Civic Circles: From Institutional Silence to Youth-Led Dialogue
BY eatech
Civic Circles: From Institutional Silence to Youth-Led Dialogue
February 10, 2026
Implemented by the Youth Cultural Center – Bitola (MKC Bitola) in partnership with Pro Local Bitola and all 9 municipalities from the Pelagonia region, and supported through the RYCOgnizing YPS grant scheme funded by German Cooperation and implemented by RYCO, the project aimed to strengthen youth participation and bridge the gap between young people and local institutions.
The journey began in early December 2025 with a two-day training for members of Local Youth Councils from Bitola, Prilep, Krushevo, and Krivogashtani. Through interactive and practical sessions, participants explored the legal framework for youth participation, their roles and responsibilities as council members, and key skills such as advocacy, strategic planning, and communication with local authorities. This training laid the foundation for more confident, informed, and proactive youth representatives ready to engage in local decision-making processes.
Building on this momentum, the project introduced Local Democratic Circles across all nine municipalities in the Pelagonian region—Bitola, Prilep, Krushevo, Krivogashtani, Resen, Demir Hisar, Mogila, Novaci, and Dolneni. These circles created a much-needed space for dialogue between young people and municipal representatives.
During the first cycle, young participants openly shared their views on what is missing in their communities and what changes they want to see. In the second cycle, these ideas were revisited in consultation with local authorities, leading to the identification of one priority issue per municipality. Through a democratic voting process, young people selected the most pressing need and worked collectively on developing concrete initiatives, which were later formally submitted to their municipalities.
With more than 300 young participants involved, the Local Democratic Circles demonstrated the power of inclusive dialogue—where youth voices are not only expressed, but taken into consideration in shaping local policies.
The project culminated in a Regional Youth Exchange Forum held in Ohrid from 26 to 29 March 2026, bringing together around 30 young participants from North Macedonia and Albania. The forum served as a platform for connection, exchange of ideas, and collaborative work on shared challenges related to democratic participation and civic engagement. Participants developed a joint statement aimed at improving youth policies at the local level, strengthening regional cooperation and mutual understanding.
Beyond numbers and activities, the true impact of the project is best reflected in the voices of its participants:
“Being part of the Civic Circles showed me that youth participation is not just a concept—it is a real process that can influence decisions. The experience boosted my confidence to speak up and collaborate with local authorities for positive change.”
By turning institutional silence into meaningful dialogue, this initiative proved that when young people are empowered, supported, and included, they become key drivers of positive change in their communities.
Author: Zlatko Talevski, Executive Director at Youth Cultural Center – Bitola
Regional Youth Cooperation Office
RYCO is an intergovernmental organization that stewards and promotes regional and intercultural cooperation of young people within and among Western Balkans societies. RYCO’s programs focus on creating opportunities for young people to engage in activities that build mutual understanding and reconciliation in the civic, social, educational, cultural, and sports domains. RYCO initiates and participates in policymaking and advocates for reform. It supports the development of a political and social environment that empowers and facilitates youth exchange.RYCOgnizing YPS
RYCOgnizing YPS is a RYCO granting scheme dedicated to supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Western Balkans that work with youth to advance the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. This initiative empowers CSOs to scale up ** youth-led initiatives** through actions focused on the five YPS pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement and Reintegration.The scheme places a strong emphasis on supporting youth-led and youth-responsive projects that bring tangible, localized impact at the municipal level, particularly by enhancing youth security and engagement in governance and policy-making processes.
