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1. Green volunteering

2. Green production and consumption

Green volunteering

There is still no dedicated national programme that systematically supports or coordinates green volunteering opportunities for young people in North Macedonia. Environmental volunteering is not embedded within formal school curricula, nor is it organised as a mandatory component of secondary education. As a result, youth engagement in green volunteering largely depends on non-formal and project-based initiatives implemented by civil society organisations.

Civil society remains the primary driver of youth engagement in environmental volunteering. Organisations such as Go Green, Eko-Život, Eko-logik, Eko-Vita and Zelen Okrug actively mobilise young people across the country to participate in activities related to climate action, environmental protection, waste management and air quality. These initiatives typically include clean-up actions, awareness-raising campaigns, local environmental advocacy and youth-led monitoring of environmental policies.

In recent years, youth environmental engagement in North Macedonia has evolved from primarily ad hoc volunteering activities towards more structured, capacity-building and advocacy-oriented forms of participation. In 2025, the National Youth Council of Macedonia developed the Handbook on Youth Environmental Activism within the framework of the Western Balkans Youth Policy Lab on the Green Agenda. The handbook translates complex environmental and policy concepts into youth-friendly language and provides practical guidance on youth participation in environmental decision-making, advocacy initiatives and dialogue with public institutions. It includes an overview of key environmental concepts, relevant legislation, advocacy tools, and information on young people’s rights and responsibilities, supporting young people to engage in environmental action and green volunteering in an informed and structured manner. The handbook is available in Macedonian (Long version / Short version) and Albanian (Long version / Short version), in both full and shortened versions, and has been disseminated to all secondary schools in North Macedonia.

In parallel, the organisation of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) North Macedonia 2025 further reinforced this shift by equipping young people with knowledge, skills and platforms to connect local environmental concerns with global climate processes. Collectively, these tools and initiatives support young volunteers not only as participants in environmental actions, but increasingly as informed advocates and partners capable of engaging with public institutions, municipalities and international processes.

Despite these positive developments, research conducted by civil society organisations indicates that young people still face significant barriers to engagement in green policies at local level. Studies show limited awareness of municipal environmental responsibilities, weak communication between youth and local authorities, and low familiarity with key planning documents such as Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs). Although many young people express willingness to participate in environmental initiatives and decision-making processes, opportunities for meaningful and sustained involvement remain uneven across municipalities.

Overall, green volunteering in North Macedonia continues to rely heavily on civil society initiatives and donor-funded projects. While youth interest in environmental action is growing and becoming more structured through advocacy tools, conferences and international linkages, further institutional support, local-level engagement mechanisms and integration into formal education and youth policies remain key challenges.

Green production and consumption

There are no national programmes or policy measures explicitly targeting young people (aged 15–29) in the area of green production and sustainable consumption. Existing initiatives supported by public institutions generally address either the general population or younger age groups, particularly primary school pupils.

Most activities promoting sustainable consumption, waste reduction and environmental responsibility are implemented by civil society organisations, private companies and social enterprises, often with support from governmental institutions, municipalities or international partners. These initiatives typically focus on recycling, waste separation, energy efficiency and awareness-raising on the environmental impact of everyday consumption patterns.

In recent years, youth-oriented projects have increasingly combined education with practical action. Civil society initiatives targeting secondary school and university students have addressed topics such as circular economy, air pollution, energy efficiency and climate education, linking personal consumption choices with broader environmental and climate challenges. These projects emphasise experiential learning, peer education and local advocacy rather than large-scale national campaigns.

Although these efforts contribute to raising awareness among young people, the absence of a coordinated policy framework and long-term public funding limits their sustainability and reach. Strengthening youth-focused measures on green production and consumption would require clearer policy recognition, stronger cooperation with educational institutions and municipalities, and more consistent support for youth-led environmental initiatives.