As part of TechSoup’s Digital Activism Program, Metamorphosis Foundation implemented the Digital Activism Accelerator to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations in North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. From 2024 to 2025, Metamorphosis administered 18 small-scale and collaborative grants, supporting local initiatives aimed at advancing digital civic engagement in the region.
In North Macedonia, we have supported Contemporary Art Center, HERA, Inkluziva, Kanal 77 and Star Star. Kanal 77, Contemporary Art Center and Centre for Investigative Journalism SCOOP Macedonia, were awarded with collaborative grant.
Contemporary Art Center implemented two small action grants.
Tittle: Art Against Fake News
Implementing period: 01/03/2024 – 31/08/2024
Description:
Main idea of the project was to contribute in declining of fake news and disinformation in North Macedonia through use of creative approach in communications and artistic activism. Also, another achieved result of the project is that Contemporary Art Center managed to include and increase interest of artists to join battle with fake news. In fact, Contemporary Art Center’s goal was to use elements of surprise, direct pointing on topics, engaged art in public space that provoke emotions to activate people to start thinking is everything they see online or receive from media actual truth or behind sweet packages of lies bitter truth is sometimes hidden. As mentioned above, through the 3 actions Contemporary Art Center implemented in the framework of this project, Contemporary Art Center managed to mobilize large number of citizens (according to our estimation between 20-30,000 people saw the actions) about problems with fake news, but also Contemporary Art Center managed to mobilize artists to think about including the topics of fake news and disinformation in their art works in the future which will significantly increase visibility of the problems that Contemporary Art Center are targeting. Overall, Contemporary Art Center succeed to make people start asking themselves about dangers of fake narratives and make them suspicious especially about unknown sources that are placing different (dis)information in public sphere.
Tittle: Fake News – Warning Common People
Implementing period: 15/10/2024 – 01/03/2025
Description:
The Local Action Plan for the “Fake News Warning Common People” project brought about several significant results, both in terms of raising awareness and fostering societal engagement with the issues of fake news, disinformation, and personal data protection in North Macedonia. The project successfully contributed to diminishing the impact of fake news through its innovative use of artistic activism. By employing public art interventions in high-traffic areas, the project was able to directly engage a broad audience, including individuals from the target demographic of people aged 40 and above, who are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and data theft. The emotional and engaging nature of the artwork was effective in capturing the attention of the public and sparking important conversations about the risks associated with consuming unverified information and sharing personal data online. One of the most notable outcomes was the mobilization of artists to contribute to the battle against fake news. The project not only raised awareness among the general public but also stimulated interest among local artists to incorporate these critical issues into their future work. Through the workshops and public calls, the initiative successfully expanded the network of artists involved, creating a ripple effect that will likely influence the content and direction of local art in the future, leading to more works addressing misinformation and data privacy. The artworks, strategically placed in busy urban locations, made a lasting impression, ensuring that the themes of media literacy, data protection, and the dangers of disinformation were embedded in the public consciousness.
HERA
Tittle: Using Media to Counter Anti-gender Narratives
Implementing period: 01/04/2024 – 30/09/2024
Description:
The Local Action successfully increased awareness and visibility regarding gender equality and CSE by providing fact-based, relatable stories that challenged ingrained stereotypes. Through its combination of traditional media articles and social media reels, the campaign fostered public dialogue on these critical issues, particularly among parents and youth. The journalists’ articles provided a professional, well-researched perspective on gender equality and state policies, which helped elevate the level of public discourse on these topics. At the same time, the influencers’ reels allowed for a more informal, relatable discussion around the same themes, engaging younger audiences who may not typically interact with traditional media. As a result, the campaign helped improve the media literacy of the general public, leading to a broader understanding of gender issues and successfully countering disinformation spread by anti-gender movements.
Inkluziva
Tittle: See The Person, Not The Disability
Implementing period: 15/03/2024 – 30/09/2024
Description:
Inkluziva created 2 videos (one with Macedonian subtitles and one with Albanian subtitles), in which positive examples of successful people with disabilities in various fields were promoted, through which stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices towards people with disabilities are reduced, in relation to the disinformation that this group of citizens is incapable. In the videos for the campaign, the speakers are people with disabilities, who point out the problems and challenges they face and give an example of how they should be overcome. Through the inclusion of the media, media workers’ awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities was strengthened, of the need to promote positive perceptions, i.e. their awareness of the need for a greater presence of persons with disabilities in the media space and public life, as well as for media content accessibility standards. On the other hand, the videos in which the speakers were successful people with disabilities strengthened their confidence and the visibility of their potentials.
Kanal 77
Tittle: (Cmon) Inform me!
Implementing period: 01/03/2024 – 31/08/2024
Description:
Kanal 77 made a contribution to the creation of an informed audience, which realistically looks at the situation in society, which makes judgments based on facts and accurate information. The production of journalistic materials included detecting, monitoring and analyzing the most common domestic disinformation, as well as those shared in the Macedonian media and among Macedonian users on social networks, and coming through foreign channels, or referring to disinformation from other spaces. 8 short TikTok videos were prepared and produced. Audio materials have an average audience of 250,000 listeners per week and some of the published materials were in the top 10 most read on www.mms.mk.
Star Star
Tittle: Sex Workers Countering Disinformation in North Macedonia
Implementing period: 01/03/2024 – 30/06/2024
Description:
Video Campaign and Marketing Strategy was developed which enhanced Star-Star’s ability to identify and respond to disinformation. This framework would serve as a model for future initiatives, ensuring a more structured and effective approach to digital activism. Social Media Video Campaign was conducted and five short videos (shorts) were produced and published countering the monitored cases of disinformation among digital users. The project contributed towards strengthening organizational capacities for countering disinformation, and furthermore contributed towards a meaningful change in both the digital and social spaces, creating a more supportive environment for sex workers and setting a precedent for future initiatives aimed at countering disinformation and promotion of the human rights of sex workers in North Macedonia.
Kanal 77, Contemporary Art Center and Centre for Investigative Journalism SCOOP Macedonia implemented collaborative grant.
Tittle: Disinformation – creative blurring of the mind
Implementing period: 01/03/2024 – 31/08/2024
Description: As a result of the joint action, we’ve conducted a journalistic research and published three stories on the three topics of this project: Disinformation narratives about the European Union, vaccines and climate change, which was an activity of the Center for investigative journalism SCOOP Macedonia (SCOOP). Then, the activities of the other two partners in the project took place – the Contemporary Art Center (CAC) worked on the preparation and organizing of art installations for the three disinformation narratives, while the national radio Kanal 77 prepared two podcasts and a two-hour show “Stadium”. Based on SCOOP’s research on the most common disinformation narratives, in three different periods of time, three installations were set up in Skopje on locations where there are frequent passers-by.
The above work in CEE is supported by Google.org and led by TechSoup in close collaboration with TechSoup Network’s partners.
