Combating Hatred and Intolerance in North Macedonia

Back Empowering Social Workers to Combat Discrimination and Antigypsyism

Irena BABUSHKOVSKA

Modified 6 Months ago.

Empowering Social Workers to Combat Discrimination and Antigypsyism

Combating discrimination and antigypsyism are important priorities in the efforts of the Council of Europe to build equal and inclusive societies. Social workers in North Macedonia are often at the forefront in working with vulnerable communities, helping and supporting them. In this framework, 22 social workers from across North Macedonia participated in a specialised training on anti-discrimination and combating antigypsyism organised in co-operation with the Ministry for the Social Policy, Demography and Youth, with the support of the European Union and Council of Europe.

The training provided a comprehensive overview of key antidiscrimination principles, practical tools, and specific strategies to counter antigypsyism - a form of racism and discrimination that continues to affect Roma communities across Europe. Participants discussed the legal framework on anti-discrimination, as well as the history and impact of antigypsyism movement in the region. Tools for identifying and addressing hatred in local contexts were shared during the activity. Participants had the opportunity to analyse case studies, discuss challenges faced by Roma persons, and share best practices for supporting victims of discrimination and antigypsyism. They also learned more about effective intervention strategies, ensuring that theory was closely linked with practical application.

The training empowered participants to develop concrete steps for integrating anti-discrimination principles into their daily work. Many expressed renewed commitment to advocating for the rights of Roma and other vulnerable groups at the local level.

This activity is part of the ongoing efforts of the European Union and the Council of Europe to support public institutions in North Macedonia in building cohesive, equal, and inclusive society. It was organised under the joint EU and Council of Europe project “Roma Integration - Phase III” in partnership with the Ministry for Social Policy, Demography and Youth with the support of the joint EU and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility III” programme and its Action on “Combating Hatred and Intolerance.”

Skopje, North Macedonia 23 February 2026

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This action offers assistance in improving the record of fighting discrimination, hate speech and hate crime in North Macedonia Combating discrimination and hate speech are essential in protecting human rights and are also very closely connected to the EU assession processes. This action offers unique approach to tackling these areas and supports the strengthening the capacity of the key beneficiaries and stakeholders to better address issues related to anti-discrimination, combating hate speech and protecting rights of LGBTI persons in line with the standards and recommendations set by the Council of Europe – especially those of the European Commission on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), as well as to support North Macedonia's alignment to European standards in the field of fundamental rights.

What are the objectives of the action?

The main objectives of the action are:

To support institutions’ efforts and reforms to develop harmonised institutional approach to tackle discrimination and hate speech
To increase the awareness of the general population in North Macedonia regarding the dangers of hate speech and the different tools that can be used to prevent and combat it

Who benefits from the action?

Public institutions and related actors in the field in North Macedonia will benefit from the technical assistance and raising awareness initiatives, so they can contribute towards improving the anti-discrimination policies, and policies addressing hate speech and hate crime, as well as its redress mechanisms.

The action final beneficiaries are the people of North Macedonia and the vulnerable communities such as LGBTI, smaller ethnic groups, etc., whose protection of human rights will be improved.

How will the action work?

The action builds on the work done and results achieved under the previous phase of the Horizontal Facility programme in line with the focussed points in the field of racism and intolerance in Europe as outlined in the Annual Reports of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).

The action provides capacity building initiatives adapting existing tools and methodologies of the Council of Europe, technical support as part of North Macedonia’s EU accession process, and awareness raising on combatting discrimination and promoting diversity towards youth and the general population

The action is working with Government representatives in charge of combating discrimination and hate speech; Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination; law enforcement officials, judiciary and legal professionals and civil society organizations and youth activists.

What do we expect to achieve?

Public institutions improve their record of reforms to combat discrimination, hatred and racism in line with European standards
Equality Bodies and relevant institutions in North Macedonia improve their capacity in combating discrimination in line with ECRI standards and recommendations and EU anti-racism action plan.
North Macedonia’s central and local level institutions improve the fight against hate speech and hate crime and strengthens victims’ protection
The people in North Macedonia and in particular vulnerable groups are more aware of the dangers of hate and racism to cohesion of societies and the way to address them.

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the actions is 450,000 Euros.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe)

About the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.