News from CSOs

Organizations from Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia launched on Monday in Podgorica the regional project “Youth Engagement for the Europeanization of the Balkans,” with an inaugural event held at Europe House, which brought the voices of young people to the forefront of the region’s EU integration process, KDP reports.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the partner organizations – Milica Dedić, Executive Director of NVO GLAS from Montenegro; Lorik Idrizi, Program Director at BIRC from North Macedonia; and Drenusha Latifi, representative of CFID from Kosovo.
The project was introduced by regional coordinator Lorik Idrizi, who emphasized the vision and objectives of the initiative, which aims to empower youth across the Western Balkans through cross-border dialogue, civic participation, and the promotion of European values.

Lorik Idrizi, BIRC
One of the most notable parts of the day was the youth panel titled “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?”, where young people from Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia shared their thoughts on how the younger generation can take part in the journey toward the European Union. The panelists – Danica Sretkoska, Mojaš Kankaraš, and Rron Ukimeraj – offered personal insights into the opportunities and shared challenges faced by youth in their societies. The panel was moderated by Tijana Vojinović from Montenegro and was conducted in English, open to the public.

Milica Dedić, GLAS
“This panel is among the most important moments of the project. It’s not just about what institutions think – it’s about what young people themselves believe and hope for their future in the European family,” said the organizers in a joint statement.

Drenusha Latifi, CFID
The event continued with a thematic session led by Marija Milošević, Secretary of the Committee on European Integration in the Parliament of Montenegro, who spoke about the role of legislative institutions in the integration process and the need for it to be more understandable and tangible for citizens. “European issues and the integration process itself must be demystified – citizens need to experience them as part of daily life, not as a distant or complicated reality,” she emphasized.

Marija Milošević, Secretary of the Committee on European Integration in the Parliament of Montenegro
In conclusion, the project partners held a closed strategic session, where they discussed the next steps toward organizing the upcoming event in Skopje. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation among participating organizations, setting timeframes, and drafting a joint media coverage and communication strategy.
The “Youth Engagement for the Europeanization of the Balkans” project is supported by the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and is expected to expand to several countries in the region, building bridges of cooperation among youth and contributing to bringing Western Balkan societies closer to the European Union.

In 2022, the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities – Skopje, in collaboration with external experts, conducted this research at the initiative and with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and at the request of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The research provided an assessment of perceptions, opinions and attitudes about inter-ethnic integration and cohesion in primary and secondary education in North Macedonia after the implementation of all measures and activities for inter-ethnic integration in primary and secondary education. In addition, by comparing the obtained results with the results of the initial research conducted in 2017, this research also provides insight into possible changes in the perceptions, opinions and attitudes of all stakeholders in education regarding the issue.

The full report is available at: https://mon.gov.mk/stored/document/DEC_2023_FINAL%20REPORT_ENG.pdf

🚶‍♂️🌄
On June 30, the first cross-border joint patrol mission was successfully carried out in the protected Sharr-Korab mountain massif—specifically at border marker no. 9, in the Velivar mountain area of Mavrovo National Park and the Korab-Koritnik Protected Area, covering pastures near the villages of Rabdisht (Albania) and Zhirovnica (North Macedonia).
🔍 The goal of the mission was to enhance cross-border coordination for monitoring and supervising protected areas, and to detect and prevent illegal activities. The patrol team focused on protecting the rich ecosystems that span across both countries.
👥 The patrol was composed of rangers, specialists, border police, firefighters, and community guards from both Albania and North Macedonia—representing institutions from Mavrovo National Park, Sharr Mountain National Park, and Korab-Koritnik Nature Park.
🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ Teams hiked over 10 km from Zhirovnica (North Macedonia) and 8.5 km from Rabdisht (Albania) before meeting for joint monitoring with drones and binoculars. They identified signs of illegal plant and fruit harvesting, overgrazing, unauthorized tourist crossings, illegal hunting activity, and areas at high risk of wildfires. Wildlife sightings included wild goats, bears, deer, and eagles. 🐻🦅🐐
🔁 The teams exchanged information, contact points, and agreed on the importance of continued cooperation. The Albanian side was tasked with strengthening control at plant collection points to stop the illegal harvesting of endangered species like bilberry leaves, salep roots, and primrose.
📅 More joint patrols are planned between June and September 2025.
🌍 This activity is part of the project “Protection and Sustainable Use of Protected Areas in Sharr Mountain, Mavrovo, and Korab-Koritnik”, funded by PONT – Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust and implemented by ALCDF with partners CSCD and LAG Dibra Turistike.
#SharrKorabPatrol #JointProtection #NatureKnowsNoBorders #SustainableNature #ALCDF #PONT #Mavrovo #KorabKoritnik #ProtectedAreas

Related

The Government has adopted and submitted to Parliament the Proposal for Amending and Supplementing the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2025. According to the proposal, tax revenues remain at nearly the same level as initially planned, while expenditures increase by the amount of higher non-tax revenues, keeping the total projected budget deficit unchanged.
Finance Think maintains the position expressed in our FT Comment No. 40 on the Draft Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2025, dated November 19, 2024, that the projected growth of tax revenues of 12.6%, i.e. more than double the sum of the projected real GDP growth rate and the (revised) inflation rate, is ambitious to achieve. This concern is also reflected in the realization of tax revenues in the first five months of 2025, which stands at 37.6% (compared to the proportional realization rate of 41.7%), similar to the performance of VAT revenues (36.9%), excises (34.4%), and import duties (36.6%), all of which directly reflect the pulse of the economy.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that non-tax revenues increased by 4.2 billion denars, largely achieved through the financial result of the National Bank, enabled by law amendments earlier in 2025, which allowed 85% of the National Bank’s financial result to be transferred to the state budget.
This increase in budget revenues enabled a rise in expenditures, primarily in public sector wages (830 million denars), goods and services (1.8 billion denars), and pensions (2.5 billion denars). Finance Think notes that this restructuring of expenditures unfavorably affects the ongoing fiscal consolidation process.

First, the increase in budgetary spending that affects aggregate consumption carries a risky potential to sustain price growth persistence throughout 2025 and into early 2026. Particularly concerning is that pension expenditure growth has reached 16.8% compared to 2024, considering that the initial projected growth of 14.8% was already high. Already in FT Comment No. 40 on the Draft Budget for 2025, we noted: “These two items [wages and pensions, ed. note] are especially important because they weaken fiscal consolidation and continue to reflect the expansionary nature of fiscal policy, and therefore remain a primary source of inflationary risk in 2025.” These concerns have materialized, as inflation in the first five months of 2025 stood at 3.7%, remaining persistently high despite tight monetary policy and government measures such as price and margin freezes in the food sector. With the increased expansionary stance of fiscal policy via the budget rebalance, inflation persistence will likely continue in the period ahead.

Second, the line item ‘goods and services’ grows by 22.5% compared to 2024 realization, a particularly sharp acceleration, considering the already high initial projection of 14.8%. Since this item lacks transparency and includes, for example, service contracts that act as quasi-employment in the public sector, it poses risks, especially in a local election year.

With the rebalance, capital expenditures remain at a level similar to the initial projection from December 2024, but as of May 2025, they have only been realized at 22.5%. Consequently, Finance Think anticipates that the likely materialization of the risk of underperforming tax revenues by year-end will be offset by under-execution of capital expenditures, resulting in a year-end deficit in line with – or lower than – the projected level.

Youth organisations across Europe are taking a proactive step toward ensuring ethical and human rights-based use of artificial intelligence. The study session, “Open your AIs: responsible use of AI tools by youth organisations”, is taking place at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS) from 23 to 27 June 2025 with the aim to spark critical discussions around Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics and empower youth groups to adopt internal standards rooted in the protection of young people’s rights.
As AI tools increasingly shape how youth organisations operate, this initiative underscores the need for conscious and informed usage by that ensuring technology serves young people rather than putting their rights at risk. The study session also draws on the principles of the Council of Europe’s newly adopted AI Convention, helping prepare the youth sector to act as advocates and watchdogs in this rapidly evolving landscape.
The study session pursues three key objectives: helping youth organisations remain vigilant and responsible when integrating AI into their work; supporting them to become vocal advocates for AI ethics within their structures and among their beneficiaries and building knowledge to navigate and contribute to key policy processes like the EU AI Act and the Council of Europe’s AI Convention, especially considering growing concerns around AI-driven discrimination.

By bridging policy with practice, the study session aims to position youth organisations as meaningful contributors to ethical AI governance and protectors of young people’s digital rights.
The study session is truly remarkable experience for the participants, offering a unique opportunity to engage also with staff members of the Council of Europe secretariat from various Units. They met representatives who shared insights into the organisation’s work on the AI Convention, the intersection of artificial intelligence with hate speech and hate crime, and the various forms of support available through the European Youth Foundation. Participants also explored pathways for meaningful youth advocacy at multiple levels, learning how they could get involved in the Council of Europe’s distinctive co-management structure either by applying to join the Advisory Council on Youth or by ensuring representation through their organisational networks.
Many participants reflected on this meeting saying that the exchange was impactful, affirming the importance of including young people in policy-making processes that shape their today and the future.

Link to the original text: Open your AIs: responsible use of AI tools by youth organisations discussed in Strasbourg – Youth

The study session is organised within the Youth for Democracy programme in cooperation with Connect International in with partner Curiosite Centre de Formation and expertise of Metamorphosis Foundation.

Disinformation, information manipulation, and foreign influence (FIMI) continue to erode public trust, deepen social divisions, and weaken North Macedonia’s democratic processes and EU aspirations. Without decisive and coordinated action, the information manipulation industry will keep evolving, outpacing regulation and exploiting systemic vulnerabilities.
This was the central message of today’s validation meeting in Skopje, which focused on the draft report “Enablers and Incentives of Election-Related FIMI in North Macedonia.” The event brought together representatives of public institutions, media, civil society, and international organizations to review the findings and strengthen the report through participatory dialogue.
In her opening remarks, Khushbu Agrawal from International IDEA highlighted the broader scope of the initiative:
“This report by our partner Metamorphosis is part of a larger project on FIMI supported by Global Affairs Canada. While it’s not the first report on the topic in the country, we are trying to create a ‘one-stop shop’ that consolidates all relevant knowledge and research related to electoral FIMI in North Macedonia, particularly the vulnerabilities and incentives that enable it to take root and thrive”, said Agrawal.
Goran Rizaov, Program Manager for Information and Media Integrity at Metamorphosis and co-author of the report, presented the methodology developed by International IDEA, based on distinguishing enablers and incentives of FIMI.
“Despite other things, we also aimed to explain how gender-based disinformation, the use of AI, and global linkages are leveraged to manipulate information in an election context. Political polarization, often along ethnic or interethnic lines, as well as systemic corruption, weaken institutional resilience. Implementation of electoral reforms is poor, and misuse of public resources remains widespread”, said Rizaov.
Matej Trojachanec, Goran Rizaov and Despina Kovachevska | Photo: Vancho Dzambaski, CC BY
Despina Kovachevska and Matej Trojachanec, researchers from Metamorphosis, and also co-authors of the report presented the insights on societal enablers and social networks, with additional focus on gender narratives and AI-generated disinformation.
Kovachevska emphasized the use of fear-based messaging targeting women and LGBTI+ communities:
“We’ve seen narratives claiming that if North Macedonia joins the EU, children will be turned transgender, or girls will be forced to dress like boys. In pro-Russian disinformation, Ukrainian women are portrayed as heroes staying to fight, while men are shown as cowards fleeing. When attacking President Zelensky, disinformation often targets his wife and her alleged spending. There’s a broader theme of contrasting the ‘traditional mother’ with the ‘Western woman’—single, selfish, and even demonized through religious narratives”, Kovachevska said.
“These gendered narratives build on fear: fear of vaccines, fear of the West, fear of ‘moral decay’. Low media literacy, which is in decline, allows such manipulative content to flourish,” she added.
Rizaov also spoke about the fragility of the media landscape:
“Independent outlets are nearly unsustainable. There’s an illusion of pluralism due to the high number of media outlets, but in reality, they are often politically or commercially aligned. Copy-paste journalism dominates mainstream media. If all you’re doing is copying content, manipulation can easily slip through—especially if it originates from a powerful center of influence”, said Rizaov.
Trojachanec explored how social media algorithms and generative AI are shaping the disinformation ecosystem:
“The platforms amplify extreme content based on user behavior. While we haven’t yet seen deepfakes targeting local politicians, we’ve identified AI-generated videos promoting fake medicines, often using voices cloned from well-known doctors. These are mostly adapted from Bulgarian-language templates, making them relatively easy to detect. Still, the use of AI in this context remains limited—for now.”
The event concluded with a set of policy recommendations aimed at public institutions, the media sector, tech platforms, and civil society. These focus on improving legislation, media independence, digital transparency, and public awareness, while calling for stronger cross-sectoral cooperation and alignment with EU regulatory standards.

In 17th June 2025, the regional conference “Financial Literacy for Young People” was held at the premises of the Creative Community Centre NEKSUS in Radovish – an event that opened important questions and topics related to the financial education of the young people, their economic independence and the role of…

On 16th June 2025, the thematic forum “From Difference to Justice – Equal in the Right to Healthy and Sustainable Living Environment for All” organized by partner organizations Centre for Youth Activism KRIK, Center for Social Initiative HOPE and the Association of Social Workers of Macedonia took place at Europe…

The OTT Conference 2025 is currently taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 17–19.

This global conference is dedicated to the think tank community, focusing on the impact of think tanks on policies, institutions, and societies.Finance Think is part of this international platform through the participation of our Executive Director, Blagica Petreski.

Become part of a regional youth network for the Europeanization of the Western Balkans!
The Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation (BIRC) is announcing a call for the selection of 5 young people from North Macedonia who will represent the country at three regional events, organized within the framework of the “Youth for Europeanization” project, supported by the Western Balkans Fund.
🔹 Who can apply?
Young people aged 20 to 30
Students, civil society activists, young journalists, or young professionals interested in European integration processes
Citizens of North Macedonia
With basic knowledge of topics such as the European Union, democracy, human rights, and civic participation
🔹 What do you get?
Fully funded participation in:
The Kick-off Conference in Podgorica
The Thematic Forum in Pristina
The Final Conference in Skopje
Networking with youth from Kosovo and Montenegro
Inclusion in a regional cooperation platform for Europeanization
Covered costs for accommodation, travel, and per diems
Certificate of participation and the opportunity to contribute through media articles or interviews
🔹 How to apply?Send the following documents to [email protected]:
CV (maximum 2 pages)
Motivation letter (up to 300 words)
Optional: Links to profiles or previous projects (if available)
🗓 Application deadline: June 30📩 Only selected applicants will be contacted via email.