Pro Local attended the event “Just Energy Transition in Pelagonia – New Skills, Innovation and Sustainable Economic Development”, organized by MKC Bitola and Eco-Svest Skopje, in cooperation with the Local Economic and Social Council of the Municipality of Bitola.

The event brought together representatives of institutions, local authorities, the business sector, civil society organizations, and educational institutions, with the aim of fostering constructive dialogue on the future of the Pelagonia region and the process of just energy transition.

In their addresses, the Mayor of Bitola, Toni Konjanovski, the Ambassador of Sweden, Ola Sohlström, and the other speakers emphasized the importance of creating new green jobs, developing new skills, and implementing sustainable economic policies that will contribute to local development and a better future for citizens.

Pro Local strongly supports the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders within the community and remains actively committed to monitoring and contributing to processes that promote sustainable development, innovation, and greater opportunities for young people and the local community.

Pro Local was part of the event dedicated to the theme “Sustainable Partnership”, organized by the Swedish-Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club “Shirok Sokak”, the Swedish Alumni Network, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Skopje.

The event brought together distinguished representatives from the business community, civil society sector, and local self-government, including the Mayor of the Municipality of Bitola, Toni Konjanovski, the Mayor of the Municipality of Novaci, Stevche Stevanovski, as well as His Excellency Ola Sohlström, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to North Macedonia.

Throughout the event, important discussions were initiated regarding the cooperation between institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations, with a strong focus on building long-term and sustainable partnerships that contribute to local and economic development.

The President of Pro Local, Emilia Gjeroska, emphasized that young people are the key driving force behind every new investment and an essential factor in the success of every business. She highlighted that investing in youth, their skills, ideas, and potential represents the foundation for creating a sustainable economy and a resilient local community.

Pro Local remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and the creation of new opportunities for young people and the wider community.

On March 27, 2026, at the Officer’s House in Bitola, the final event of the sub-project “Mental Health Among Youth” was successfully held, as part of the project “Youth Policies Tailored to Youth”.

From October 2025 to March 2026, Pro Lokal, in cooperation with all high schools in Bitola, continuously worked with young people through monthly events dedicated to various aspects of mental health. Through open discussions, interactive workshops, and joint activities, young people had the opportunity to share experiences, learn, and actively contribute to creating a supportive and safe environment.

The final event served as an opportunity to summarize the achieved results, amplify the voices of young people, and highlight the importance of continuous care for mental health. The event was attended by representatives of the local government, including the Mayor, as well as young participants who were actively involved in the project activities over the past six months.

As part of the event, a panel discussion titled “Youth and Mental Health – What Happens in Practice” was held, bringing together professionals in the field of psychology. Through open dialogue, practical experiences from working with young people were shared, along with everyday challenges and recommendations for improving mental health support within the education system and the wider community.

The event was further enriched by an artistic program prepared by students from SOU “Taki Daskalo” Bitola. Through the dramatization “The Silence That Screams”, the recital “The Voice of Silence”, and a musical performance, young people expressed their perspectives on mental health in an emotional and authentic way, highlighting the importance of understanding and support.

This event once again confirmed the need to create safe spaces where young people can be heard, understood, and supported. At the same time, it sent a strong message – when young people are actively involved, change is possible.

The project “Youth Policies Tailored to Youth” is supported by the Government of Switzerland through the Civica Mobilitas program.

The first part of the programme was dedicated to mechanisms for youth participation at the local level. Together with Jovana Jordanovska and Martin Krstić, Youth Officer at the Municipality of Kumanovo, participants discussed the ways in which young people can actively engage in decision-making processes and become drivers of positive change within their communities. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of creating spaces where the voices of young people are heard, valued, and translated into meaningful action.

The programme continued with a strong focus on field findings and the implementation of practical tools and mechanisms for youth engagement. Rubin Nikoloski presented the role and impact of ZMUMP at the local level, while Emilia Gjeroska shared the experiences and practices of Pro Local in the field of youth engagement and active participation. Through real-life examples and practical tools, participants gained valuable insight into successful models of youth participation and local action.

During the second day of the training, Prof. Dr. Shiret Elezi introduced participants to the topic of the anatomy of local finances and the role of ZMUMP as a powerful tool for inclusive youth budgeting. The session opened important discussions on how local budgets function, where opportunities for youth influence exist, and how young people can actively participate in planning and allocation processes.

The third day focused on the development of concrete youth policy proposals and collective advocacy. Together with Jovana Jordanovska, participants worked on creating practical youth policy recommendations, while discussions with Prof. Dr. Shiret Elezi addressed the initiative for introducing a dedicated budget line “YOUTH” as a mechanism for stronger support and inclusion of young people within local policies and governance processes.

The training concluded with a shared understanding that youth participation is a key pillar in building more inclusive, democratic, and sustainable local communities. The three days were filled with knowledge exchange, practical work, discussions, and innovative ideas, leaving participants with new perspectives, strengthened partnerships, and even greater motivation to create meaningful change within their communities.

The project “Civic Circles: From Institutional Silence to Youth-Led Dialogue” culminated in the Regional Youth Exchange Forum, held from 26 to 29 March 2026 at Hotel Millenium Palace, in Ohrid. The forum brought together approximately 30 young participants from North Macedonia and Albania, who, through a series of interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions, actively contributed to advancing youth participation in democratic processes.

The forum served as a significant platform for networking and partnership-building among young people from both countries, fostering an environment conducive to open dialogue, exchange of ideas, and sharing of experiences related to civic engagement. Through a carefully structured programme, participants engaged in identifying key challenges faced by youth at the local level, while collaboratively developing innovative and sustainable solutions.

Particular emphasis was placed on joint work within a multicultural setting, enabling participants to enhance their communication and teamwork skills, while simultaneously building mutual trust and understanding. Throughout the forum, concrete proposals and recommendations were developed, aimed at improving youth policies, strengthening transparency and accountability of local institutions, and encouraging more active youth involvement in decision-making processes.

Furthermore, the forum contributed to strengthening cross-border cooperation between North Macedonia and Albania, underscoring the importance of a regional approach in addressing shared challenges. By exchanging best practices and experiences, participants laid a solid foundation for future joint initiatives and long-term collaboration.

The regional project “Civic Circles: From Institutional Silence to Youth-Led Dialogue” is implemented by the Youth Cultural Centre – Bitola, in partnership with Pro Local – Bitola and the nine municipalities of the Pelagonia region.

The activity is supported through the RYCOgnizing YPS grant scheme, funded by German Cooperation and implemented by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).

The second cycle of the Local Democratic Circles, held during the month of February, represents a significant step forward in the continuous strengthening of youth participation in local decision-making processes. Through this cycle, young people from all nine municipalities of the Pelagonia region had the opportunity to actively engage in a structured dialogue with local institutions, within a safe, open, and inclusive space for exchanging ideas and co-creating solutions.

During the first cycle of the Local Democratic Circles, young participants openly shared their experiences, perspectives, and the challenges they face within their communities, as well as their visions for the changes they consider necessary to improve quality of life. These contributions served as a foundation for the continuation of the process, enabling a deeper understanding of youth needs at the local level.

In the second cycle, these ideas were further reviewed and elaborated in direct consultation with representatives of local self-government units. Within this process, one priority issue was identified for each municipality, emerging as the most significant based on local context and youth perspectives. Through a transparent and democratic voting process, young people themselves determined the most urgent need in their communities, thereby strengthening their role in decision-making processes.

Following the selection of priorities, participants worked collaboratively to develop concrete, realistic, and actionable initiatives aimed at addressing the identified challenges. The elaborated proposals were formally prepared and submitted to the relevant municipal institutions for consideration and further integration into local policies and measures.

Approximately 150 young participants and representatives from all nine municipalities of the Pelagonia region took part in the second cycle, further confirming the regional importance of the process and the shared commitment to enhancing youth participation, dialogue, and cooperation between young people and institutions.

The regional project “Civic Circles – From Institutional Silence to Youth-Led Dialogue” is implemented by the Youth Cultural Center – Bitola, in partnership with Pro Local – Bitola and the nine municipalities of the Pelagonia region.

Within the framework of the project “Youth Policies Tailored to Youth,” and as part of the activities aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of young people in Bitola, a creative and educational workshop titled “Shopping and Mental Health” was held on 6 February 2026 at the premises of Bliss Mall.

The activity took place in a setting that naturally brings young people together — a space where they socialize, spend their free time, and make everyday purchasing decisions. It was precisely in this environment that an open discussion was initiated on conscious consumption, the emotional value often attributed to shopping, and the question of whether material possessions truly provide lasting happiness, or whether a sense of fulfillment stems from inner stability and self-awareness.

The workshop commenced with an introductory presentation by M.A. Marija Magdalena Petkovska Mikarovska on the topic “Shopping as Therapy for Mental Health.” The discussion addressed the impact of purchasing behavior on mood, the distinction between impulsive and mindful consumption, and the short-term effects of so-called “retail therapy.” Particular emphasis was placed on sustainable habits and the potential of thrift shopping as a responsible and environmentally conscious practice.

This was followed by the interactive exercise “My Happy Market – Buy Without Money,” facilitated by M.A. Marija Mladenovska Dimitrovska. Through this creative activity, participants were encouraged to symbolically “purchase” values and emotions rather than material goods, reflecting on what they genuinely need in order to feel fulfilled. The exercise fostered sincere dialogue and created space for personal reflection on individual habits and priorities.

The workshop concluded in a pleasant atmosphere with light refreshments at Aurum Bliss, where discussions continued informally, allowing for further connection and deeper exploration of the topic.

This activity reaffirmed that care for mental health can begin within everyday spaces, through conversations that resonate with the real-life habits and experiences of young people. Conscious consumption, critical thinking, and personal responsibility represent essential steps toward psychological resilience and a more sustainable way of living.

The project “Youth Policies Tailored to Youth” is supported by the Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas.

As part of the project “Youth Policies Tailored to Young People,” and within a sub-project addressing the challenges of youth mental health in Bitola, on 30 December 2025 Pro Local, in cooperation with students and teachers from the Secondary School “Taki Daskalo” – Bitola, paid a visit to the Elderly Care Home “St. Spas” in the village of Kravari.

The activity took place in the spirit of the upcoming New Year holidays, yet with a deeper purpose: to create a safe and humane space for connection, conversation, and the exchange of experiences, as a response to the growing pressures, doubts, and inner struggles faced by young people today.

The students and teachers arrived with homemade cookies—a small but heartfelt gesture of attention and respect. The visit soon evolved into a warm gathering filled with smiles, care, and genuine closeness. Through simple acts of kindness such as conversation, presence, and attentiveness, a true intergenerational bond was formed.

In these quiet and sincere conversations, the residents of the home shared their life stories, memories, and lessons—words rich in experience and perspective, which for the young participants served as encouragement and a reminder that very few things in life are final, and that even the most difficult moments eventually pass.

The encounter was reciprocal: the young people came to offer care, and left with a renewed outlook on life. At the same time, the residents felt heard, valued, and reassured that their wisdom holds an important place within the community.

On the eve of the New Year, this initiative stood as a powerful reminder that care for mental health does not always begin with words, but with human connection, understanding, and shared time. Small gestures can create meaningful change—for those who give them, and for those who receive them.

Pro Local, together with its partners and the psychologists from the city’s secondary schools, will continue to implement activities that actively involve young people in the creation of policies and initiatives designed according to their needs, with a particular focus on mental well-being, social responsibility, and the strengthening of the local community.

The project “Youth Policies Tailored to Young People” is supported by the Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas.