Following the tragic incident at the “Puls” nightclub, the atmosphere in the municipality has been deeply affected—both among civil society organisations and all residents. In this context, on 24 December 2025, the Mobile Resource Centre organised a meeting with civil society organisations and citizens in Kočani, aiming to create space for dialogue, support, and joint action.
The purpose of the meeting was to inform local organisations, representatives of the municipal administration, youth activists and volunteers, representatives of the business community that collaborate with civil society organisations, and citizens in general about current developments in civil society at the national level, funding opportunities, capacity-building opportunities for CSOs, the services offered by the Civil Society Resource Centre, and other topics of interest for the functioning of organisations at the local level.
Civil society organisations are key drivers of civil society, and their role is especially important in times when the community faces challenges. The meeting addressed current conditions, needs, and opportunities for improving civic engagement.
The Civil Society Resource Centre has been and will remain open for cooperation, offering support through its available resources. Participants unanimously emphasized that there is a lack of a culture of civic initiative and active participation in Kočani. Although activities do exist, they often face low response and insufficient citizen engagement. In this regard, the key conclusions of the meeting highlighted the need for continuous investment in developing civic engagement, with initiatives driven by citizens themselves and with a strong emphasis on self-initiative.
However, there are also positive examples. During 2025, the Local Youth Council – Kočani has been actively working to encourage youth activism, particularly following the tragedy at the “Puls” nightclub. Its members conducted research on the needs of young people and their coping mechanisms in dealing with the aftermath, aiming to provide support and foster positive changes in the community. The conclusion is that recovery is a complex process that requires continuous work from an early age and the involvement of various services to ensure ongoing care for young people.
Young people need dedicated support through the development of programs that motivate them to get involved. Sporadic activities can turn into smart change when strengthened with strategy and continuity.
The joint conclusion is that civil society in Kočani has potential, but it requires ongoing support, motivation, and the development of a culture of participation. In this regard, the Civil Society Resource Centre will continue to act as a partner and resource for all organizations and citizens who wish to contribute to positive change in the community.
This event was organised within the framework of the project “EU Support to the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase 2,” funded by the European Union and implemented by the National Civil Society Development Foundation – Civic Resource Centre, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC), Media Plus – Štip, and the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI) – Gostivar.
