..::ECMI::NGO::NET::..

Youth Action Plan download
YMI Memorandum of Cooperation download

The initiative for establishing NGO Network "Youth Multicultural Initiatives" (YMI) in the frame of existing ECMI NGO Network for improvement of interethnic relations in Macedonia is a result of need of youth cultural organization, members of the ECMI Network, for common acting and desire for positive changes in the society and the cultural sphere.

Activities since November 2002 until April 2003 enable the establishment of group of 7 youth NGOs that are introducing the core of the Network. The Memorandum of Cooperation created by the members, reflects the needs of NGOs, the goals and expectations for their cooperation, the structure of the network, range of activities and criteria for membership.

This Network is recognized through the strong will of the key members/representatives in the Coordinative body, high amateur profile of the NGOs, alternative and innovative approaches presented in the action plan as well the power that lies in young members of the included NGOs.

Youth Multicultural Initiatives is dedicated to promote common youth initiatives and projects on issues that involve culture, integration of all ethnic groups and cooperation among Intra-Network members. The aim of YMI is to create common ground for effective communication between members and to initiate joint youth projects with Intra-Network members. As its primary value YMI believes in culture as a universal language for communication between people and a system for building sustainable positive common values. Basing the mission on the realities of the country and society we live in, extra attention needs to be paid to common youth projects and initiatives aimed to developing a multicultural society. An area of importance for all NGOs is the creation for means of knowledge transfer and information sharing, coinciding with the need for people-focused development.

To contribute to reviving the multicultural atmosphere and freedom of creative expression for NGOs working in the intersection of youth and culture.

YMI will concentrate on concrete activities in the various media available for artistic expression and as such will support:
- Musical manifestations, theater festivals, art colonies, poetry readings, multimedia events, exhibits, etc
- Seminars, trainings, work camps, tribunes, discussions, roundtables, public debates, conferences and consulting services
- Publishing activities - guides, brochures, anthologies, books, etc.
The network is open to the youth NGO members of ECMI Network as well as to youth NGOs in the Balkan and Southeastern Europe regions, whose strategic direction and goals are in agreement with the goals and activities of the YMI.

Mission
The Centre for Balkan Cooperation "LOJA" is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that works on promoting democracy and civil society in Macedonia, through peaceful cooperation and co-existence by creating new vehicles for communication and new ways of engaging diverse community members.

Our aims
Cultural development and education of the citizens of Macedonia, especially children;
Supporting and stimulating new and contemporary methodology for cultural activity development;
Employing current methods for educational and recreational activities;
Improving interethnic relations in Macedonia;
Developing civil society in Macedonia

Address: House of culture- Tetovo
Phone: + 389 (0) 44 350 570
E-mail: cbcloja@yahoo.com
Contact person: Blerim Jashari

Association for education, culture, ecology and humanity Millennium from Vrapchiste is a non-political, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization, formed in March 1993 by young enthusiasts from Vrapchiste.

Mission
Support and encouragement of youth development in a civil society through different educational activities, promotion of peace, democracy and inter-ethnic dialogue

Aims and programme
The aims of our association cover a number of programmatic areas. We strive to provide enriched educational opportunities, in particular those targeting educational improvement for Turkish women, establishment of dialogue, trust and tolerance among people from different ethnicities; preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of the Turks in Macedonia; encouraging protection of the environment and ecological awareness; protection and promotion of minority and human rights in Macedonia in accordance with the international standards and development of civil society.

Organizationsl Structure
The Assembly is the highest organ of the association, and consists of all members of Millennium. Executive Board is an organ that coordinates, and executes the aims and targets from the annual action plan. The executive board is a body of nine members. The organizational structure includes the following departments: education, culture, ecology, emergency assistance, human and minorities rights, multiethnic tolerance and cooperation, women empowerment and emancipation, citizen education.

Address: Eski Kambi, Vrapciste
Phone: + 389 (0) 42 332 326
E-mail: mngo@mngo.org.mk
Contact person: Bilen Karahasan

"Youth Active", a coalition of members of the ECMI Regional NGO Resource Center Kumanovo was established on the initiative of young people engaged in the Center. Youth Active seeks to contribute to promoting and developing good interethnic relations between young people. The general aim of the coalition is to strengthen the capacities of NGOs members for generating joint projects and youth initiatives as well as other activities with a strong multiethnic dimension.

Mission
To contribute to development of positive interethnic relations among young people by dispelling stereotypes and prejudices.

Aim
To strengthen, develop and promote youth initiatives
To increase knowledge about culture and tradition of various ethnicities
To network on a national level
To provide educational opportunities for young people and raise their quality of life
To develop democratic and civil society

Action Plan
Member of Youth Active will be engaged in implementing projects and initiatives generated and developed by the coalition.
The Youth Active will assist in:
Creating an environment that will enable realization of initiatives with multiple partners
Stimulating cooperation on projects and intercultural initiatives
Discussions for promoting and developing the concept of interethnic tolerance
Building strategy for approaching the donors
Organizing training cycles for "Youth Active" members, on issues related to NGO management such as: project proposal development, project management and other interesting subjects.

Address: Garnizon towel 1 1/1
Phone: + 389 (0) 31 425 456 / 422 525
E-mail: ecmikumanovo@ecmingonet.org.mk
Contact person: Zaklina Stojkovska

The appearance of Prokultura demonstrates a willingness of the young people in Macedonia to show that they are aware that only through organized and coordinated work they will be able to find their rightful place in their society. It is also an effort to present their needs and to contribute their ideas in the process of building a more functional society and a prosperous future.
We believe that young people possess a great deal of openness for new ideas and people and should lead the process of transition to a more open and more democratic society.
To succeed in this process we must establish channels, in particular through youth NGOs for coordinating and organizing the efforts of young people without limiting their most attractive qualities of free, creative and diverse work and thinking.
(from the First Declaration of YCM Prokultura, Skopje 1998)

Mission
Youth culture is what we do, openness and integration of diversity are our principles,
our vision is a democratic and open society for all citizens.

Organizational Structure
The structure of YCM Prokultura consists of three pillars:
- Executive Secretariat
- Programme Commissions
- Local Clubs

The National Board of YCM Prokultura is elected bi-annually by the members of the three pillars of the organization. The main role of the Board is in the decision-making and in outlining the strategic plan for the organization.

Address: Alekso Demnievski 15- 11 A
Phone: + 389 (0) 2 343 161
E- mail: mkd_prokultura@yahoo.com
Contact person: Aleksandar Kirkovski

NGO Multikultura was founded in June 2000 by a group of young activists of different ethnicities from Tetovo who had previously worked in other organizations in Skopje. It has 15 full time volunteers engaged in different projects and a membership base of over 50 who can be called upon as a resource.
The general aim on NGO Multikultura is developing of the civil society in Macedonia, through promoting and developing interethnic tolerance and collaboration between different ethnic groups living in Macedonia. In response to the crisis of 2001 Multikultura conducted research on the issues facing Macedonian society that require immediate attention. According to the results of the research, Multikultura has directed its work towards initiating and developing collaboration between young people from different ethnicities, in order to heal the broken relations and bridge the gap between them. Different activities, mostly in the area of culture have been done to bring young people together. In this way Multikultura contributes to the national process of rebuilding confidence.
Being aware of the socio-economic situation in the region, Multikultura has also been working on issues such as humanitarian aid, social care, infrastructure and different campaigns.
Multikultura has a history of collaboration with different organizations and institutions in the country as well as with international organizations and agencies present in Macedonia.
Multikultura's structure consists of an Assembly, the Head Council which is supervised by the Supervising Council.
Multikultura has successfully implemented 16 projects and 3 projects are currently in the implementation phase.

Address: JNA bb, Tetovo
Phone: + 389 (0) 44 335 448
E- mail: multikultura@mt.net.mk
Contact person: Agron Baftijari

Mission
Education, sensibility and promotion of the theatre in a wider social context and development of an alternative theatre model and expression

Address: Dame Gruev K 3/ 34, Ohrid
Phone: + 389 ( 0) 46 231 570 / 231 572
E- mail: mediaartes@mt.net.mk
Contact person: Goran Stojanoski

Introduction
Youth Cultural Center - Bitola (YCC) is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit youth organization.
YCC was formed in 1997 as the Youth Cultural Association (YCA) - a non-formal group of enthusiasts, comprised of young artists, musicians, actors, intellectuals - people wanting to organize and promote new ideas in the city. The first steps in the development of YCA were realized by organizing various cultural events (poetry evenings, concerts, alternative theatre performances and exhibitions). To mark its growth YCA became an official NGO in September of 1999. Undergoing rapid organizational development processes YCA has quickly become the leading youth NGO in Bitola and the regional, with many innovative projects to its name. In May 2002 it was renamed as the Youth Cultural Centre as a result of an organizational restructuring sponsored by the Kultura Nova Program. YCC leads and coordinates projects and program which bring young people of different backgrounds together in venues that highlight their potential through education, culture, the arts and civic initiatives.

Mission statement
To unite and develop the creative and artistic potentials of young people

Main objectives
Reinforcement, development and promotion of youth initiatives in the field of culture and art
Acceptance and implementation of the cultural management principles
Contribution in the development of young people's cultural life
Development of democracy and civil society

Main activities
Organization of cultural events (concerts, exhibitions, promotions, debates, philosophy and cinema evenings, theater, performances…)
Education of youth (courses, workshops, seminars, training)
Support of citizen's initiatives and campaigns
Networking and partnerships with other cultural institutions and NGOs

Address: Kliment Ohridski 2- 3, Bitola
Phone: + 389 (0) 47 233 020
E- mail: mkcbt@mt.net.mk
Contact person: Meri Nasokova