| Title of grant | Youth Empowerment: Encouraging civic engagement and entrepreneurship in the Polog Region |
| Total duration of grant | July 2024 – June 2026 |
| Short explanation of the selected specific topic/priority | Migration of young people in the Polog region is a serious challenge that affects social and economic development. This leads to a shrinking workforce, an aging population and reduced community activity. Migration of young people can cause destabilization of the local economy and culture, leaving the region without innovative and young staff. |
| Grant (in MKD) | 5.575.840 |
| Co-financing (in MKD) | 1.600.438 |
| Total budget (in MKD) | 7.176.278 |
| Donor | The Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas |
| Objectives, results and activities |
| Overall Objective | Improvement of the social context in which young people from Polog operate, especially in relation to awareness of the migration problem, encouraging their civic engagement and entrepreneurship. |
| Results | Identified specific issues of the migration problem and proposed solutions included in a public policy document190 young people from Polog strengthened with capacities for leadership and entrepreneurshipPromoted successful stories related to civic activism and entrepreneurship in Polog |
| Activities | 1.1. Conducting research – desk research, focus groups and online survey with a coverage of at least 500 young people 1.2. Public debates to share research findings 1.3. Workshop on local civic advocacy and preparation of a public policy document with specific recommendations and requests for changes, delivered to the municipalities of Polog. 2.1. Two-day training for 20 young people on civic engagement. During the training, young people will develop action plans for the advancement of the region in several areas – e.g. human rights, protection and improvement of the environment, education and other areas. 2.2. Two-day training on entrepreneurship and development of practical leadership skills for 20 young people. 2.3 Open networking events – meetings of civic activists and successful entrepreneurs with young people from Polog. In this way, young people will be encouraged towards innovations and innovative work, they will be encouraged to join the work of civil society organizations. 3.1. Information campaign – three podcasts and at least 10 infographics on positive examples from the Deposit for civic engagement and entrepreneurship. This will include examples of women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs from smaller ethnic communities. 3.2. Organization of a joint event of civic organizations, the business community and traditional crafts for the promotion of local values in Gostivar. 3.3 Organization of a joint event of civil society organizations, food producers in Tearce. |
