Young people are the driving force of every society, brimming with energy, ideas, and a desire to improve and reshape the world around them. To turn these ideas into reality, they need spaces where they can express themselves, learn, create, and connect. This is precisely why youth centers exist – to provide environments where young people feel accepted, motivated, and inspired.
Youth centers are dedicated spaces for education, socializing, and organizing, enabling young people to actively participate in community life. These centers can be established by local authorities, non-governmental organizations, or international projects, and their management varies – some are led by public institutions, while others are managed by civic organizations or private citizen initiatives.
In the Republic of North Macedonia, youth centers were established in accordance with the Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies, adopted in January 2020. This law defines youth centers as services for young people and mandates that all municipalities ensure the operation of at least one youth center within five years of the law’s adoption. The goal of these centers is to provide young people with access to non-formal education, career counseling, cultural activities, and volunteering opportunities.
For example, the Youth Cultural Center (YCC) in Skopje is a public institution under the jurisdiction of the City of Skopje. Its programs are funded by the budgets of both the City of Skopje and the Ministry of Culture. Additionally, the YCC secures funding through its own activities, private sponsorships, donations, and European funds.
The first youth centers were established in Bitola, Veles, Kavadarci, and Kumanovo through the cooperation of local governments, the Agency for Youth and Sports, and the Union for Youth Work. Subsequently, similar centers were also opened in Probishtip, Ohrid, and Lipkovo, bringing the total number to seven. Several other municipalities have also begun the process of establishing youth centers. Within the framework of the National Youth Strategy 2023-2027, an ambitious goal has been set to increase their number to 42 centers by 2027. The Electoral Support Programme promoted the establishment of youth centers through a series of innovative initiatives led by community mobilizers and Academy for Public Policy participants, who identified the need for such centers and actively advocated for their creation.
Successful Examples of Youth Centers in North Macedonia
The projects carried out in youth centers, such as those in Kumanovo, Gostivar, Kavadarci, and Veles, undoubtedly leave a profound impact on the social environment.
Velika Srbakova, a representative of the Youth Center in Kavadarci, emphasized the need to create more youth centers, especially in smaller towns. She highlighted that these centers play a crucial role in providing opportunities for young people in communities where resources are often scarce.
“To increase interest, it is important for programs to be innovative, accessible, and promoted through social networks and local events. For example, we recently conducted activities in the village of Vatasha to bring the concept of a youth center closer to young people and show them what happens in such a center,” Srbakova stated.
Youth centers also play a vital role in ensuring social and ethnic cohesion. The Youth Center in Kumanovo stands out with its multicultural activities, creating a space where young people from different ethnic communities can meet, communicate, and work together without prejudice or stereotypes. This approach fosters solidarity and mutual respect, presenting the center as an example of inclusivity and coexistence.
The Youth Center in Veles is particularly active in partnerships with local and international organizations, offering innovative and high-quality programs that reflect the real needs of young people. Through these partnerships, young people can express themselves, work on projects to improve their communities, and play an active role in shaping the future of Veles.
Additionally, youth centers play a crucial role in reducing the emigration of young people. Through their activities, they contribute to creating a dynamic community where young people can connect, express themselves, and engage in social processes. They also encourage institutional support and youth participation, thereby reducing the perception that emigration is the only option for a better life. In this context, the iCan Youth Center in Gostivar distinguishes itself with its focus on innovation and technology, offering training in programming and cybersecurity. These skills, essential for personal and professional success in today’s world, enable young people to advance in their careers and create new opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Nazif Selimi, a representative of the Youth Center in Gostivar, stated that the iCan Youth Center has become successful through various activities that cater to the interests and needs of young people.
“Key factors for success are inclusivity, regular interactive workshops, a focus on creativity and personal development, as well as 24-hour accessibility. The center also has a game room, which is a favorite spot for young people,” Selimi noted.
The Youth Center in Kavadarci also offers excellent programs for developing soft skills and promoting positive mental health, which have a significant impact on boosting self-confidence and personal development among young people. Through these activities, young people learn how to cope with life’s challenges, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership abilities.
The Significant Role of Youth Centers for Personal and Professional Development
In March 2023, the Municipality of Kumanovo issued a public call to select a youth organization to manage the Youth Center in the city. The goal was to ensure systemic support for the personal development of young people and their active engagement in the community. The selected organization will manage the center for five years, from March 2023 to March 2028.
The Youth Center is an open space, accessible to young people for at least 40 hours a week, spread over at least five days. Activities will include non-formal education, information sessions, mentorship, teaching, counseling, and participation in fun and volunteer activities organized by and for young people. The Municipality of Kumanovo has provided financial support of 600,000 denars per year, totaling 3,000,000 denars for the five-year period.
Velika Srbakova, a representative of the Youth Center in Kavadarci, noted that the response from young people regarding youth centers has been very positive.
“The center is known for its ‘by young people, for young people’ approach, where young people actively participate in gathering ideas for the programs and activities we conduct, and can be actively involved as volunteers in some of these activities. Good practices include regularly gathering feedback, organizing interactive events, and collaborating with local civic organizations,” Srbakova explained.
According to Martina Stamenkova, a representative of the Youth Center in Veles, youth centers in her city, as in other municipalities, create a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop and feel accepted.
“For them to continue having a positive effect, it is essential to continuously invest in resources, train staff, and adapt programs according to the new needs of young people,” Stamenkova noted, speaking about the further development of the centers.
Fjola Jakupi, a representative of the DUI party, emphasized the need to improve cooperation between youth centers, local authorities, and other key partners. She suggested developing a joint strategy that incorporates the needs of young people, encourages open communication and regular meetings to align goals and resources, and promotes joint projects that directly impact young people.
“This may include initiatives for educational programs, volunteering, and local development projects,” Jakupi added. She noted the importance of using social media to promote and inform about all the opportunities offered by the centers.
“In addition to spaces designed for social and conference events, youth centers have strong potential to contribute to social events that appeal to young people, and at the same time enable networking among them,” said Nikola Cvetkovski, a representative of the VMRO-DPMNE party.
Conclusion
The expansion of youth centers and their support at the national level is of great importance for retaining young people in the country. These centers represent spaces for personal and professional development, as well as platforms that provide opportunities for young people to grow and realize their potential. It is necessary to create more such spaces, especially in smaller and rural municipalities, where young people can find alternatives for development without being forced to leave their homes. Therefore, the active involvement of young people in youth centers is of utmost importance for their personal development as well as for ensuring a stable future for the entire country.
