The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) is a civil society organization striving to stimulate and lead social changes in Macedonia and the Balkans, in particular with regard to social cohesion and poverty reduction, inter al. through education; sustainable local and rural development; democratic participation and good governance; civil society; cultural diversity, interdependence and dialogue; and support for Euro-integration process and enhanced regional cooperation. It promotes research, implement practical solutions to immediate problems, and offers political advice to governments and civil society organizations. Among other it has carried out projects stimulating interreligious dialogue (inter al. “Bridging Religions in Macedonia”, which indeed succeeded to build bridges of good will and cooperation among Orthodox, Islamic, Catholic, Jewish and Protestant clergy, students and members of these religious communities in Macedonia, inter al. organizing community training for members of diverse religious communities in collaboration with the Interreligious Council in Macedonia). In this respect it has also set up the MOST Project – International Dialogue for Civic Leadership together with Mediation Northern Ireland (MNI) in 2009.

MCIC’s Department for Civil Society will contribute to the project by facilitating the piloting and testing in the medical school of Skopje as well as by organising project workshops for stakeholders and the final consortium meeting. The department hosts 10 to 15 researchers annually. It is responsible for 70% of MCIC portfolio, including the budget (i.e. it manages a budget of 2 million euro annually). Within the RETOPEA-project, the MCIC researchers will closely collaborate with the researchers of UKIM-UNESCO.

Key personnel

Aleksander Krzalovski, Principal Investigator, First Executive Director MCIC, has been engaged in the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) since 1995. Since 2008 he is Executive Director and from 2011 is First Executive Director of MCIC and is responsible for the programs for cultural diversity and dialogue and for the Balkans. He has participated at trainings organized by MDF, Netherlands as well as at other trainings organized by international consultancies. As a coordinator of several programmes in MCIC he has acquired practical experience in coordination and management of project cycle, and as part of the MCIC management also in production of strategies, business plans and reports. Kržalovski transfers his acquired knowledge and experience as a consultant and trainer to different stakeholders in the society: civil society organizations, churches and religious communities, state institutions, for more than 10 years. From 2000, his knowledge and experience has been upgraded with participation in the assessment of organizations and programmes, as well as in analysis and needs assessment of organisations and institutions. His key qualifications are the following: Needs assessment, organizational and programme evaluation, project and programme cycle management, log frame and financial management.

Emina Nuredinoska, Head of the Department of Civil Society and Democratisation, graduated at the Law Faculty of Skopje in 1997. From April 2010 she holds a master degree on International Law and Policy on the topic Freedom of Association. Through her work on enabling environment for civil society organisations, Ms. Nuredinoska has built up an extensive network of contacts among civil society organizations and with state officials in Macedonia. She speaks/writes fluent English. Ms. Nuredinoska, as a Bachelor of Law and holder of master degree on International Law and International Policy, has knowledge and clear understanding of governmental institutions and administrative procedures. She has recent and relevant experience in the overall management of civil society programmes and projects in Macedonia, including project related to the capacity building of central state institutions. Her work with MCIC demands responsibility for staff management and support, liaison with relevant actors (Government, CSOs, beneficiaries) and preparation of reports and other documentation, to promote an enabling environment for civil society organizations in Macedonia. Her role has particular emphasis on civil dialogue (cooperation of Government with CSOs), good governance as well as legislation, coordination and communication among civil society stakeholders, as well as public promotion of the civil society sector.

Gonce Jakovleska, born in 1969, is employed at MCIC since 1996 and since last year is also an Executive Director. She graduated Politicology in Belgrade (1994) and holds a master in communications. In most of her work at MCIC, she was responsible for public relations of the organizations, including organization of public opinion surveys and research reports for various topics of wider societal interest. Those include: inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations, discrimination, trust in society (including various institutions), Macedonian societal values and other more specific researches, where she is author or co-author. She has also regional (Balkan) experience, especially in Kosovo. Besides researches, she has vast experience in trainings and consultancies.

Relevant publications and/or other products and services

Krzalovski A. (2011), Discrimination in Macedonia on the Grounds of Ethnic Origin, Skopje, MCIC, ISBN: 978-608-4617-10-5

Popovic M., Mihailovska J. (2013), Barometer for Equal Opportunities, Skopje. MCIC, ISBN: 978-608-4681-22-9.

Hadzic-Rahic D. (2009), Address Book of Churches, Religious Communities and Religious Groups in Macedonia, Skopje, MCIC. ISBN 978-9989-102-98-1.

Krzalovski A. (2004), Address Book of the Religious Communities in Macedonia, Skopje, MCIC. URL: http://mcms.org.mk/en/our-work/research-and-publications/669-adresar-na-verskite-zaednici-2004.html.

Relevant previous projects or activities

2009-2011: Macedonia, Model for Dialogue of Cultures. Project funded by EU (EIDHR; Instrument for Stability);

OSCE. The overall goal of the program was accepted cultural diversity, interdependence and dialogue. The project output includes: over 10 consultative meetings with the representatives from the SIOFA; Three workshops for around 70 representatives of the municipality councils in municipalities of Gostivar, Struga and Debar and members of their Local Commissions for community relations; One national conference with over 80 participants; Three trainings on inter cultural dialogue and minority rights for around 70 representatives of the municipality councils and members of the Local Commissions for community relations; Two trainings for 9 members of the Parliamentary Lobby group on learning advocacy and lobbying techniques; Over 5 consultative meetings of the Parliamentary Lobby group; Analysis of Ohrid Framework Agreement implementation - published four (4) publications: Interethnic Relations in Macedonia, Discrimination in Macedonia on the Grounds of Ethnic Origin, OFA – Interviews and OFA-Case Studies; 13 trainings for AOPZ and SIOFA; mentoring and facilitation of processes, establishing participative bodies, conferences for AOPZ; Six quality, facilitated exchanges between Macedonia and Northern Ireland, tailored to the needs of up to 72 identified participants in six distinct sectors, connecting with up to 72 international colleagues.

2010-2011: MOST, Comparing Macedonian and Northern Ireland Post-Conflict Experiences. Project funded by EU/SEUPB. The overall aim of the project was to develop and support key institutional capacity in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland to contribute to a shared society through the facilitated exchange of learning and experiences of mediated practice, good relations, community cohesion and peacebuilding with other multi-ethnic and post-conflict societies in Europe and beyond.

2007-2009: Macedonia without Discrimination. Project funded by EED; EU – EIDHR; EU – PROGRESS; OSCE. The overall goal was to contribute for building a fair society, without discrimination, where all people will enjoy the rights of equal opportunities and the benefits of diversity. The achieved results are: Developed civil society organisations and institutions dealing with the equality issues, improved capacities of institutions and their mutual cooperation; Proposed (and adopted) basic anti-discrimination legislation, based upon the national strategy and international standards and practices; and Improved monitoring of the cases of discrimination and their public presentation.

2006-2008: Inter-religious Cooperation in Macedonia, 2006-2008. Project funded by Norwegian and Danish Church Aid. The overall goal of the program was to increase the level of understanding amongst the religious communities and the understanding of the Macedonian public about them.

2003-2005: Bridging Religions in Macedonia. Project funded by Norwegian and Danish Church Aid. The overall goal of the program is to increase the level of understanding amongst the religious communities and the understanding of the Macedonian public about them.