Project title: Improving the Inter Cultural Understanding in multi-ethnic municipalities in Macedonia
Objectives and results of the action: Three rural and three urban municipalities of the North West region of Macedonia: Brvenica, Vrapcishte, Jegunovce, Gostivar, Kichevo, and Tetovo, were the focus on this project. All six locations are characterized as multiethnic and multicultural. The objective of the project was to improve multicultural understanding, to recognize and respect different ethnicities, religious and cultural backgrounds and to introduce a model that can be used nationwide to structure the activities of municipalities in the area of multiculturalism.
Within the project were undertaken many related activities to contribute to achieving the main goal. Prepared was an assessment and analysis of multicultural policies and practices; implemented were trainings on the topics of multiculturalism; in a participatory manner six strategies for developing multicultural dialogue within each municipality were prepared and adopted by the council in each respective municipality. Additionally a campaign was conducted entitled “Diversity in trendy” and finally various measures envisaged in the strategies were implemented. The project activities specifically encompassed: 175 municipal officials, council members, and members of the commissions for community relations; 122 representatives of educational institutions (primary and secondary schools); 32 representatives of civil society organizations; 8 representatives of the religious groups; and 10 members from the media. The campaign and its direct activities included a large number of citizens (more than 3000).
The most significant result of this project (as stated above) was the development and adoption of local strategic documents for developing multicultural dialogue. The strategies have the following aims as common: Transparent local government which fosters coexistence and contributing to intercultural cooperation; Integrated educational system that promotes intercultural dialogue; Enhanced awareness of the citizens about the need for tolerance and coexistence. The process of development of local strategic documents for developing multicultural dialogue in six multiethnic municipalities during the 2013 and their adoption in the first half of 2014 was pioneer step in our country for promotion multicultural democracy as a local democracy. These strategic documents are the first of its kind and serve as a positive model to define the strategic framework and the efforts of the municipalities to promote coexistence and tolerance;
Location of the action: Brvenica, Vrapcishte, Jegunovce, Gostivar, Kichevo, and Tetovo,
Period of implementation: June, 2013 – March, 2015
Donors to the action: British Embassy in Skopje