Joint and co-ordinated efforts to improve efficiency and advance the fight against hatred and intolerance, especially among youth in North Macedonia were agreed during the 5th Steering Committee meeting of the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in North Macedonia” which traditionally gathers the main beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders.

The members of the Steering Committee meeting had productive and fruitful exchanges on the results achieved so far, while they discussed forthcoming interventions emphasising the need to build the capacities of the institutions, as well as awareness raising activities targeting citizens and local communities, with a special focus on youth. 

Some of the notable results and activities that were highlighted were the support to the development of the Action Plan on Equality and Non-discrimination, the small grants dedicated to combating hate speech, as well the preparations of the “Guidelines for Teachers and Parents” for recognising and combating hate speech and bullying in schools.

The action “Combating hatred and intolerance in North Macedonia” is part of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Türkiye”. The action is supporting institutions’ efforts and reforms to develop a harmonised approach to tackle discrimination and hate speech.