Bitola youth policy project proposed as national model

North Macedonia’s Minister of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth, Djoko Velkovski, has proposed using the ‘Youth Policies for Youth’ project in Bitola as a model for other planning regions across the country. The project, implemented by the organization Pro Lokal, aims to strengthen the participation of young people and civil society organizations in local and national decision-making processes.

As part of the initiative in the Pelagonia region, nine municipalities established a Regional Youth Platform to identify and analyze youth needs. Through five sessions, 24 priority measures were adopted, 13 of which have already been implemented. These measures cover sectors including education, sports, public transport, mental and physical health, culture, tourism, environment, volunteering, and entrepreneurship.

Bitola Mayor Toni Konjanovski emphasized that cooperation between the municipality, youth, and the civil sector is vital for city development and for encouraging young people to engage actively in social life. The goal is to better address youth needs to prevent migration and encourage those living abroad to return.