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1. Fostering equality and young people involvement through cultural activities

2. Combating discrimination and poverty through cultural activities

Fostering equality and young people involvement through cultural activities

Promoting equality and active participation of young people in culture is a clear priority in national youth and cultural policies. The National Youth Strategy 2023–2027 identifies Culture as one of its eight strategic areas and highlights inclusion of marginalized youth, strengthening creative skills, and supporting cultural entrepreneurship.

The Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism 2025–2027 further reinforces these aims, with goals such as supporting youth-led cultural initiatives, increasing regional cultural access, and encouraging independent youth production.

Concrete measures include:

• Public calls in 2025 opening more than 1 300 cultural projects for funding, including a specific priority line for young creators and inclusive cultural initiatives.

• Establishment of regional multimedia youth cultural centres in cities outside Skopje, providing rehearsal spaces, exhibition areas and performance stages for young artists.

• Partnerships with international organisations such as UNFPA and UNDP to engage youth from ethnic minorities, rural communities and persons with disabilities through arts, cultural entrepreneurship and heritage initiatives.

• Expansion of digital cultural access, where museums and cultural institutions offer online programmes, virtual exhibitions and youth-friendly platforms to reduce barriers related to mobility, distance or cost.

These developments shift the role of young people from passive cultural consumers to active creators, organisers and cultural entrepreneurs, strengthening equality and representation in cultural life.

Combating discrimination and poverty through cultural activities

Culture is increasingly used as a tool to promote social cohesion and reduce exclusion. The National Youth Strategy 2023–2027 links cultural participation with youth work, civic engagement and social inclusion, ensuring young people with fewer opportunities can access cultural resources.

Recent initiatives include:

• The 2025 grant scheme “Culture for Development”, designed to support inclusive cultural production led by young people, with a focus on Roma youth, young women, youth with disabilities and rural creators. Guidelines for the most recent call were published by HeaRTfact.

• The regional initiative “Balkan Mosaic – Youth Culture Routes”, enabling cross-community cultural collaboration and local cultural tourism projects in economically underdeveloped areas.

• Municipal youth cultural grants integrated into local development plans, supporting community-based festivals, outdoor theatre, creative workshops, and street art programmes in neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty or social exclusion.

• Cooperation between youth CSOs and cultural institutions to organise free or low-cost cultural events, creative labs, and inclusive arts education.

These measures contribute to reducing social barriers, ensuring that culture becomes a mechanism for equality, participation and social justice, particularly for young people facing discrimination or economic hardship.