On 21 May 2025, the project team of “EU Support for the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase Two” held an open day with civil society organisations (CSOs) and citizens at the premises of the "Nikola Karev" Primary School in Krushevo. This event was part of the Mobile Resource Centre initiative in the municipality.
The purpose of the meeting was to inform local organisations about national-level civil society developments, funding opportunities, capacity-building options, and the resources offered by the Civic Resource Center (CRC). The session also addressed other topics relevant to the functioning of local organisations. In addition to CSOs, the event was attended by representatives from the municipal administration, young activists and volunteers, and members of the business community who collaborate with civil society groups.
Lefkija Gajoska, president of the Socio-Economic Center for Tourist Services – Feel Krushevo, a local platform for tourism development, highlighted their focus on promoting the production of local eco-products. She also noted that their access to information has been greatly facilitated with the support to the CRC.
Several youth organisations participated in the meeting, including both newly established groups and those with over 25 years of experience. Antigona Anteska, a representative from the Center for Humane Relations in Krushevo, emphasized that they receive support from the municipality regarding premises, equipment, and financial assistance. She welcomed the CRC's visit, stating that as a small municipality, Krushevo's CSOs need more such meetings to stay informed about civil society developments. Dragan Jankoski, representing the Association for Local Development "Akademik" from Krushevo, shared their experience with international projects and collaboration with the municipality. Notably, one such project led to the construction of a children's amusement park near the memorial house of Tose Proeski. CSOs in Krushevo are networking and collaborating regionally, receiving assistance from the municipality and the House of Culture in terms of space and event organisation support. However, they expressed concerns about the lack of interest and support from the general public.
The visit concluded with a brief meeting with Mayor Tome Hristoski, who confirmed the municipality's support and cooperation with CSOs that operate transparently and accountably. The Unit for Local Economic Development and Cross-Border Cooperation is responsible for facilitating collaboration between civil society, international, humanitarian, and other organisations and municipal administration. While the municipality does not have a separate strategy for cooperation with CSOs, this aspect is included in the Local Economic Development Strategy of Krushevo Municipality for 2023–2027. The municipal budget allocates funds for financing activities of local organisations, which are awarded through an open call for funding CSOs’ activities.
Additionally, the municipality has a Commission for Equal Opportunities between Men and Women and a Youth Officer.
The Mobile Resource Centre visit was organised within the project “EU Support for the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase Two”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the National Civil Society Development Foundation Civic Resource Centre, the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation (MCIC), Media Plus, Štip, and the Association for Democratic Initiatives – ADI, Gostivar.
