In partnership with three civil society organizations: the Foundation for Internet and Society Metamorphosis, the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), and the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM), EWMI implemented the USAID Civic Engagement Project in North Macedonia.
The project was a five-year initiative that supports Macedonian civil society and youth organizations to engage with citizens, the private sector, government stakeholders, and institutions on issues of public interest. The project supported civil society organizations (CSO) and CSO alliances that focus on priority issues of concern to the people of North Macedonia; assisted CSOs to promote dialogue; organized a yearlong LEAD (Lead, Engage, Act, Develop) Program that equipped motivated young people with skills that enabled them to work within their communities. CEP also provided opportunities for young men and women to participate in public life and decision-making processes on issues that affected their lives, their communities, and Macedonian society as a whole.
As part of the project, in the period 2016 – 2021, Metamorphosis implemented grant scheme and administered 18 grants to civil society organizations from North Macedonia.
Citizens Association FINANCE THINK, Institute for Economic Research and Policy, Skopje
Title: My money, my responsibility: Participative budgeting in the municipalities in Macedonia
Implementing period: May 15, 2017 – September 15, 2020
Description:
This project aims to strengthen the participation of local stakeholders—civil society, businesses, citizens, and media—in municipal budgeting processes to ensure more effective and transparent public spending. By engaging experienced members of the FISCAST network and Finance Think, the project promotes informed decision-making at the local level, raises citizen awareness about how municipal budgets impact everyday life, and enhances the accountability and credibility of local governments. Through collaboration and advocacy, the project supports more inclusive and responsible fiscal governance.
Association Transparency International – Macedonia
Title: Strengthening CSO’s platform in Fight against Corruption
Implementing period: May 15, 2017- May 14, 2020
Description:
The project aims to strengthen the role of Civil Society Organizations in North Macedonia’s fight against corruption by building their capacity to influence policy and promote transparency. Through a series of workshops, regular meetings, investigative journalism, and collaboration with government institutions and media, the project seeks to improve anti-corruption legislation and its implementation. Key activities include developing strategic advocacy plans, producing investigative stories, organizing conferences, and fostering stronger cooperation between civil society and public institutions to create a more accountable and transparent society.
Coalition of civil associations All for Fair Trials
Title: Legal, Financial and Physical Access to Justice in the Primary Courts in Macedonia
Implementing period: June 1,2018 -June 30, 2021
Description:
This project aims to improve access to justice and the quality of civil trials, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as socially deprived individuals and people with disabilities in Skopje, Gostivar, Bitola, and Shtip. By monitoring 800 civil cases across multiple courts, the project will assess court efficiency, transparency, and adherence to fair trial standards. It also evaluates the accessibility of court services for marginalized groups and promotes cost-effective, timely legal procedures. Through the establishment of four regional offices, the project seeks to increase citizen engagement with legal processes and strengthen institutional cooperation for more inclusive and accountable justice delivery.
Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA
Title: Strengthening Youth Engagement in Local Communities
Implementing period: Oct 1, 2017 – Sep 30, 2020
Description:
This grant award enables Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA to increase youth CSO influence towards citizen participation in local and national decision making. The project includes a variety of key activities designed to strengthen organizational capacity and promote advocacy efforts. These include organizing a conference to present research findings and outline upcoming initiatives; developing an internal resource database and intranet for improved information sharing; creating detailed action and financial plans aligned with strategic priorities; and onboarding new NGO members, particularly those focused on gender, inclusion, diversity, and rural development. Additionally, staff and members receive targeted training on gender mainstreaming, policy paper development, and advocacy skills. A core group of youth NGOs is formed to lead regional advocacy actions, while a comprehensive communication strategy and financial planning format are developed to support sustained organizational growth and impact.
Association Centre for Strategic Research and Documentation- FORUM
Title: Active Citizens for Good Governance
Implementing period: Jul 3, 2017 – Sep 30, 2020
Description:
This project aims to empower citizens—especially young people—to become active watchdogs in their communities by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to monitor local governance and initiate civic action. Through partnerships with local CSOs, the project organizes trainings that build participants’ capacity to evaluate public services, engage with municipal administrations, and implement community-based initiatives. By fostering local networks and encouraging collaboration, the project strengthens civic participation, promotes transparency, and supports long-term citizen involvement in decision-making processes at the municipal level.
Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of women- ESE
Title: Paths to Justice for Women Victims of Domestic Violence
Implementing period: Oct 1, 2017 – Sep 30, 2019
Description:
This project aims to enhance access to justice for women victims of domestic violence by improving the effectiveness of legal protections and support services. It focuses on assessing and advancing judicial proceedings, providing specialized legal and psychological assistance, and promoting systemic reforms in the civil and criminal justice systems. Through court monitoring, legal aid, advocacy campaigns, and the development of legal reform proposals, the project seeks to ensure more responsive institutions and empower victims to seek justice and protection.
Association for Education MLADIINFO INTERNATIONAL
Title: Youth Banks Network Macedonia
Implementing period: Oct 1, 2017 – Sep 30, 2019
Description:
This project supports youth empowerment in Macedonia by promoting an enabling legal, policy, and business environment through the innovative Youth Banks model. It establishes a national Youth Banks Network (YBN) to foster public debate and advocacy for youth employment, while building the capacities of CSOs and municipalities to create local Youth Banks. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and policy development, the project provides tailored support and promotes youth inclusion in local economic development. Over 4,000 young people will be reached through an 18-month national awareness campaign, and at least four Youth Bank Funds will be initiated at the local level to serve as sustainable mechanisms for youth-led employment initiatives.
PUBLIC – association for research, communications and development
Title: SEs connecting the dots: Economic Growth, Community Development and Social Inclusion
Implementing period: August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2020
Description:
The project focuses on empowering marginalized groups and enhancing social impact by conducting targeted field research in diverse municipalities and delivering capacity-building workshops on strategic planning, advocacy, and social entrepreneurship tailored for local CSOs and social enterprises. It promotes inclusive participation through regional conferences and study visits, strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through a final conference, roundtables, and multilingual research publications, the project raises awareness on social inclusion and economic opportunities for vulnerable communities. Supported by an active online presence and outreach campaigns, these activities foster broad engagement and sustainable change for marginalized populations.
Title: Mobilizing for Gender Equality
Implementing period: Jul 17, 2017 – Jul 14, 2020
Description:
The project aims to advance gender equality by mobilizing public support around effective policy solutions to improve public services and by strengthening the capacity of a coalition of women’s rights organizations to advocate for these policies. It enhances the ability of local municipalities to mainstream gender equality by monitoring and assessing their performance through a comprehensive Gender Equality Index. Over the course of the project, thousands of citizens are engaged through surveys and advocacy campaigns, while 81 municipalities receive tailored support to improve their services for women. Through collaborative efforts, annual coordinated initiatives, policy research, and accessible tools, the project fosters sustainable, inclusive change that better addresses the needs and rights of women across Macedonia.
Contemporary Art Center Skopje
Title: Creative communities
Implementing period: Mar 1, 2018 – Feb 28, 2021
Description:
This project aims to revitalize community spirit by empowering citizens to connect, collaborate, and take active roles in shaping their local environments. In many communities—especially smaller or rural ones—social bonds have weakened over the past two decades, with few shared events, limited support for local creativity, and minimal citizen engagement. The project addresses these gaps by fostering open, inclusive spaces for dialogue and action, strengthening the capacity of local organizations, and encouraging civic participation beyond political affiliations. Through this approach, it seeks to rebuild trust, highlight local values, and inspire joint community-driven initiatives.
Foundation Agro-Centre for Education
Title: Agroincluziva
Implementing period: Mar 1, 2018 – Feb 28, 2021
Description:
The project aims to increase the employability of people with disabilities in the agricultural sector across the Vardar, Pelagonia, and Polog regions of Macedonia by developing and promoting non-formal education programs. It focuses on strengthening the skills of individuals with disabilities and enhancing the capacity of companies to support inclusive employment. In parallel, the project advocates for necessary legal reforms to improve integration and equal opportunities. Through tailored training, company mentorship programs, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness efforts, the project creates a sustainable model for inclusive employment and social inclusion.
Title: Innovative social reforms for employment of marginalized groups
Implementing period: Mar 1, 2018 – Oct 30, 2020
Description:
This project aims to reduce long-term unemployment and social exclusion of marginalized groups—specifically substance users—by strengthening civil society’s role in work integration and advocating for inclusive local services. Through capacity building, occupational therapy programs, and strong partnerships between CSOs, public institutions, and the business sector, the project builds sustainable pathways to employment. It also promotes decentralization of social services and fosters policy dialogue to improve legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms. By empowering both individuals and organizations, the initiative works toward long-term social reintegration and economic participation of marginalized groups in Macedonia.
Local Community Development Foundation Stip
Title: Effective mechanism for civic participation
Implementing period: Mar 1, 2018 – Feb 28, 2021
Description:
This project aims to improve the quality of local public policies by strengthening the capacities of municipal councils and grassroots CSOs in Eastern Macedonia. By providing tailored training programs, the initiative enhances good governance practices among local councillors and equips CSOs with skills in public policy monitoring and advocacy. A key component of the project is the establishment of Advisory Bodies in eight municipalities, fostering participatory decision-making and stronger community engagement. Through structured cooperation, community actions, and targeted outreach efforts, the project empowers citizens to actively participate in shaping local policies and promotes more transparent and accountable local governance.
Association Women’s Forum Tetovo
Title: Improving citizens’ voice, especially woman’s voice, in local decision making process
Implementing period: Feb 20, 2018 – Feb 19, 2021
Description:
This project aims to raise awareness among citizens—particularly women—about their rights and the importance of participatory democracy for good governance and community development. Focusing on the Tetovo region, the initiative empowers women and rural communities to engage in local decision-making, strengthens cooperation between citizens and local authorities, and builds capacity to monitor municipal policies. Through training, field research, and the formation of Equal Opportunity Working Groups, the project fosters inclusive civic engagement and encourages municipalities to be more responsive and accountable to their communities.
Faculty of things that can’t be learned
Title: Active Community Spaces for Citizens Changes
Implementing period: Mar 1, 2018 – Feb 28, 2021
Description:
This project aims to foster a more open, just, and democratic society by strengthening civic engagement and local ownership of community spaces. Through sustainable management and inclusive governance models, it supports cultural centers in Skopje, Bitola, and Shtip to become vibrant hubs for local activism and dialogue. The project empowers citizens and local organizations to identify and creatively address community issues, while using art and culture as powerful tools for awareness, advocacy, and social change. By encouraging cooperation among residents, CSOs, and local authorities, the initiative builds long-term civic participation and community resilience.
Center for Civil Communications
Title: Public Spending for Public Good
Implementing period: April 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
Description:
The project aims to enhance the effectiveness of public spending in North Macedonia by reducing corruption and increasing transparency. It focuses on improving the legal and institutional framework for public procurement, strengthening the implementation of transparency regulations at both national and local levels, and empowering journalists, CSOs, and citizens to play an active oversight role. By building CCC’s organizational capacity and promoting modern monitoring and advocacy methods, the project seeks to influence legislation, raise public awareness, and foster a culture of accountability in managing public resources.
Title: Let’s save the soil from pollution
Implementing period: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019
Description:
Macedonia is committed to addressing soil pollution and protecting the environment, especially in regions heavily affected by industrial contamination such as Veles. This project focuses on educating farmers and local stakeholders on phytoremediation—a natural and cost-effective method to decontaminate soil polluted with heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and zinc. By developing a Strategy for Decontamination of Polluted Soil in Veles and extending these efforts to other municipalities, the project aims to promote sustainable agriculture, raise public awareness, and foster institutional collaboration for a healthier environment and safer food production.
Association Transparency International – Macedonia
Title: Strengthening of the capacities of the institutions in the fight against corruption
Implementing period: May 15, 2020- June 14, 2021
Description:
To support North Macedonia’s efforts in strengthening the rule of law, transparency, and the fight against corruption, this project fosters collaboration between three key state institutions: the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC), the State Audit Office (SAO), and the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors (AJPP). In partnership with the Anti-Corruption Platform (ACP) and Transparency International – Macedonia, the initiative enhances institutional capacities, promotes ethical standards, and strengthens oversight mechanisms. By improving training, procedures, and coordination between public institutions and civil society, the project contributes to more effective anti-corruption efforts aligned with EU integration priorities.
