As part of the joint project “Quality Education for All – North Macedonia”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the establishment of a national Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools took place on 10 September 2025 in North Macedonia.

The creation of this Network marked an important milestone in promoting sustainable democratic and inclusive transformation in the country’s education system. By bringing together 25 pilot primary and secondary schools, which have been actively engaged in the project, the Network will ensure that the good practices developed within the initiative are shared, multiplied, and embedded across the education sector.

The Network is designed to provide long-term benefits for schools, teachers, and learners. It will function as a community of practice, supporting peer-to-peer exchange and capacity-building among schools. This collaboration will allow school teams to jointly address challenges, develop innovative approaches to democratic governance, and create more inclusive and participatory learning environments. For teachers, the Network offers access to support materials and professional development opportunities, enabling them to strengthen their competences in inclusive and democratic teaching practices. Ultimately, learners will benefit from more inclusive school cultures, where their voices are valued and their diverse needs respected.

The forum officially launched the Network and introduced its structure, goals, and modalities of work. Participants also reviewed and discussed the first draft of teacher support and training materials, designed to sustain and further build on the achievements of the project. These materials will serve as practical tools to guide teachers in applying democratic and inclusive approaches in the classroom and to support schools in embedding these principles into their governance structures.

The programme featured opening remarks by representatives of the Council of Europe, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Bureau for Development of Education. This was followed by a presentation of the Network concept, an introduction of the draft support materials, and an open discussion on challenges and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting concluded with an agreement on coordination mechanisms and concrete next steps for the Network’s operationalisation.

This initiative demonstrated the Council of Europe’s continued commitment, together with its partners, to ensuring that the principles of quality, inclusiveness, and democracy remain at the heart of education in North Macedonia. By investing in such sustainable structures, the project has contributed not only to strengthening school governance but also to empowering teachers and learners to become active and responsible members of a democratic society.