News from CSOs

Skopje/Dubrovnik – Finance Think – Economic Research & Policy Institute, Skopje, and the University of Dubrovnik’s Center for Research of Digital Transformation (CREDO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in research, capacity building, and academic exchange.
The MoU, signed on March 18, 2025, by Dr. Blagica Petreski, CEO and Chief Economist of Finance Think, and Prof. Dr. Nebojša Stojčić, Founder of CREDO and Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, establishes a framework for joint initiatives in economics, public policy, and digital transformation.
As two leading institutions recognized for their excellence in economic research and digital transformation, this partnership brings together Finance Think’s expertise in data-driven policy analysis and evidence-based economic solutions with CREDO’s cutting-edge research in digital transformation, business innovation, and economic competitiveness.
Under this agreement, both institutions will join forces in several key areas to advance research and knowledge exchange. A strong emphasis will be placed on joint research projects, where Finance Think and CREDO will collaborate on high-impact studies in economics, public policy, and digital transformation. Recognizing the importance of capacity building, they will design and deliver specialized training programs, workshops, and seminars aimed at equipping researchers, students, and professionals with cutting-edge skills and insights. In addition, the partnership will enhance international collaboration through Erasmus+ and other EU-funded initiatives, facilitating staff exchanges, joint project applications, and coordinated implementation efforts. The two institutions will also prioritize knowledge sharing, ensuring the open exchange of research findings, data, and academic resources to drive innovation and strengthen their respective fields. Finance Think and CREDO will work closely on academic and policy engagement, co-organizing conferences, producing joint publications, and contributing to evidence-based policymaking.
“As a leading research institute dedicated to shaping economic policies through rigorous analysis, Finance Think is excited to collaborate with CREDO. Together, we will advance research and capacity-building efforts that contribute to economic resilience, digital innovation, and sustainable development in the region,” said Dr. Blagica Petreski, CEO of Finance Think.
Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Dr. Nebojša Stojčić, Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, stated, “This partnership marks an important step in enhancing regional cooperation in economic and digital transformation research. Both Finance Think and CREDO have built strong reputations for excellence, and by combining our expertise, we aim to drive meaningful policy impact and support academic development in our respective fields.”
The MoU is effective immediately and will remain in force for three years, with the possibility of renewal. Both institutions are committed to leveraging their strengths to foster innovation, research excellence, and cross-border academic cooperation.

It is our pleasure to share with you the Education for Europe consortium research (ES-BAL MAE-supported project) on education for decision-makers in the Western Balkans: REPORT on North Macedonia. You can find the report at the link below.

Except from the Study:

Short history of the education system of North Macedonia

The tradition of the education system in North Macedonia is a continuation of the model and traditions established in the former socialist federation of Yugoslavia and, before that, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The system in Yugoslavia was essentially emulating the continental model, the German and French with its “lycées” or “gymnasiums” of 4 years finishing with baccalaureates or Abitur (called “Matura” in all of the languages of the former Federation) and then, on the level of tertiary education, a minimum of 8 semester BA level studies [REF]. It is important to note here, that in spite of the country being a member of the Bologna process (European Higher Education Area, abbreviated EHEA) for 19 years now, and having adopted the 3+2 model, it still maintains the old tradition and the variant of 4+1 is still existing and highly popular, in particular at the public universities and their humanities departments.  The oldest higher education institution is the University of Skopje “St Cyril and Methodius” (abbreviated as UKIM), established a bit over a hundred years ago with the establishment of the Faculty of philosophy and the departments of Classics and Philosophy at its inception.  Sadly, a mass “exodus” of students, studying primarily in the former Yugoslav republics, now EU member states, Slovenia and Croatia more specifically, has resulted in a dramatically decreased number of enrolled students both at Skopje University, which has affected its international rank, as well as at the other universities.

The available statistics concerning number of students in the country are for the academic year 2021/2022 and the total of enrollments is 51.582.[1] In spite of the fact that this number is higher by 1.4% compared to the previous years, the drop of students is constant. For the sake of comparison, which is by 12.000 less compared to 10 years ago. North Macedonia has been a full member of the Bologna process since 2003 (or the European Higher Education Area), has reformed its system accordingly, employs the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and is a full program member of the Erasmus+ Program. It is one of the 6 full members of the Erasmus program that are not EU member states, next to Serbia, Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland, Turkey.[2] It is integrated fully in the ENIC/NARIC system which allows an overview of all accredited institutions and performs recognition and equivalence of ECTS, diplomas and diploma supplements.[3]

Many of the private universities offer programs in English, and international collaborative programs or joint degrees, such as University American College Skopje which holds both national (EHEA) accreditation as well as American accreditation. Consider Euro-College which offers studies jointly with Metropolitan University from London UK, in addition to other examples which are, however, in decreased compared to 15 years ago when branches of NYC Educational Group, Sheffield and other international universities were active in the country. In spite of the pronounced international component, public universities are still more popular in N. Macedonia, and the vast majority of those enrolled in 2021-2022 are students at the public universities, namely 82.6 % of them.

[1] Source, State Bureau of Statistics “Enrolled Students in the Higher Education Institutions in Republic of North Macedonia in the academic year of 2021/2022 (first study cycle) [“Запишани студенти на високите стручни школи и факултетите во Република Северна Македонија во академската 2021/2022 година (прв циклус на студии)”], available at https://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziSoopstenie.aspx?rbrtxt=29, accessed 23 October 2022.

[2] Source: Erasmus+ EU programme for education, training, youth and sport: Eligible Countries, available at https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-a/eligible-countries, accessed on 23 October 2022.

[3] ENIC-NARIC: North Macedonia: National Information Centres, Informativen Centar – Ministerstvo za Obrazovanie i Nauka Informative Center – Ministry of Education and Science, https://www.enic-naric.net/page-North-Macedonia, accessed on 23 October 2022.

At the invitation of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Mila Josifovska Danilovska, Program Manager at the Metamorphosis Foundation, was a speaker at the roundtable on the topic: “Digitalization of Public Administration in the Context of European Integration—Advantages and Challenges” which was held on March 6, 2025 in Skopje.
Together with Stanislav Vasilkovski from the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Valentin Fetadzhokoski from the Personal Data Protection Agency, Josifovska Danilovska gave an overview of the state of digitalization of public administration in the Republic of North Macedonia, from the perspective of the civil sector and state institutions.

Source: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
Key challenges in digital transformation
In her presentation, Josifovska Danilovska emphasized that digitalization should not be seen only as part of the European integration process, but as a fundamental reform that will bring improvement in public services and increase the quality of life of citizens. She noted that the new EU Growth Plan sets specific obligations and deadlines in the area of ​​digitalization that the state must meet in order to ensure continued progress.
Josifovska Danilovska pointed out that cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges, which, among other things, requires harmonization of legislation with the NIS2 Directive, and the establishment and operationalization of national and government CERTs in accordance with EU standards, in order to enable a high level of cybersecurity for comprehensive protection and further development of society.
In addition, she emphasized the need for alignment with the EU Digital Identity Regulation and eIDAS2, as well as the implementation of a single document management system in all state institutions. Josifovska Danilovska added that without interoperability, digital literacy and functional e-services , digital transformation will not yield real results. She placed particular emphasis on the importance of the need for a Digital Identity Wallet aligned with EU standards and the needs of citizens, with the aim of secure, fast and unified access to public and private e-services, facilitating cross-border recognition of digital documents and increasing trust, security and efficiency in citizens’ digital transactions.

Source: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
Digital literacy and open data—key factors for successful digitalization
Josifovska Danilovska emphasized that digital literacy is one of the prerequisites for a successful digital transformation. Without digitally literate citizens and public administration, digitalization will not yield effective results. She emphasized that a strategic approach to digital literacy is needed, through formal and informal education, tailored educational activities and mass awareness-raising campaigns, in order for citizens to understand and benefit from the benefits of digitalization.
Related to the introduction of AI-based solutions in the delivery of public services, Metamorphosis conducted research on the impact of AI on human rights, analyzing European and international regulations and ethical standards. Josifovska Danilovska emphasized that, before applying AI in the public sector, it is necessary to establish clear strategies and policies that will ensure that the technology does not have a negative impact on human rights, especially in automated decision-making. She also spoke about the importance of harmonizing with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, adopting ethical standards for the creation and use of AI, as well as signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of open data for a successful digital transformation. Open data is not only important for transparency, but also because artificial intelligence-based systems only improve if they have access to relevant information and data. In this regard, she emphasized the need to adopt and implement a Law on Open Data and Reuse of Data in the Public Sector, in line with the EU Open Data Directive (2019/1024/ EU).
“All these processes directly affect citizens. Therefore, we believe that institutions should be open to cooperation with the civil sector, which offers expertise to support reforms and access to different categories of citizens—from the phase of designing policies and solutions, to their implementation and evaluation. Only in this way can we build a digitally strengthened ecosystem that will truly serve citizens,” concluded Josifovska Danilovska.

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It is necessary to strengthen the transparency and oversight of paid political advertising among online media outlets during the election campaign. This is the basic premise from which the implementation of the project “Money, Media and Elections in North Macedonia” began, which was implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) together with the Metamorphosis Foundation. As a culmination of the implementation of the project activities, on March 4 and 5, 2025, in Skopje, the international conference “Clicks, Money and Influence: Online Media’s Roles and Responsibilities in Elections” was held.
In her opening speech, Ioana Cosma, IFES Country Director, emphasized that the goal of this event is to facilitate the exchange of international good practices and regulations for the supervision of political campaigns and online media outlets during elections, as well as to see whether some of those practices can be incorporated into the national practice and legal framework.
In his welcoming speech, Metamorphosis Executive Director Bardhyl Jashari noted that the implementation identified critical gaps and weaknesses in political paid advertising among online media outlets during the election campaign for the parliamentary elections.
Within the session “ Countdown to elections in North Macedonia: How to Strengthen the Transparency and Oversight of Paid Political Advertising during Media Campaign, including on Internet Portals?” there was a discussion on possible ways to improve the oversight, reporting, and transparency of internet portals during elections—a review of the current regulatory, ethical, and practical challenges regarding future elections.
Maksim Acevski, Auditor General at the State Audit Office, pointed out that the institution spends valuable human resources and money when it comes to monitoring the election process, which an entire sector composed of certified auditors continuously monitors.
“For years we have been saying that there is a need to amend the Electoral Code, which is being passed by political actors without consulting us,” Acevski said. According to him, this area needs to be regulated, especially in the field of internet portals, in order to prescribe criteria for the distribution of funds, as well as to further regulate penal policy.
The Director of the Agency for Audio and Audio–visual Media Services, Zoran Trajchevski, reiterated in his presentation that the AVMU believes there should be no paid political advertising from the state budget. He also spoke about the tendency of redirecting election campaigns to social networks. He said that during the presidential elections, it was noticeable that public office holders and candidates used their Facebook profiles to openly campaign, with live broadcasts, speeches, photos, and videos of meetings with citizens.
“That’s how they mobilized a larger number of supporters and gained more viewers. Campaigning on social networks is not regulated at all in our country,” Trajchevski added.
Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski emphasized at the event that this ministry has taken over one of the responsibilities related to media policies.
“The number of portals is much higher compared to traditional media outlets, although many of them are phantom. The preparation of the media law is in its final stages and is expected to be presented at a government session soon, followed by discussion in Parliament,” the minister said.
The second day of the conference was opened by the Deputy Ambassador of the British Embassy in Skopje, Daniel Fieller, with a keynote speech.
“It is important to take stock from each election cycle as a next step to improving the integrity of future elections. Our UK funded IFES Project—Money, Media and Elections provides evidence and proposals for improved oversight of public spend in online election campaigning and the role of media in shaping public discourse,” Fieller said.
This was followed by the session “Overseeing Paid Political Ads: Institutional Roles and Changing Requirements in the Rapidly Advancing Digital Age,” which discussed national and international practices (and challenges) in monitoring paid political advertising and ensuring compliance, especially regarding online campaigning during elections. Speakers included Emilija Janevska, Head of the Program Affairs Department of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, Magnus Öhman, Director of IFES Regional Europe Office and Senior Political Finance Adviser, and Noemi Arcidiacono, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The session was moderated by Danche Danilovska-Bajdevska, Program Director at the Metamorphosis Foundation.
During the final session, titled “Tools and Methodologies for Ethical Online Media Monitoring and Reporting,” speakers Sam Power, International Expert on Political and Party Financing, University of Bristol and Biljana Georgievska, Executive Directress, Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia, addressed the application of tools and methodologies for monitoring and reporting of the activities of online media outlets during elections. The session opened a discussion on good practices, technological solutions (including the use of AI) and regulatory approaches to ensure transparency, accountability, and accuracy in the oversight of digital media. The session was moderated by Zlatko Simonovski from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Over 70 participants and 12 speakers present at the two-day conference “Clicks, Money and Influence: The Roles and Responsibilities of Online Media in Elections,” discussed the ways in which online portals during elections and in a time of growth in digital campaigns and their influence can contribute to ethical and fair reporting on candidates and parties participating in elections, and the following conclusions were drawn:

There are no specific laws regulating online political advertising, hence the need for legal regulation of this area by granting powers to a given institution or body.
Until specific legal solutions are implemented, it is essential to establish mechanisms for enforcing and monitoring harmful content through collaboration with civil society organizations and the use of digital tools.
Urgent criteria are needed to ensure that state funding for election campaigns reaches credible portals.

There are good international practices that can help regulate the work of online portals and the financing and reporting of money spent in election campaigns in general, including artificial intelligence tools.

Attention should also be paid to the ownership of online portals, as this can often reveal an invisible connection between parties and the favoritism content that is being placed.

The conference “ Clicks, Money and Influence: The Roles and Responsibilities of Online Media in Elections, ” is organized within the framework of the project “Money, Media and Elections in North Macedonia” funded by the Government of the United Kingdom with the support of the British Embassy Skopje.

Online advertisements should have so-called (digital) fingerprints, so that it can be tracked who pays for those advertisements, for or against whom they are intended. Such fingerprints of advertisements should not only contain as much information and detail as possible but should also be kept in appropriate files so that there could be greater transparency, and they could be easier to track. These were some of the conclusions that Magnus Öhman, Senior Political Finance Advisor at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), shared at today’s briefing with journalists in Skopje, organized by the Metamorphosis Foundation and IFES, within the framework of the project “Money, Media and Elections in North Macedonia.” Dr.Magnus Öhman gave a comparative perspective on political advertising around the world, as well as some of the good practices, saying:
– Paid online funding, as expected, represents the largest share of political funding during elections. For example, in the last two months of last year’s US presidential election alone, $700 million was spent on Meta and Google alone, out of a total of $1.2 billion spent on online advertising during the campaign
Dr. Magnus Öhman (Photo: personal archive)
Dr.Öhman emphasized that a single country should not be taken as an example to completely rewrite the system, the law on financial reporting, especially since, in his opinion, many of the regulatory frameworks and laws lag behind new methods of political advertising. He emphasized the example of Donald Trump, who during the presidential election allocated less funds for political advertising and turned more to influencers and online commentators.
This is exactly what Emilija Petreska Kamenjarova from the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services spoke about at last week’s panel discussion. She pointed out that the media regulation covers influencers who share videos on online platforms in order to inform, entertain or educate users, and from that they make economic profit. And with the new rulebook that the Agency is to adopt this year, the criteria for which influencers will be subject to legal regulation will be specified.
“It is sufficient to reference online advertising in the [electoral] code,” says Dr. Öhman, “which would provide adequate oversight, thereby allowing regulatory commissions the opportunity to clarify the method of reporting and informing on online advertising, define what constitutes online political advertising, and specify what does not”
He also emphasizes that it is not only “states”, i.e. political entities, that are obliged to be as transparent as possible about advertising funding, but also the platforms and advertisers themselves where these ads are placed. In other words, how much money the candidates have allocated, how much and from whom the platforms have received it.
He emphasizes that EU regulations will only now need to be harmonized among member states, especially since they themselves have different laws on political advertising. Thus, аll member states will monitor the alignment separately, and the EU Commission will monitor candidate countries such as North Macedonia.
Furthermore, Dr. Öhman shared several good practices that are good to implement. The so-called (digital) imprints were emphasized several times, with which it would be possible to track who pays how much for those ads, for or against whom they are intended. Such imprints would be collected in some kind of files, similar to the Meta and Google ad libraries. As a positive example resembling such a system, the “Political Advert Repository” or PADRE from South Africa was singled out.
PADRE is actually an initiative of the South African Electoral Commission that aims to systematize online and digital political advertisements into easily accessible libraries that will increase transparency in electoral processes.
Photo: Screenshot from the South African Political Advert Repository, PADRE
Although, as Dr. Öhman shared and as can be seen from the website itself, the library is empty and has yet to be filled, the goal is to make the process as easy and quick as possible. This is the second good practice recommendation that Dr. Öhman shared. He believes that this process of reporting political advertising funding should be made simpler, so that it can be monitored.
The last example Dr. Öhman shared is adding some kind of code to the ads themselves. These codes would be placed beneath the ad and could be accessed in a file like PADRE. Alternatively, the codes could include a link that redirects to a library, where you can view the details of the ad’s origin, including the individuals responsible and the amount paid for the advertisement.

Source: Truthmeter.mk

We are proud to present our newest book “The Path Forward – Lessons from the Western Balkans’ Food and Energy Insecurities”, an international publication now available on #Amazon, published by #LambertPublishing!

This compendium of studies analyzes the biggest ongoing economic challenges in the Western Balkans – the energy crisis, rising food prices, fiscal resilience, and government policies. How is the region tackling these crises? Which measures are working, and where is there room for improvement? Our book provides concrete recommendations for a stronger economy and sustainable development.

WEBecon Network, the only regional network of economic think tanks, proudly supports this publication, continuing its mission to shape evidence-based and data-driven policies.

Support this initiative – share, read, discuss!

ACIT

The production of the studies and the book has been generously supported by SMART Balkans.

We are pleased to inform you that the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with the Metamorphosis Foundation, is organizing an international conference titled “Clicks, Money, and Influence: The Roles and Responsibilities of Online Media in Elections.” The conference will be held on 4-5 March 2025 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Skopje.
The two-day event will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen transparency and oversight of paid political advertising during election campaigns, including on online platforms. The sessions will cover various topics, such as paid political advertising, institutional roles, and the evolving conditions of the digital era. Best practices, technological solutions, and regulatory approaches will be shared to promote transparency, accountability, and accuracy in overseeing online platforms.
The conference is organized within the framework of the project “Money, Media, and Elections in North Macedonia,” supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government.

📢 In today’s discussion with the business sector, we talked about:📈 Business sector practices for productivity and labor force activation, with a special focus on women.⚙️ The needs and necessary regulatory and policy changes to boost productivity and fully utilize the economic potential of women. 🚀🎯 We validated the designed recommendations from our research.
The discussion was organized in collaboration with the British Business Association in North Macedonia and supported by the British Embassy Skopje.
Stay tuned!

As part of the Media4EU project, carried out by ALDA, Eurothink, and BIRC, eight thematic forums were organised across North Macedonia’s eight administrative planning regions. These forums served as a collaborative platform for journalists, civil society representatives, and experts from diverse fields to come together and engage in meaningful discussions.
Each forum focused on region-specific topics, such as consumer rights, the free movement of workers, agriculture, ethnic group rights, education policies, transport policies, fisheries, and environmental issues. The events took place in Skopje, Shtip, Strumica, Kumanovo, Bitola, Veles, Ohrid, and Tetovo, all of which are cities in North Macedonia, with renowned experts and trainers facilitating the discussions. These forums offered an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas and a more in-depth exploration of local concerns.
Veles Forum: Aligning Transport Policies with European StandardsAt the thematic forum in Veles, participants discussed the importance of transport policies in alignment with European standards, as well as the need for improved communication between the media and local authorities. Throughout the event, ideas were exchanged on how to enhance the flow of information between departments responsible for public relations in local institutions, with the aim of fostering more interactions between journalists and the civil sector.
Strumica Forum: Promoting EU Funding and Agricultural AwarenessLikewise, at the thematic forum in Strumica, participants were engaged in debates and discussions. They advocated for stronger collaboration between media outlets, NGOs, and local authorities to promote EU funding opportunities, raise awareness of agricultural policies, and encourage farmers to actively participate in these initiatives.
Ohrid Forum: Tackling Fisheries and Environmental ChallengesThe Ohrid forum focused on the challenges confronting fisheries and the environment. Speakers examined the current situation of fisheries in North Macedonia and highlighted the pressing need for effective communication regarding EU funding opportunities. Participants also underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and the role of the media in raising public awareness of these vital issues.
Shtip Forum: Addressing Labour Law and Workers’ RightsIn Shtip, media representatives and civil society organisations gathered to discuss labour law and workers’ rights. The discussions focused on the challenges of labour shortages caused by youth emigration and broader demographic trends across Europe. While North Macedonia’s labour laws largely align with EU standards, the forum highlighted shortcomings in their implementation and enforcement. The conversations resulted in recommendations for new legislation on labour disputes and collective bargaining, drawing on Austrian examples, as well as calls for stronger non-discrimination policies and the ratification of pertinent international conventions.
Bitola Forum: Advancing Education, Culture, and Youth DevelopmentThe forum in Bitola focused on education, culture, and youth development within the framework of North Macedonia’s European integration. Key discussions centred on aligning domestic legislation with EU standards, especially concerning the Erasmus+ programme and cultural initiatives. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogues on educational policies, media communication strategies, and the need for increased investment in the youth and cultural sectors. The forum also acknowledged the changing role of both social and traditional media in public discourse, providing valuable insights for future policy development aimed at aligning the country’s educational and cultural practices with European standards.
Overall, the Media4EU initiative has greatly increased awareness and strengthened capacity within North Macedonia’s media and civil society sectors, offering essential support for the country’s journey towards European integration. Through these thematic forums, the project has effectively facilitated continuous dialogue between civil society, media, and government bodies. The insights and recommendations gathered from these discussions will play a key role in shaping future strategies to promote regional development and encourage collaboration. As the project progresses, it remains dedicated to ensuring that local voices are heard and included in the broader European conversation, working towards a future where regional challenges are addressed through collective action and shared knowledge./ https://www.alda-europe.eu/media4eu-thematic-forums-north-macedonia/

📃 We awarded certificates to 50 employees of Comfy Angel from Prilep, who actively participated in the 🚀 Excellence and Personal Growth Program (PILN). These certificates confirm the skills and knowledge they have acquired to increase productivity and strengthen human capital.
🔢 This program is part of our efforts to apply data and analytical findings directly in the field, within the real sector. ✅️ Our goal is to create meaningful changes that improve the work environment, foster personal development for every employee, and unlock women’s economic potential.
👱‍♀️ The participants’ satisfaction with the program is undeniably high. Their comments speak for themselves: “For the first time, we felt that someone cares about us, the workers.”, “We are grateful for the opportunity to learn so many new things.”, and “Change is truly felt.”
🇬🇧 British Embassy Skopje