More than 100 education professionals, policymakers, and institutional representatives gathered in Skopje for the Final Workshop of the project “Quality Education for All – North Macedonia”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany.

Held under the theme “Empowering Schools for Democratic Education”, the workshop marked the successful conclusion of an intensive school-focused process involving 25 pilot schools from across the country. Over the past two years, these schools have undertaken concrete steps to foster democratic values, strengthen student participation, and promote inclusive learning environments.

The official opening was addressed by Vesna Janevska, Minister of Education and Science of North Macedonia; Jan-Axel Voss, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in North Macedonia; Vesna Atanasova, Head of the Unit for Formal and Non-Formal Education at the Council of Europe; and Oleg Soldatov, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje. The speakers reaffirmed the vital role of democratic citizenship, student engagement, and human rights as core components of quality education.

Key reference was made to the Council of Europe’s Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC), which provided the foundation for capacity development and mentoring support throughout the project.

Through an interactive exhibition, school teams showcased their activities and achievements, offering tangible examples of how democratic principles are translated into everyday school practice. Participants engaged in peer learning and shared reflections on fostering democratic and inclusive schools across diverse social and cultural contexts.

Mentors involved in the project shared their insights into the transformative changes observed at school level, including strengthened student agency, more participatory decision-making, and improved communication within school communities.

Certificates and letters of appreciation were awarded to all participating schools and institutional partners in recognition of their dedication and contributions. The awards were presented by Milka Trimchevska, Director of the Bureau for Development of Education, and Oleg Soldatov, on behalf of the Council of Europe.

The workshop concluded with a forward-looking discussion on sustaining the outcomes achieved and embedding democratic education practices into broader national education reforms.

The project “Quality Education for All – North Macedonia” forms part of the Council of Europe’s broader efforts to support education systems that promote democratic culture, inclusion, and participation. Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, the project contributes to the development of resilient, rights-based learning environments aligned with European standards and values.

For more information about the Council of Europe’s work in education, please visit: www.coe.int/education.