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1. Main concepts

2. Youth interest in global issues

Main concepts

Young people in the Republic of North Macedonia show growing awareness of global challenges, although their interest is often shaped by local realities and personal opportunities. According to the latest Research on Youth Trends (2022), young people are primarily interested in education, skills development and mobility opportunities abroad, while international news and global political affairs are followed less frequently. This suggests that global issues are often perceived through their direct impact on young people’s future prospects rather than as abstract international processes.

At the same time, research indicates high levels of digital engagement among young people, with online platforms serving as a key source of information and a space for discussing social, environmental and global topics. This digital environment plays an important role in shaping youth awareness, mobilisation and participation in global discussions.

Youth interest in global issues

Climate change and environmental protection have become among the most prominent global issues for young people. In 2025, young people organised the first Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) North Macedonia in Skopje, bringing together youth from across the country to discuss national environmental priorities and contribute to a National Youth Statement ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). Supported by UNICEF, the initiative strengthened youth engagement in global climate processes and linked local concerns with international advocacy.

More broadly, youth engagement with global issues primarily takes place through non-formal education, digital activism and participation in international programmes such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. These opportunities enable young people to take part in exchanges, volunteering activities and policy-oriented discussions beyond national borders. In parallel, many youth organisations are active in regional and international advocacy initiatives addressing environmental sustainability, human rights and social justice, including public campaigns and online movements calling for stronger environmental and civic policies.

Overall, although there is no single institutional framework guiding youth engagement with global issues at the national level, young people in North Macedonia increasingly relate global challenges — such as climate change, sustainability, human rights, employment and economic security — to their everyday experiences and future opportunities. Their engagement reflects a combination of global awareness and local relevance, expressed through both domestic initiatives and international platforms.