Through the Youth Fund of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe, We are supporting regional projects that will contribute to the improvement of youth activism, participation and policy making skills at the local and national level. We are increasing the political participation of women, empowering young people for changes in the community, for dialogue, fostering peace and integration, advocating for a green future and the Youth Guarantees.
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE is funded by European Union.
PROJECT: Local engagement, activism and participation
Organization: LEAD – Association Leaders for Education, Activism and Development (Здружение Лидери за едукација, активизам и развој Скопје), North Macedonia.
Project: LEAP – Local engagement, activism and participation.
Overall Objective: The overall objective of this project is to enhance the political participation and inclusion of young people in society by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to engage effectively in political processes, particularly at the local level. The objective focuses on cultivating a culture of active citizenship and democratic participation among young people in North Macedonia.
Key results achieved:
- Two innovative civic education tools for youth were developed – the online simulation game “You(th) Rule/Mayor” (available on the following link https://gradonachalnik.lead.org.mk/) and the “Localize Yourself” simulation game on local governance and inclusive decision-making
- Increased the political literacy and understanding of local governance among 167 young people who participated in eight “Localize Yourself” simulation sessions across eight municipalities in North Macedonia (Kumanovo, Veles, Kavadarci, Makedonski Brod, Gostivar, Skopje, Bitola and Ohrid), gaining practical insight into how local governments function, how policies are shaped, and how citizens can influence decision-making processes.
- Digital pocket manual for young voters was created and promoted, providing clear, simple information about local government, elections, voter registration, and how to make an informed choice, helping first-time voters participate with confidence
- 50 young people from all regions of North Macedonia gained practical knowledge of municipal competences and local policy areas, and developed skills in deliberation and consensus-building through a three-day Youth Civic Assembly in Veles, resulting in 49 policy recommendations for future mayors were developed and disseminated to political parties, youth wings, and other relevant stakeholders ahead of the local elections in North Macedonia
- Through four podcast episodes, awareness was raised among young peoplein in North Macedonia about the importance of voting, the role of their voice in shaping electoral programs, the presence of politics in the classroom, as well as innovative approaches such as gamification in political education.
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The Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“
The Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“ is a FSTP (financial support to third parties) i.e. sub-granting activity of the three-year regional project „Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe“ (RYDE), funded by the European Union in the period 2023-2026 through EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme in favour of the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2021-2023 (IPA III). The RYDE project is being implemented by the Center for Democracy Foundation from Serbia as a lead partner in cooperation with the partnering civil society organizations from the Western Balkans: Academy of European Integrations and Negotiations (Albania), Youth Act Center (Albania), Kosovar Stability Initiative (Kosovo*), Network of Progressive Initiatives (Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Info Center Foundation (North Macedonia) and Regional Academy for Democratic Development (Serbia).
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
