On 29th and 30th May 2025, a two-day training on advocacy and lobbying was held in Mavrovo, intended for adults, pensioners, and 20 people from Gostivar and the surrounding area participated.
The goal of this training was for senior citizens from Gostivar and the surrounding area to strengthen their capacities for advocacy and contribution to decision-making processes on issues related to older people in the municipality and the opportunities for developing a care economy. At this training, the participants had the opportunity to enrich their knowledge of advocacy, as well as to practically apply them. First, what is advocacy, forms and approaches - who, when and how advocates - was defined. Then, key elements of successful advocacy, setting goals and recognizing the problem, analysing key stakeholders, identifying priorities and mapping stakeholders. Furthermore, work was done on preparing for a practical advocacy action, action planning – strategy, goals and communication channels, creating messages and communicating with institutions/key stakeholders. As part of this training, the participants also worked on preparing the advocacy team with realistic roles and tactics, and through a simulated advocacy meeting, they prepared for a consultative process in defining priorities for the elderly and presenting their priorities to the municipal administration. A realistic selection of a coordination team for these purposes was also made, which will further work on implementing local initiatives for advocacy and inclusion of the elderly in positive social trends in the municipality of Gostivar, especially in the area of improving social services for this category of citizens and providing care services.
In addition to this training, in order to increase the influence of civil society organisations in creating local policies aimed at developing and improving social protection services for the elderly and the opportunities for developing a care economy, within this local initiative of the Association for the Provision of Social Services SOCIO, Gostivar, a mapping of the situation with the elderly in the municipality of Gostivar is planned, the data of which will enable the identification of the main priorities and areas where intervention is needed. This may include health needs, social support, access to services and other relevant factors. Based on the data obtained during the mapping, recommendations for policies and programs will be formed that will address the identified needs. These recommendations are planned to be discussed and revised by all stakeholders at the municipal level, and based on the recommendations and feedback from the consultations, a public policy document is planned to be developed, which will include a clear vision, goals and plan. It will be submitted for adoption by the Municipality of Gostivar, and at the same time will be publicly promoted at the open day planned as part of the project. This document will clearly define the priorities for the elderly and further development of home care, health care and social support programs at the municipal level.
The training is organised under the project “Local Initiative for Improving Social Services for the Elderly” implemented by the Association for Providing Social Services SOCIO, Gostivar in partnership with the Association for Culture, Sports and Education ANISIJA from Gostivar. This
