Twenty-five schools across North Macedonia are taking on a new role as mentors, sharing their experience and good practices with 25 additional partner schools. This was the main focus of the first working meeting of the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools, held on 28 October 2026 at the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje.

The meeting brought together representatives of schools that, over the past three years, have worked to strengthen democratic school governance, inclusive teaching and respect for diversity through the first phase of the “Quality Education for All” project. In the new project phase, they will share the knowledge they have gained through mentoring, peer learning and practical co-operation.

Through interactive discussions and group work, participants reviewed achievements to date, their capacities and areas where further support is needed. Particular attention was paid to identifying new partner schools, taking into account geographical coverage, local education needs and challenges related to equal opportunities and preventing segregation.

The proposals put forward during the meeting will contribute to the selection of new partners and the planning of mentoring activities in 2027.

Established in March 2026, the Network is set to expand from 25 to 50 schools, with the aim of fostering long-term co-operation, the exchange of successful practices and school environments in which every child feels welcomed, respected and encouraged to participate actively.

The event was organised within the framework of the project “Quality Education for All – Building Democratic Resilience – North Macedonia”, implemented by the Council of Europe with financial support from Germany, in co-operation with national education institutions.