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1. Intercontinental youth work cooperation

2. Development cooperation activities

Intercontinental youth work cooperation

Intercontinental youth work cooperation in North Macedonia is primarily supported through international mobility programmes and initiatives implemented in cooperation with foreign partners and international organisations.

A central role in this area is played by the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, which administers the Erasmus+ Programme. Through Erasmus+, young people and youth workers from North Macedonia participate in mobility projects, youth exchanges, training courses and volunteering activities with partners from both European and non-European countries. These actions enable participants to engage in learning experiences with an intercontinental dimension, strengthening intercultural understanding, global awareness and active citizenship. As a full Erasmus+ Programme Country, North Macedonia participates on equal footing with EU Member States and has access to all programme actions.

Intercontinental cooperation is also supported through the United States Peace Corps, which continues to operate in North Macedonia. The Peace Corps places American volunteers in local communities, where they work alongside civil society organisations, educational institutions and local authorities. A significant focus of the programme is on youth-related activities, including youth empowerment, education, community development and capacity building. The programme contributes to mutual cultural exchange and understanding, while supporting local initiatives addressing social, educational and developmental challenges. The Peace Corps is funded by the Government of the United States.

Another important actor in intercontinental youth cooperation is AIESEC, a global youth-led organisation present in North Macedonia through its national local committees. AIESEC provides young people, particularly students, with opportunities to participate in international exchanges, volunteering placements and professional internships worldwide. Its activities focus on leadership development, intercultural learning and engagement with global issues such as sustainability, social inclusion and responsible leadership. AIESEC’s activities are largely supported through partnerships with the private sector and international networks.

Development cooperation activities

There is limited publicly available information on development cooperation activities initiated at national level that explicitly target young people. Engagement in this field is predominantly driven by civil society organisations and international partners through project-based initiatives, often linked to international mobility, volunteering and youth work cooperation frameworks.