Empowering Students in Mogila Through Non-Formal Education
Latest News Empowering Students in Mogila Through Non-Formal Education As part of our efforts to make youth work accessible in rural areas in October and November 2025 we delivered activities for non-formal education of young people in the Municipality of Mogila. Our team of youth workers held a series of three workshops in the Goce Delchev Primary School in the Municipality of Mogila. The workshops aimed to strengthen the capacities of the student organization in this school so that students themselves can create and implement initiatives that contribute to creating a safer school environment. The workshops were attended by the presidents and deputies of all classes, as well as the school’s children’s ombudsman, students aged 12 to 15. At the beginning, they talked about how they understand communication, what verbal and non-verbal communication means to them and how these elements affect their relationships. They also talked about what constitutes conflict, how they recognize it and where it is right to report it. Then the students practiced decision-making – individually and in groups – and analyzed the factors that influence a group communication to be successful and useful. This was followed by a session with a discussion on how to hold meetings, ways of keeping minutes, how to process agenda items and how to draw conclusions. The students described the meetings they had had so far in the school and compared them with the good practices they had learned. Each class was given a task – in pairs to draft a petition or official request to the Principal, based on a need that their classmates had highlighted as significant. The next workshop was where the children were introduced to the basics of research work. The students learned to choose and use tools for collecting information from larger groups of children, such as surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Each team conducted research in the school, processed the results and presented them at the last workshop. As an additional activity, they drew their “ideal school”, and then compared the idea with the real situation, analyzing what could be improved. This exercise encouraged them to think about a student initiative that would have the greatest significance for their school. In the discussions, most of the students expressed a desire for the initiative to be creative and supportive. Thus was born the idea for “Comics that Change” – the creation of comics by students under the mentorship of Macedonian language and art teachers, with the aim of creating a student comic book – a collection of topics important to the school and the community: student participation, violence prevention and ecology. These will then be printed on paper and will be part of the regular program of the school’s patron saint holiday, which is celebrated every spring and is a significant event in this local community. The overall initiative in this way helps to raise the level of safety, trust and openness between students and professional service and contributes to a better school environment for future generations. In order to promote non-formal education in rural areas, YMCA cooperates with various partners. These activities enter in a broader initiative of the Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA, in partnership with the Macedonian Center for Civic Education, the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and SmartUp – Social Innovation Lab, with support from the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, which is being implemented in the period September 2023 – August 2026. Thanks to the support of Y’s Men International, we are in a position to implement a series of new workshops in other rural areas as well.
Communication Matters: Training and Knowledge Transfer in Three Schools in Bitola
Latest News Communication Matters: Training and Knowledge Transfer in Three Schools in Bitola Our cooperation with schools is continuous and consistent. In addition to opportunities for educating children, we also offer opportunities for staff education. From 10 to 19 November 2025, representatives from the professional services of three schools in Bitola participated in Erasmus+ Communication Matters, an Erasmus+ training in Brno, Czech Republic, designed for educators, youth workers, and facilitators. The training focused on nonviolent communication, a method developed by Marshall Rosenberg, which aims to help distinguish people’s opinions from their needs and to foster understanding and connection even in situations of disagreement. During the training, participants engaged in theoretical sessions, group activities, interactive exercises, and simulations. They learned how to recognize subtle emotions and understand the needs behind different words and behaviors, how to listen empathetically, communicate clearly, and handle challenges and difficult situations. This process allowed them to see how the choice of words and the manner of communication influence relationships and the atmosphere within the group. Special emphasis was placed on applying these skills in work with young people, developing strategies for constructive conflict resolution, and building trust within the group. In December 2025, the participants shared the knowledge they had gained in three schools in Bitola – Dr. Trifun Panovski Primary School, Elpida Karamandi Primary School, and Goce Delchev Primary School. Students took part in interactive workshops, games, and group activities that allowed them to learn, in a practical way, the basics of empathetic listening, recognizing feelings and needs, and expressing their opinions clearly. The activities created a safe space where young people could practice communication, learn from each other, and explore different perspectives, while also strengthening cooperation within the group. The training and dissemination activities enhanced the participants’ ability to communicate attentively and with understanding, recognize needs, and support young people in creating a more open and safe environment. The application of the acquired skills at the local level confirms YMCA Macedonia’s commitment to building an empathetic, attentive, and supportive space for young people, fostering their development and active participation in the community. This project is co-financed by the European Union. You can view the photos from the training in Brno and the dissemination activities in Bitola in the album below.
We hosted the West Balkans Initiative 2025
Latest News We hosted the West Balkans Initiative 2025 From September 22 to 25, 2025, YMCA.mk had the honor of hosting this year’s YMCA West Balkans Initiative Coordination Meeting. This event unites the energy, knowledge and vision of leaders from across the region and beyond. The gathering brought together representatives from the YMCAs from Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Albania, as well as representatives from our partners from the YMCAs of Germany and the USA. In addition, it was a special honor and a testament to the importance of this initiative for the development of the YMCA network in the region to have the Secretary Generals from World YMCA, Carlos Sanvee and YMCA Europe, Juan Simoes Iglesias as special guests. Shared Vision and Collaboration The regional meeting focused on strengthening local and national YMCA organizations through: The exchange of good practices in youth work Deepening collaboration among countries in the region Developing a strategic plan through 2030, in alignment with the global #YMCAVision2030 Training and discussions on responsible governance, financial transparency, and sustainable funding of youth programs. These themes lie at the heart of the global YMCA mission—an organization with more than 180 years of history dedicated to the holistic development of young people and the building of stronger communities. Learning, Sharing, Growing Through lectures, workshops, and discussions, participants had the opportunity to learn about contemporary challenges facing young people, to hear inspiring experiences from the USA, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the wider region, and to contribute to the creation of a joint framework for the future development of YMCA in the Western Balkans. Special attention was given to topics such as leadership, camping as a tool for non-formal education, and cultural exchange to build bridges of peace, understanding, and opportunity for youth. Adriana Stanovici and Scott T. Jackson from YMCA of the USA led an inspiring workshop on the magic of camps. Claudia Kuhn from YMCA Germany who consistently supports the Western Balkans Initiative in its growth journey led a session on capacity building, bringing the positive practices from Germany. In addition, we had sessions on the latest positive stories from Greece and Italy. Gratitude and Recognition Behind every successful event stands a dedicated team and volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible. Special thanks go to the YMCA.mk team and volunteers: Emilija, Jovan, Nikola, Antonio, Mila, Manuela, Jovana, Stefanija, and Miki, for their enthusiasm, support, and hospitality. As part of the global YMCA family, our YMCA proudly contributes to building a more peaceful, connected, and stronger Western Balkans with young people at the heart of every change.
Youth Center Bitola: 2024 by the numbers
Latest News Youth Center Bitola: 2024 by the numbers In May 2023, the Youth Center was opened in Bitola, with the aim of providing a safe and inclusive space through various programs, activities and mentoring, where we aim to encourage personal development, cultivate leadership skills and create a sense of belonging among young people. The Youth Center itself is managed by 3 youth organizations from Bitola, YMCA, Sfera International and MKC. After a successful 2023, with a total of 2,651 beneficiaries and more than 200 activities held, the work of the youth center continued with even greater enthusiasm and desire for as many participants and activities as possible. In relation to the 8 previously set specific goals of this center, program activities were offered that have been largely fulfilled. A safe space is provided where young people can spend their free time, develop their competencies, encourage their entrepreneurial spirit, promote healthy lifestyle habits, as well as raise environmental awareness, inform about opportunities for informal education, strengthen active citizenship and promote volunteering. In the reporting period from January 1 to December 31, 2024: 4,469 beneficiaries were covered by over 300 different activities, many of which were held multiple times. The activities were offered by youth workers or by different youth work providers, i.e. over 15 different youth work providers used the spaces of the Youth Center Bitola to carry out their activities. The most visited topics were digital education, mental health, environment, youth participation and youth policies as well as entertainment/social activities. We would like to highlight two program activities, led by the YMCA: The Digital Education Club is one of the most visited clubs in the center for the second year in a row, aiming to achieve greater digital literacy among young people, as well as The Peer School for Mental Health and Children, which with 60 peer educators, included around 2.000 participants in all schools in the Municipality of Bitola, as well as the Peer School against Peer Violence, which included around 170 participants from the high schools. The activities of this school continue in 2025, with a focus on students from primary schools in the Bitola. The results of the work of the Youth Center Bitola in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2024 are proof of the commitment to continuous work and organizing activities aimed at the professional and personal development of young people in Bitola, as well as to encouraging their participation in making decisions that are important to them in their local community. The success of the programs is evident mostly through the continuous increase in the number of visitors to the activities of the youth center, which in the annual period for 2024 has reached higher numbers than the total number of visitors in the previous 2023. This is the result of the organization’s commitment to promoting the Youth Center and increasing its recognition among young people. The full annual report of the youth center in the Macedonian language is available on the Youth Center website.
Promotion of a Safe School Environment
Latest News Promotion of a Safe School Environment In December as part of the project “Promotion of a Safe School Environment”, the YMCA held a series of three workshops in the primary school in the Municipality of Mogila. The project “Promotion of a Safe School Environment” is an extensive project of the Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA in partnership with the Macedonian Center for Civic Education, the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and Smart Up – Social Innovation Lab as well as with support from the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation. It is being implemented in the period from September 2023 to August 2026. Project activities The goal of these workshops was to build the capacity of the children’s organization, so it can implement school initiatives that can contribute to building a safer school environment. The workshops were attended by the upper-class student representatives, including all class presidents, their deputies, and the school’s children’s ombudsman, aged 12 to 15. We started first to improve students’ communication skills, to familiarize them with the concept of research and to offer them an opportunity to exercise aimed at a deeper understanding of everything that research encompasses. As a follow-up activity, they had to conduct research in their school including surveys, questionnaires, or interviews. In the last workshop they reviewed the results and assessed them in a direction to understand and to come up with relevant school initiatives. For this purpose, for the first time they have been introduced to the elements of a project initiative (what a project means, what are the phases of the project cycle, etc.). The students gained basic knowledge of these topics that will be useful for them in the next phase of this project in spring 2025. The student’s initiative The initiative of opening a safe corner for students will be implemented in the second school semester. This corner is planned to be in the school hallway itself, which will consist of 5-6 lazy bags and several tables where students will have a chance to talk to a psychologist about the problems in their everyday lives. On the wall itself, they will have the opportunity to draw motivational messages, a box left for praise and complaints, they will be able to anonymously report their remarks about the school, school staff, their problems, etc. It is intended that this initiative will raise the level of safety among the students, the professional service and school staff and this initiative will contribute towards a better school environment for this generation of students. Photos from this Activity in this Album.
YMCA World Accelerator Summit: Vision 2030 in Mombasa, Kenya
From 21st to 26th October 2024, I had the incredible privilege of attending the YMCA World Accelerator Summit in Mombasa, Kenya.
European Mobility Week
Latest News European Mobility Week The European Mobility Week, which takes place from 16 to 22 September every year, this year covered 2,767 cities from 45 countries. Like every year, this year too, YMCA Bitola marks the European Mobility Week #EuropeanMobilityWeek with the aim of raising public awareness among young people, all citizens and decision-makers about the importance of alternative modes of transport for an active lifestyle, healthier citizens and environments and reduced congestion and pollution. The theme of this year’s campaign was shared public spaces. Our public spaces are unfairly distributed in the different modes of transport with car dominance with over 90%. This must change. We held the first meeting with representatives of primary schools in order to understand the vision of the European Mobility Week. The event was attended by representatives of 7 primary schools from our city, who recognized and accepted the idea of greater student inclusion, as well as raising awareness among younger students. The second event was for 18 students from 6 primary schools in Bitola. We talked about the European Mobility Week, about the bicycle as a means of transport, we had four activities and we had a workshop on basic safety checks and Do-It-Yourself repairs. They need to learn why we should all stand for this vision and have a beautiful and sustainable city. During the rest of the week, peer educators from primary schools carried out activities aimed at sharing this knowledge, so that as many young people as possible could get involved and contribute to the vision of healthy, active, mobile and independent youth. The education on traffic culture and cycling agenda covered the primary schools St. Kliment Ohridski, Dr. Trifun Panovski, Stiv Naumov, Elpida Karamandi, Todor Angelevski and Kole Kaninski. Thanks to the schools who are interested in implementing such activities, to the school staff without whom such activities would not be possible, to the peer educators who joined us, participated, learned something useful and implemented activities in their schools on this topic. Peer education activities are of great importance, both for the city itself for popularizing the topic and for familiarizing students with their responsibilities in traffic. We thank the Go Green – Bidi Zelen association and the Fikamago Bike bike shop and service for their support! Photos from this Event in this Album.
The Strategic Meeting of the YMCA Western Balkans
Latest News The Strategic Meeting of the YMCA Western Balkans From September 23rd to 26th, we had the opportunity to attend the meeting of the Western Balkans Initiative (WBI). This initiative is supported by YMCA Europe, The YMCA of the USA and YMCA Germany to the YMCAs in Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia. The meeting, organized by YMCA Serbia in Novi Sad, focused on sustainability, with a relevant agenda that covered the following main topics: Showcase of YMCA Serbia programs and development Progress report for 2023: Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo Current work plan for the YMCA region (measuring impact) Review of success stories and challenges from Bulgaria, Italy, Romania and Kosovo in property management Best practices from YMCA Germany running hostels Comprehensive fundraising for capital investments EU and Erasmus+ funding opportunities The meeting is a follow-up on the previous West Balkans meetings in extended format with guests from YMCAs from Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Hybrid sessions were attended by representatives of YMCA USA and YMCA Germany. This partnership highlights the importance of shared goals and collaboration between YMCAs, regardless of location, in fostering impactful work across Europe. The progress of the WBI Action Plan 2023-2025, created to enable the appropriate growth of YMCAs from the Western Balkans, was presented. The action plan aims to improve the situation in 3 key areas: youth programs (improve program quality, reach more young people), good governance (improve governance, structures, transparency, financial discipline and establish good conduct policies) and self-sustainability (build meaningful partnerships, income generation programs, fundraising strategies and secure capital investments as a strategic goal for sustainability). This event was a great opportunity to bring together colleagues from different YMCAs to share, learn from each other, dream, be inspired, ask tough questions, share challenges and together build bridges of hope, cooperation and fellowship. A big thank you to YMCA Serbia for the incredible hospitality in the beautiful city of Novi Sad! Photos from this Activity in this gallery.
Final Promotional Event of the Peer School for Mental Health
Latest News Final Promotional Event of the Peer School for Mental Health On June 26, after the completed education of peer educators and the largest peer education held on the importance of mental health in Bitola with a coverage of over 2000 students from elementary and secondary schools in Bitola, as well as in several faculties, the final promotional event of the project. It was a several-hour event, which consisted of presenting the project results, but also a presentation of the additional intellectual and creative results that resulted from the project activities. The promotional event began with a presentation of the steps and phases through which the project moved and how all the modules were through which children and young people from primary, and secondary schools and students were organized. The discussion was opened by Viktor Iliev, president of YMCA Bitola, followed by Prof.Ph.D. Sasho Kochankovski about how the atmosphere was built among the participants of the peer education modules and the social impact that was realized on the involved educators. In this section, the work of the two support groups (groups for persons with disabilities in the family and groups for single-parent families) was shown. The coordinators who led the groups, Renata Dimanovska for the group with single-parent families and Martina Durljanova for the group of families with persons with disabilities, gave presentations for them. Then the manual was shown according to which the work modules for children and young people, as well as for vulnerable groups, were conducted. The explanation for the manual was given by Jovce Krsteski, who in cooperation with Prof.Ph.D Sasho Kochankovski was preparing the appearance of the manual. Before awarding certificates for completed peer education modules, a group of peer educators who have been actively preparing in the past period performed in front of the present audience with their musical score. From the mental health topics they worked on the past year, they created their text and under the guidance of Jasna Dimitrovska, they managed to create their melody for that text and sang their entire idea in front of the audience at this final event. In the end, there was the awarding of certificates of participation and the sharing of gratitude to everyone who participated and helped this project throughout the year. The Mayor of the Municipality of Bitola, Toni Konjanovski, also addressed some of the young people who participated in the activities, as well as participants from the support groups who emphasized the need to continue this type of activities in the city, because there is no enough for this type of work with marginalized groups. offer at the level of the Municipality of Bitola. The event took place on the premises of Europe House in Bitola, where most of the peer educators were present, of course also their peers, parents, some of the professional services from the schools, representatives of civil society organizations, and representatives from the municipality. The representatives from the Municipality gave words of praise for the invested effort, work, and energy for this project to be completed properly and to contribute to enriching and encouraging interest in this issue at a higher and more professional level. With the publication of the manual, Bitola as a city also joins the trend with its contribution to the topic of how to work with peers on topics important to their mental health and well-being. The manual is free and can be downloaded at the following link. Photos from this Activity in this gallery. The project “Peer school for children and youth mental health” of the Youth Association YMCA Bitola has been implemented in the frames of the regional program for local democracy in Western Balkans2 Reload2, financed by the European Union (EU), implemented by United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The project is co-financed by the Municipality of Bitola. The project has been implemented by the YMCA in cooperation with Poraka Nova and Amos.
Philanthropy Forum 2024: Philanthropy as a driver of sustainable development
Latest News Philanthropy Forum 2024: Philanthropy as a driver of sustainable development We had the opportunity to participate in this beautiful and inspiring event in which various stakeholders unite to jointly face the challenges of today. The forum, which was attended by participants from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Singapore, Serbia and Croatia and over 80 participants from institutions, businesses, civil society organizations and media, emphasized that philanthropic efforts play a key role in promoting and building a fairer and sustainable world for all. The forum shared best practices from the Balkans and beyond. Philanthropy is an action that creates more opportunities, partnerships and new models of enhanced cooperation that encourage growth on the path to sustainable development. One of the directions for action that was highlighted is that we should work on promoting strategic philanthropy, and not only on ad-hoc initiatives and providing support in emergency situations. At this event, Konekt also presented the possibilities of the new platform for group giving “Op-op” that allows donors to make thoughtful donations to worthy non-profit organizations that are proven to make big changes. 6 civil society organizations that have gone through the process of checking high international standards were awarded the “Mark of Trust” certificate and are recommended for donors to support. Don Carmine, Director of the USAID Office for Democracy and Good Governance, emphasized that USAID believes that philanthropy can be a driver of sustainable growth. Holders of top executive positions of domestic companies, members of the Konekt Responsible Business Club emphasized that the association of companies in this sustainability initiative will strengthen their positive impact on society in cooperation with the civil society sector. The media panel discussion highlighted the need for good philanthropic practices to rank higher in the topics that are the focus of editorial policies, fostering a national culture of philanthropy. This event is part of the USAID “Giving Partnerships” project implemented by “Konekt” in partnership with the European Center for Nonprofit Law (ECNL), the Chamber of Commerce of North-West Macedonia, Indigo, and the American Chamber of Commerce in North Macedonia
