The Ministry for Social Policy, Demography and Youth, with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised a capacity building initiative intended for social workers, as well as educational and technical staff from kindergartens from different municipalities in Skopje. The trainings held during 29 and 30 December in Skopje, welcomed 42 participants, aiming to strengthen their capacities to recognise discrimination and promote equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity from an early age.

This initiative recognises the important role that kindergartens play in preventing discrimination and in building equality and inclusion. The social workers who provide social services and work with vulnerable groups contribute significantly in this context. Through interactive sessions the participants were introduced to key concepts related to discrimination, hatred, and intolerance, as well as to their legal, social, and educational aspects.

The programme focused on identifying discriminatory behaviour and harmful stereotypes, understanding their impact on children’s development, and strengthening practical skills for appropriate responses to and prevention of discrimination in everyday professional practice. Special attention was given to the early childhood development institutions in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

These trainings represent a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to align domestic policies and practices with European standards in the field of human rights, equality, and non-discrimination. They also reaffirm the commitment of the Ministry for Social Policy, Demography and Youth, to work with European Union and the Council of Europe, in building inclusive educational and social services that promote respect, dignity, and social cohesion from an early age.

The trainings were supported by the action “Combating Hatred and Intolerance in North Macedonia”, implemented within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.