News from CSOs

The Council of Europe has launched a new online training course on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. It was unveiled during the 44th plenary meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation…

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted new guidelines aimed at enhancing the prosecution of violent extremism conducive to terrorism. These guidelines, developed by the Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT), provide strategies for prosecuting violent far-right, far-left, and other sympathisers under terrorism charges. The guidelines focus on…

A new analytical report from the “All In Plus: Promoting Greater Gender Equality in Sport” joint project highlights both progress and persistent disparities in gender equality across European sport. The report, published at a conference in the framework of the Luxembourgish Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, is based on…

On May 7, 2025, the Metamorphosis Foundation organized a one-day training on improving cybersecurity in civil society organizations. The training was aimed at civil society organizations that actively work with vulnerable categories of citizens and face increased risks in the digital space.
Fifteen representatives of civil society organizations had the opportunity to learn about the concept of digital fingerprinting, the importance of antivirus protection, creating and maintaining strong passwords, using password managers, as well as practical advice for strengthening cybersecurity and developing habits for regular cyber hygiene.
This training is part of the project “CyberShield: Empowered Citizens for Cyber ​​Resilience,” which aims to increase the awareness and resilience of citizens and organizations to cyber threats, through education, public information, and practical resources. The project envisages three such trainings, the first of which was held on April 9, while the last, third training, will be held on June 4. In addition to the trainings, the project will also prepare podcasts and videos to promote public awareness and understanding of the importance of cybersecurity.
The aim of the project is to emphasize the importance of regular cyber hygiene and effectively dealing with cyber threats such as phishing, social engineering, malware, identity theft, etc. Through joint efforts, the project aims to ensure that these topics receive adequate attention, resources, and responses to the challenges brought by the digital age.

The project “CyberShield: Empowered Citizens for Cyber Resilience” is supported by the National Interventions grant for the regional project “SMART Balkans—Civil Society for Shared Society in the Western Balkans” implemented by Centar za promociju civilnog društva (CPCD) (Center for Civil Society Promotion), Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), and financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.

As part of our activities to strengthen local capacities for sustainable waste management, we successfully implemented a three-day composting training with employees of the Public Utility Company Dolneni. The workshops were held on 03.04.2025, 15.04.2025 and 06.05.2025 in the village of Ropotovo, which resulted in the establishment of a system for the collection and processing…

In one of our target communities, something powerful has been quietly taking root. What began as a few women gathering after a legal advice session has grown into a self-organized, peer-led Roma Women’s Leadership Circle.

This inspiring group of women now meets regularly to share experiences, learn about their rights, and support one another in facing daily challenges related to education, child protection, early marriage, and gender-based violence. Most importantly, they are beginning to speak with confidence for themselves, their daughters, and their community.

“Before, I was ashamed to speak, even when things were wrong. Now I know what my rights are, and I’m not afraid to ask for help or to help another woman.”– Member of the Roma Women’s Leadership Circle

What made this possible?

✅ Trust built over time through our paralegals, health promoters, and gender promoters✅ A safe space for legal knowledge, storytelling, and psychosocial support✅ A belief that every woman holds the potential to be a voice for change

Already, members of the Circle are taking on informal leadership roles referring neighbors to our services, advocating for girls’ schooling, and even helping de-escalate domestic situations by guiding families to support resources.

While this initiative wasn’t part of our original plans, it has become a cornerstone of community strength, a grassroots space where healing, learning, and transformation come together. For our team, it’s a reminder that lasting change often starts with listening, presence, and trust.

We’re proud to stand beside these women and we look forward to expanding this model in more communities.

On this World Press Freedom Day, the global IFEX network has launched the “Meeting the AI Moment” campaign, spotlighting civil society efforts to counter disinformation in the age of artificial intelligence. The Metamorphosis Foundation is among the featured organisations in the campaign, with its innovative approach to youth engagement and media literacy offering a compelling model for navigating the challenges of AI-powered misinformation.
As AI continues to reshape the global information landscape—bringing both opportunities and threats—civil society organisations like Metamorphosis are stepping up to ensure that press freedom not only survives but evolves. The “Meeting the AI Moment” campaign emphasizes the critical role of such organisations in fostering informed, resilient societies at a time when synthetic media, deepfakes, and AI-generated content are increasingly being weaponized to distort public discourse and undermine trust.
In North Macedonia, where media literacy remains one of the lowest in Europe and disinformation campaigns target everything from public health to elections, Metamorphosis has long been at the forefront of countering harmful narratives. Through a multi-pronged approach that includes media platforms like Meta.mk, fact-checking services such as Truthmeter, and regional cooperation via the Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub, the Foundation has developed a robust toolkit to defend the information space.
A standout initiative featured in the IFEX campaign is Cyber Shakes—a series of youth-focused events launched in 2023 to explore the impact of emerging technologies on information integrity. Held in informal venues such as cafés and nightclubs, Cyber Shakes bring experts and young people together to discuss everything from deepfakes to data privacy, using interactive tools like quizzes and influencer-led promotions to spark meaningful dialogue.
One such event, “Deepfake or Reality,” held in early 2024, offered a dynamic mix of expert panels and live audience engagement. Participants—including journalists, computer science academics, and tech editors—guided young attendees through real and manipulated images, encouraging them to question and analyze visual content in a digital age. The event also opened the floor for young people to voice their growing concerns about AI misuse, including the disturbing rise of sexualized deepfakes and online harassment.
“We didn’t ask them to come to us—we went to them,” said Goran Rizaov, Programme Manager for Information and Media Integrity at Metamorphosis. “The goal was not to lecture, but to create a space where young people could ask questions and share concerns. Many already knew about the risks of AI, but what they lacked was a platform to talk openly and find others who felt the same.”
Feedback from these events is shaping Metamorphosis’s future strategy. Plans are underway for a new series of youth- and elderly-oriented events combining education and entertainment to further unpack complex topics like conspiracy theories, surveillance, and AI ethics. Metamorphosis also remains committed to regional cooperation, continuing to expand its leadership within the Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub.
Crucially, the Foundation maintains a balanced stance on technology. “We emphasize the positive potential of AI when used ethically,” said Rizaov. “Our aim isn’t to scare people—it’s to equip them with the knowledge to use technology wisely, while being aware of the risks.”
Through its contributions to IFEX’s “Meeting the AI Moment” campaign, Metamorphosis Foundation reaffirms its commitment to empowering citizens, especially the youth, with the critical thinking skills and media literacy needed to defend press freedom in an AI-driven world.

This past weekend, the Metamorphosis Foundation actively participated in the preparations for the study session “Open your AIs,” which will be held in June at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

This study session is an opportunity for young people to explore key issues related to the ethics and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Through the exchange of ideas, discussions, and practical activities, participants will create tools, strategies, and recommendations that they can directly apply in the work of youth organizations.
The study session is organized within the framework of the Youth for Democracy program in collaboration with Connect International alongside the partner Curiosité – Centre de Formation and supported by the expertise of the Metamorphosis Foundation.

We look forward to welcoming 20 young leaders from across Europe to join us in contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and just digital future, grounded in the protection of human rights.
The call for participation is open until May 9th. More information is available at the following link.

Третиот модул од Академијата за пратеници, одржан во април 2025 година во Охрид, беше посветен на ефикасната комуникација на пратениците со граѓаните, особено во политички

Today at Finance Think, we had the honor of hosting the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Satybaldy Burshakov, along with Counselor Mr. Kairat Akhmetalim.

The visit aimed at gaining deeper insights into the Embassy’s activities in the fields of economy and energy, as well as presenting our work and #research focus.
We discussed opportunities for future #collaboration and exchange of experiences, driven by a shared ambition to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.
#FinanceThink #internationalcooperation #Kazakhstan #economy