transversal subprogram.

The Lifelong Learning program expired and within the project "Strengthening lifelong learning through the modernization of the vocational education and training system and adult education" the first National Strategy for Lifelong Learning 2018-2022 was prepared. The main beneficiary of this project, which is implemented by the British Council and its partners from the consortium, is the Ministry of Education and Science.

Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

Since 2014 North Macedonia is Erasmus+ programme country.  Erasmus+ program encompasses European educational programs in North Macedonia, implemented by the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility. Under the key action 1, Erasmus+ Program supports mobility of individuals:

• Mobility of learners and staff: opportunities for students, trainees, young people and volunteers, as well as for professors, teachers, trainers, youth workers, staff of education institutions and civil society organizations to undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another country;
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees: high-level integrated international study programs delivered by consortia of higher education institutions that award full degree scholarships to the best master students worldwide;

Mobility projects in the field of education, training and youth

The following types of mobility projects are supported under Key Action 1 of the Erasmus+ Program:

In the field of Education and Training:

Mobility project for higher education students and staff:

Student mobility:

• A study period abroad at a partner higher education institution (HEI);
• A traineeship (work placement) abroad in an enterprise or any other relevant workplace;
• Duration of project:  
  1. mobility between Program Countries: 16 or 24 months;
  2. mobility between Program and Partner Countries: 16 or 26 months.
• Eligible participants:  
  1. students registered in a HEI and enrolled in studies leading to a recognized degree or another recognized tertiary level qualification (up to and including the level of doctorate). In case of mobility for studies, the student must be enrolled at least in the second year of higher education studies. For traineeships, this condition does not apply.
  2. Recent higher education graduates may participate in a traineeship. Recent graduates must be selected by their HEI during their last year of study, and must carry out and complete their traineeship abroad within one year of obtaining their graduation.

Mobility project for VET learners and staff:

Learners' mobility:

• A VET traineeship abroad for up to 12 months;
• Duration of project: 1 to 2 years. The applicant must choose the duration at application stage, based on the objective of the project and on the type of activities planned
• Eligible participants:  
  1. Apprentices or VET students (whose studies typically include work-based learning) resident in the country of the sending organization. Persons accompanying VET learners abroad, and
  2. Recent graduates of a VET school or company (i.e. former apprentices) may also participate in the activity. Recent graduates must undertake their training placement abroad within one year of their graduation.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)

The Erasmus Mundus program is intended for students at master level, offering them full degree scholarships for their participation in one of this EMJMD programs. It is a high level integrated international study program of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The student scholarship is awarded exclusively for a full-time enrolment in one of the Master courses and will cover the entire duration of the EMJMD study program. Eligible participants are students at Master level who have obtained a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognized equivalent level of learning according to national legislation and practices in the degree awarding countries. The EMJMD student scholarships will include student participation costs (including the tuition fees, full insurance coverage and any other mandatory costs related to student participation in the course), a contribution to student travel and installation cost and a subsistence allowance for the entire duration of the EMJMD study program.

On 27 June EU ambassadors confirmed an agreement between the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council and European Parliament representatives on a legal framework for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and a related budget for the period 2018-2020.

On 27 September 2018 the European Council formally adopted the ESC regulation that had been previously approved by the European Parliament on the 11 September 2018. The new regulation entered into force on 5 October 2018.

On 18 June 2021 the new European Solidarity Corps programme was launched in Viana do Castelo (PT), within the framework of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU at a hybrid event with an audience of young people and representatives from the EU institutions.

Government of Republic of North Macedonia lunched web page http://www.stipendii.mon.gov.mk/ where interested young people can find information about scholarship opportunities for studying abroad, but also for attending different courses and seminars. This website from 2018 is taken down for unknown reasons. All the information about scholarships are transferred to the website of the Ministry of Education and Science. (Министерство за образование и наука - Конкурси)

CEEPUS- Central European Exchange Program for University Studies

Republic of North Macedonia is a signatory of the Agreement for promotion and cooperation in higher education through CEEPUS. The Program enables high education institutions to participate as partners in 36 networks of different fields. In the frames of these networks, students from first, second and third degree, as well as professors, have the possibility to apply for scholarships for study stay abroad.

Fulbright educational exchange program

Fulbright educational exchange program is a joint program of the U.S. Department of State and the Macedonian Government. Scholarships are divided in different categories and programs such as academic, professional, and cultural exchange programs which engage youth, students, educators, professionals, artists, athletes, and rising leaders in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

The Erasmus+ program entails a component in the field of youth, specifically designed for young people and youth workers.

Mobility project for young people and youth workers:

Two types of projects can be supported under this Action:

• Mobility projects for young people and youth workers that can include Youth Exchanges, European Voluntary Service and/or Youth Workers activities, and
• Mobility projects for young people focusing on European Voluntary Service activities for experienced EVS Coordinating Organizations.

Mobility of young people:

• Youth Exchanges:

Youth Exchanges allow groups of young people from at least two different countries to meet and live together for up to 21 days. During a Youth Exchange, participants, supported by group leaders, jointly carry out a work program designed and prepared by them before the Exchange. The learning process in Youth Exchanges is triggered by methods of non-formal education.

• European Voluntary Service:

This activity allows young people aged 17-30 to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary service for up to 12 months in another country within or outside the European Union. Young people with fewer opportunities can receive additional support to enable their participation and would also be allowed to go on EVS for a shorter duration of time (from 2 weeks and up).

CSO’s are usually the main actors when it’s coming to non-formal education and giving mobility opportunities (short or long-EVS) for young people to go abroad for trainings, seminars and conferences, but formal educational institutions are also recognizing the importance of non-formal education and beside Erasmus Mundus programmes they are also offering different non-formal educational opportunities for students (such as summer schools) although in a smaller range than CSO’s. information about mobility opportunities can be found on their web pages.

Quality assurance

The National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility has an ISO certificate and Quality Assurance Policy issued in 2017. The certificate states that the Agency strives to ensure high and consistent quality in promoting and implementing European programs in the areas of education, training, youth and sport in the Republic of North Macedonia.