Last week, CARE Balkans and the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) organized the Community of Practice Event in Veles, North Macedonia, as part of the second phase of the Young Men Initiative (YMI) in GBV Prevention in North Macedonia II. This initiative focuses on promoting healthy, nonviolent, and gender-equitable lifestyles among youth.
The two-day event brought together educators, school staff, trainers, and NGOs from across the Balkans to share best practices in integrating life skills education through Program Y(outh) and M(en). Discussions highlighted the program’s success in fostering positive attitudes toward masculinity and equipping young men and girls with skills to handle violent situations.to life healthier lifestyles in Balkans.
The opening panel explored regional experiences in integrating life skills into school curricula, with inspiring insights from all across the Balkans and our partner organisations – Act for Society Centre from Tirana, SPIN okret from Mostar, SIT from Pristina and Status M from Zagreb. Panelists shared practical approaches to embedding these programs in educational systems and addressing cultural barriers.
A second session spotlighted North Macedonia’s achievements, with local organizations presenting their work in engaging youth through Be a Man clubs and educational workshops. Breakout discussions provided actionable strategies for overcoming challenges in implementing life skills education, including ways to address prejudices among parents and gain policy support.
Participants collaborated in a World Café sessions, brainstorming ways to tailor life skills programs to vulnerable youth, utilize youth clubs for engagement, and position schools as community hubs for promoting nonviolence and gender equality.
The event also featured a screening of the powerful short film “Dear Me,” which follows the journeys of young men from Belgrade, growing into advocates for gender equality through YMI programs with support from Centre E8.
The Community of Practice concluded with participants developing roadmaps for scaling up life skills education in North Macedonia. Discussions emphasized integrating programs into formal curricula, securing resources, and addressing societal resistance.
This event demonstrated the power of collaboration, leaving attendees inspired and equipped with innovative solutions to empower young people and tackle gender-based violence. With its expansion to seven new municipalities, the YMI program continues to lead the way toward a more equitable and nonviolent future.
This project is implemented by the Center for Research and Policy Making in cooperation with CARE Balkans and youth associations, with the generous support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in North Macedonia.
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