Back Memorandum signed to establish the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools in North Macedonia

Twenty-five schools join forces to strengthen democratic culture, human rights and inclusive education through a national platform for cooperation and peer learning.
Memorandum signed to establish the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools in North Macedonia

Representatives of 25 schools from across North Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools on 10 March 2026 at the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje. The event was organised within the framework of the project “Quality Education for All – North Macedonia”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany.

The Network connects schools that have participated in the project over the past three years and have worked to strengthen democratic school governance, inclusive learning environments and cooperation with local communities. Through this platform, schools will continue to exchange experiences, share resources and support each other in developing democratic and inclusive practices.

The initiative reflects the Council of Europe’s long-standing commitment to preparing young people for life in democratic societies. It builds on key Council of Europe standards, including the Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education and the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC), which promote dialogue, respect for diversity, inclusion and active participation.

During the event, participating schools also validated the teacher resource “Democratic School Practices for Democratic Values – A Teaching Resource for Democratic Teaching and Learning.” Developed in close cooperation with teachers, school teams and national education institutions, the resource compiles practical methodologies and examples derived from the experience of the 25 pilot schools. Its validation confirms its relevance as a practical tool supporting teachers and school leaders in integrating democratic culture and inclusive approaches into everyday teaching and school life.

Since its launch, the project “Quality Education for All – North Macedonia” has supported the development of democratic and inclusive practices in 25 pilot schools across all statistical regions of the country, engaging more than 1 000 education professionals and stakeholders in capacity-building activities, mentorship cycles and policy dialogue. The project also contributed to strengthening policy implementation through a Mapping Report and 21 policy recommendations, which informed discussions related to the National Education Strategy 2026–2032.

The newly established Network builds on these results and will serve as a sustainable community of practice, supporting continued peer learning, exchange of good practices and further development of democratic culture, human rights and inclusive education within the national education system.


 

Skopje, North Macedonia 10 March 2026
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Project Discription

OBJECTIVES

To promote democracy and human rights in and through education and equip young people with the competences to live in a multicultural society through a comprehensive set of initiatives at the policy and grassroot levels.

Education policy makers as well as school principals, teachers, students and school staff from selected pilot primary and secondary schools and local communities will benefit from the project.

EXPECTED RESULTS/OUTCOMES

  • The implementation of provisions related to inclusive and multicultural education of the National Education Strategy by education policy makers, institutions and professionals is strengthened.
  • 25 pilot schools will be invited to engage with local communities and civil society organisations to ensure an inclusive and enabling learning environment for all learners.
  • Teachers will be given the tools to develop new professional competences, practices and attitudes that better contribute to the development of competences for democratic culture in learners.

ACTIVITIES/OUTPUTS

  • A Mapping Report and policy recommendation on the implementation of the national Education Strategy with a focus on the strategic goal on democratic culture, human rights and inclusive and multicultural education
  • Capacity building: training, mentoring and peer exchanges will be organised for teachers on democratic citizenship education, competences for democratic culture and the whole school approach
  • The creation of a national Democratic and Inclusive School Network for sharing and promoting best practices 
  • School projects: schools will partner with civil society organisations and other community stakeholders to implement the democratic school governance model
  • A regional study visit and student peer exchanges: best practices in creating democratic and inclusive school governance and environments will be shared through a study visit for school teams and two summer academies for schoolgirls and schoolboys 
  • Awareness-raising: numerous conferences, roundtables and awareness-raising events to present project results and raise awareness on inclusive and democratic education will be held
     

PROJECT INFORMATION

This Project is implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany. It is implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia from December 2022 to November 2025.

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PROJECT CONTACTS

Romela Popovikj                Senior Project Officer               +389 2 3100 334                    contact

Nikola Asprovski                Project Assistant                                                                     contact