News from CSOs

For the first time, the Metamorphosis Foundation granted its annual “Ilija Zhupaonski” Award for combating disinformation during its twentieth edition of the e-Society.mk conference.
The award in the category “Best journalistic work, i.e. professional paper prepared by civil society organizations and individuals” was granted to the Institute for Media and Analytics “IMA”—Skopje for a professional paper with a series of content that is interconnected but refers to one specific topic.
It concerns the content: “’The French proposal:’ Hate speech, disinformation, media manipulation” (media analyses), the analysis “Media outlets and campaigns with disinformation and hate speech against gender and sexual equality,” “Russian and pro-Russian disinformation in North Macedonia: Analysis of propaganda narratives and case studies” and “Constitutional changes in the media: disinformation, media manipulation, hate speech” (analyses) covered in the TV show “Poligraf” to expose disinformation and fake news. The authors of the project and the script are Petrit Saracini and Zharko Trajanoski.

The award in the category “Educational multimedia content prepared by young people aged 18 to 28 years old” was granted to the journalist Ardit Ramadani for the video titled “Media hysteria about Imane Khelif’s gender rooted in Russia, media outlets fell into Russia’s trap, again.” This award is granted for content in which information and communication technologies are used in a creative and innovative way to reach young people and educate them in order to strengthen resistance against disinformation.

Vesna Kolovska, the journalist that was awarded recognition for a special contribution with the educational series “Disinformation and the spread of conspiracy theories” (educational videos), said that the fight against conspiracy theories is one of the most difficult.

The award for the first category “Best journalistic work, i.e. professional paper” is equivalent to 3000 euros in denars. The award for the second category “Educational multimedia content prepared by young people aged 18 to 28 years old” is equivalent to 1000 euros in denars.
The awards were decided by a committee made up of prominent figures from the media and public sphere: Katerina Blazhevska, Dejan Donev, Arta Tahiri, Biljana Georgievska and Nazim Rashidi.
The award is named after Ilija Zhupanoski, who was a social activist for democracy and an active fighter against disinformation and against hybrid and cyber-attacks on democracies at national and international level.
“Ilija was our collaborator, comrade, who devoted a significant part of his life to understanding the effect of disinformation and foreign influences on the democratic processes in North Macedonia. Although, unfortunately, he left us too soon, his tireless work left an indelible mark on society, and his efforts will live on through all of us who continue to fight against disinformation in defense of the truth, that is, to build a society in which freedom of speech is inviolable.” said Dance Danilovska-Bajdevska, Program Director at the Metamorphosis Foundation during the award ceremony.

The twentieth international conference e-Society.mk organized by the Metamorphosis Foundation, which marks two decades of existence, was held on the 5th of November in Skopje. This year, the conference addressed the topic of digital transformation through multiple panel discussions, exhibitions, quizzes, and presentations. Within the framework of the conference, the “Ilija Zhupanoski” Award for combating disinformation was also awarded for the first time.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of North Macedonia, Özlem Canel, opened the conference along with the Executive Director of the Metamorphosis Foundation, Bardhyl Jashari.
Among other things, Ambassador Canel emphasized that: “when we talk about digitalization, we can’t help but discuss cyber security, these are two sides of the same coin.”

Jashari emphasized that the Metamorphosis Foundation “has been trying to use technology, through activities and various efforts, to improve the openness and transparency of the authorities, to fight hate speech, and other issues.”
In addition to experts from the region and abroad, domestic experts, representatives of state institutions, and of the business sector, as well as individuals with disabilities and representatives of youth organizations were included in the sessions.

During the first panel discussion titled “Digital Society—What’s the point?” the speakers gave their perspectives from the institutional, civil, and business sector in terms of their responsibility and the practices they apply in creating a digital society which benefits all citizens.
After the discussion, the attendees had the opportunity to learn first-hand the ways of applying AI assistants by people with disabilities.

After the break, we had the opportunity to see a different kind of discussion which affects the new ways of using the means of communication and the new media, especially among young people. The discussion “Show Me Your Meme —Memification of the Public Discourse” touched on the questions of how media adapts to new decentralized ways of conveying information where its power diminishes, while unwanted background influences increase.

Young people attended the following session in which young representatives from civil organizations competed against senior and more experienced citizens in a quiz on recognizing disinformation. This entertaining session showed how difficult it is to recognize disinformation, as well as the ways to recognize it.

The last panel discussion “Disinformation War—Political and Security Challenge in the Western Balkans,” focused specifically on disinformation and its serious consequences for the safety of the country. This panel included experts which shared experiences regarding these questions from the region and beyond.

The conference closed with the awarding of the annual “Ilija Zhupanoski” Award for journalists, civil society organizations, and individuals working to combat disinformation in the country, which the Metamorphosis Foundation introduced for the first time. Awards were granted in two categories.

In the category of “Best journalistic work, i.e. professional paper prepared by civil society organizations and individuals” the prize of 3000 euros in denar equivalent was awarded to the Institute for Media and Analytics IMA Skopje for a series of content that is interconnected, covered in the TV show for detecting disinformation “Poligraf.”
The authors of the project and the script are Petrit Saracini and Zharko Trajanoski.
The award in the category “Educational multimedia content prepared by young people aged 18 to 28 years old” was awarded to the journalist Ardit Ramadani for the video titled “Media hysteria about Imane Khelif’s gender rooted in Russia, media outlets fell into Russia’s trap, again.”

Considering the quality of the reported topic “Disinformation and the spread of conspiracy theories” (educational videos), the Commission unanimously decided to award recognition for a special contribution to the journalist Vesna Kolovska.
The second day of the conference took place in Public Room where a workshop on fighting disinformation was held—the workshop “StopFake’s best practices” was aimed at educating participants on recognizing and opposing disinformation based on the experience of the well-known fact-checking service StopFake.org from Ukraine which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Conducted in synergy with the Google News Initiative to share skills and tips to educate a new generation of journalists, fact-checkers, and teachers.

On November 8, 2024, the Kick-off Meeting of the NBS4RESILIENCE project was successfully held online, bringing together project partners from across the Adriatic-Ionian region. The meeting, hosted by the Development Agency of the City of Prijedor (PREDA) as the lead partner, set the stage for the project’s implementation by outlining objectives, responsibilities, and key steps moving forward.
About the NBS4Resilience ProjectThe NBS4RESILIENCE project, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme, aims to enhance climate resilience in the region by implementing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). By integrating science, policy, and community participation, the project seeks to reduce climate risks, foster ecosystem restoration, and promote sustainable adaptation strategiesKey Highlights of the Kick-off MeetingThroughout the meeting, several topics were discussed, ensuring a smooth and efficient start to project implementation.One of the key discussions focused on the introduction and objectives of the project, where the lead partner, PREDA, provided a detailed overview of the project’s goal, budget, duration, and expected impact. The presentation emphasized the urgent need for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address climate risks in the Adriatic-Ionian region and highlighted the project’s role in pioneering innovative approaches to climate resilience.A major milestone discussed during the meeting was the establishment of Climate Resilient Forums (CRFs). These forums will act as local engagement platforms where citizens, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders will collaboratively design and implement climate adaptation strategies. CRFs will serve as knowledge-sharing hubs, fostering community participation in decision-making and ensuring that nature-based solutions are effectively integrated into local governance.The meeting also highlighted the implementation of pilot actions across six IPA ADRION countries, each addressing a specific climate challenge:
Flood prevention in Slovenia
Erosi
n and landslide risk reduction in Croatia
Heatwave mitigation in Montenegro
Drought and water flow regulation in Italy
Coastal resilience in Greece
Wildfire prevention in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Partners discussed the methodologies and expected outcomes of these pilot initiatives, ensuring that the solutions developed will be tested, evaluated, and replicated for broader impact.Another significant segment of the meeting was the discussion on Work Package responsibilities. Each partner outlined their role in implementing project activities, reporting progress, and coordinating with other stakeholders. The meeting served as an opportunity to clarify expectations, address potential challenges, and ensure that all partners are aligned with the project’s overall strategy.Lastly, the project management and communication strategy were formalized. The partners agreed on the establishment of a Steering Committee, which will oversee project progress and provide strategic guidance. Additionally, communication channels were introduced to enhance collaboration and ensure transparency across all project activities. The project’s visibility and dissemination strategy was also discussed, emphasizing the importance of reaching key audiences and stakeholders.Next StepsThe partners will reconvene for the second part of the Kick-off Meeting in December 2024. The project team will continue working on refining strategies, defining specific deliverables, and preparing for the implementation of pilot projects.Learn more about the project: www.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu

Date: November 5, 2024 Location: Marriott Hotel (Ballroom 1+2) Entry: Free Language: Macedonian, Albanian, and English simultaneous interpretation This year, the 20th anniversary edition of the e-Society.mk conference is being held along with the celebration of 20 years since the founding of the Metamorphosis Foundation. At the event entitled “Digital transformation for life” we will […]
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