Back First Steering Committee Meeting launches the second phase of the “Quality Education for All” project in North Macedonia

First Steering Committee Meeting launches the second phase of the “Quality Education for All” project in North Macedonia

The first Steering Committee meeting of the project “Quality Education for All – Building Democratic Resilience – North Macedonia” was held on 9 June 2026 in Skopje, marking the official launch of the project’s second phase.

Implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, the project aims to promote democracy and human rights in and through education by supporting the implementation of the National Education Strategy 2026–2032, with a particular focus on democratic culture, inclusive education and human rights-based approaches.

The meeting brought together representatives of key national institutions responsible for the development and implementation of education policies, members of the project's Steering Committee , including the Ministry of Education and Science, the Bureau for Development of Education, the State Education Inspectorate, the State Examination Centre, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Centre for Vocational Education and Training and the Commission for Protection against Discrimination. Representatives of the Ombudsman Office and the General Secretariat of the Government of North Macedonia also participated as observers. Participants discussed the objectives, expected results and planned activities of the new phase of the project, while also reflecting on the achievements and lessons learned from the previous implementation period.

Building on the results achieved through the first phase, the project will continue supporting national authorities, institutions and schools in strengthening democratic school governance, fostering inclusive and participatory learning environments, and developing learners’ competences for democratic culture.

Particular attention will be given to supporting the implementation of the National Education Strategy 2026–2032, strengthening co-operation among relevant stakeholders, promoting democratic and inclusive school practices, and enhancing the sustainability of project results.

The new phase will also introduce innovative initiatives aimed at addressing emerging challenges in education, including activities related to digital democratic citizenship and support for democratic culture and participation within secondary vocational education.

Participants underlined the importance of continued interinstitutional co-operation and reaffirmed their commitment to working together towards a more inclusive, participatory and democratic education system that equips learners with the competences needed to actively participate in a multicultural and democratic society.

The project will be implemented over the next three years and will continue supporting education reforms that contribute to quality education for all learners in North Macedonia.


 

Skopje, North Macedonia 9 June 2026
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Roma Integration – Phase III is a Joint Project of the European Union and the Council of Europe. It aims to strengthen the capacity of governments in the Western Balkans and Türkiye to effectively address the multifaceted challenges faced by the Roma community through the implementation of comprehensive public policies. These policies encompass critical areas such as housing, employment, civil registration, as well as the green and digital transition.

The project will also assist the progressive implementation in the Western Balkans beneficiaries of the “EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020 - 2030”; the 2019 Declaration of Western Balkans partners on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process (Poznan Declaration) and subsequent commitments made by the governments at the annual ministerial meetings and endorsed within the Berlin Process Summits; and progress on fulfilment of Roma inclusion commitments taken under the negotiations Chapter 23. The project will also ensure that the necessary capacity is built at central level for the proper implementation, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting, the reinforcement of the co-operation with local authorities and the progressive alignment with all elements of the EU Roma inclusion policy.

The project will primarily focus on three areas of support:

  1. Mainstreaming of Roma issues in relevant public policies and the fight against antigypsyism;
  2. Support to Roma socio-economic integration and Roma equality in the areas of housing, education, employment, health, civil registration, and in the green and digital transition;
  3. The reinforcement of the institutional capacities of the governments to tackle challenges faced by Roma.

The specific outcomes aimed to be achieved through this project are as follows:

(1) Mainstreaming of Roma issues in relevant public policies and the fight against antigypsyism:

  • Antigypsyism is recognised and addressed through legislation, communication tools and institutions.
  • Institutional capacities of public servants are built on encountering antigypsyism.

(2) Socio-economic inclusion:

  • Employment of Roma is encouraged both in public and private sector including by piloted promising practices and through concrete measures to promote the formalisation of employment.
  • Legalization of informal settlements progresses in the Western Balkans and Türkiye is encouraged to be included among the priorities of the central-level governments in close collaboration with the civil society.
  • Civil registration is resolved for Roma in need through partnership with the governments, relevant local authorities, and civil society organisations.
  • Actions are mainstreamed into the Green Agenda Action Plan for the Western Balkans and the digital transformation agenda.

(3) Institutional capacities:

  • Policies and institutional arrangements dealing with Roma issues exist in the region.
  • Relevant monitoring, including in the national statistical offices, and reporting mechanisms are developed and properly functioning.
  • Budget for Roma planning and reporting is improved in the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
  • Regular regional co-operation ensured, and policies mainstreamed in socio-economic spheres, including regional high-priority issues and actions addressing the specific challenges of Roma.

The project will be implemented in seven Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Kosovo[1], with the duration of 3 years (1 May 2023- 30 April 2026) and is co-financed by the European Union and Council of Europe and implemented by the Roma and Travellers Team, Council of Europe.

This initiative represents a continuation of the preceding two phases implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council, co-funded by the European Union and Open Society Foundations. The aim of the Phase III of the project is to further advance the integration and empowerment of the Roma community by addressing critical issues they face.

The project is based on the Council of Europe's Human Rights Approach principles, focusing on participation and inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, accountability, transparency, and access to information.

 

[1]This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Contacts of the project team based in Strasbourg:

 Marina VASIC, Programme Supervisor

 Cristina MARIAN, Senior Project Officer

 Fanny Hoertz, Project Assistant

Contacts of the Project Officer for North Macedonia and for Montenegro:

 Mersiha USEIN, based in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje

Contacts of the Project Officer for Serbia and for Bosnia and Herzegovina:

 Dragana JOVANOVIC ARIJAS,  based in the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade

Contacts of the Project Officer for Albania and for Kosovo [1]:

 Xhesika KORRA, based in the Council of Europe Office in Tirana

  Irena Ordev, Roma Integration Project Assistant, based in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje