On 24th December 2024, a regional networking event was held at the Resource Center in Gostivar, organised by the project team of “EU Support for the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase 2”. The event provided an opportunity for civil society organisations (CSOs) from the region to exchange experiences, share achievements in 2024, discuss future initiatives, and build partnerships and collaboration for strengthening civil society in the Polog region.
“The civil society sector has achieved significant successes, and it is good when we can share these successes and learn from each other. Throughout this year, 225 events were organised at the Resource Center in Gostivar, with a total of 2,350 participants. The Resource Centre is positioning itself as a home for CSOs in Gostivar, a place where they can receive support for their ideas, activities, and partnerships. All of this contributes to strengthening the sector in the region,” shared Lulzim Haziri, Executive Director of the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), Gostivar, the organisation that manages the Resource Centre in Gostivar.
Valentina Veličkovska, Executive Director of the Civic Resource Centre (CRC), shared the achievements in 2024 and the services provided by CRC, such as the online Academy for Civil Society Organisations; the Self-assessment tool for organisational capacities; Online database of advocacy Initiatives for Civil Society Organisations; trainings, workshops, advisory support, financial support, and providing space.
The event was supported by a large number of organisations that had previously collaborated with the Civic Resource Center (CRC), as well as new organisations that expressed interest in future cooperation. This further confirmed the importance of such initiatives for the civil society. One of the participants, Kyle Karl from the Center for Youth and Community – Gostivar, emphasized the significance of these meetings. After completing his studies in the United States, he began volunteering in Macedonia, recognizing the great potential and opportunities, which led him to decide to continue working and living in the country.
“Networking is of immense importance for civil society organisations. Sharing challenges often sparks creative ideas and opens up opportunities for new collaborations,” stated Kyle Carl.
The Civic Resource Center (CRC) remains committed to strengthening the capacities and resilience of CSOs, creating conducive environment for their efficiency, accountability, and independence, as well as involving citizens and state institutions in building a more sustainable civil society.
The event was organised with the project “EU Support to Civil Society Resource Centre – phase 2 funded by the European Union, implemented by the National Civil Society Development Foundation Civic Resource Centre, Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), Media plus Shtip.
