Project: Enhancing quality assurance and promotion of the master craftsman exam

ICS in partnership with Chamber of Crafts of Macedonia, Croatia and Slovenia, will collaborate to enhance the quality of the master craftsman exam, as well as on greater promotion of vocational education in order to increase the attractiveness of these programs within the framework of the project: “Master 4.1:Enhancing quality assurance and promotion of the master craftsman exam“.

Within the framework of this project, ICS will develop a program and conduct digital marketing training for the Chamber of Crafts of Macedonia, Croatia and Slovenia.This training will enable them to better promote traditional craftsmanship in the digital space and showcase the rich cultural heritage of these countries. Additionally, ICS will produce a promotional and educational film emphasizing the importance of successfully completing the master craftsman exam.

Duration: 2023 – 2024

Donor: European Commission (Erasmus +)

Project manager: Skopje Chamber of Crafts

Partners: Institute for Communication Studies; Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK), Algebra University College from Croatian, and The Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia.

Project: Inclusive and Creative Media Education (ICME)

ICS started implementing activities within the Inclusive and Creative Media Education (ICME) project, which aims to improve media literacy education in Macedonia, Finland and Italy.

The project is led by the National Audiovisual Institute – KAVI in Finland, and in addition to IKS, the project partner is the University of Florence from Italy.

The project develops educational models for media literacy that can be implemented in formal and informal education and by various stakeholders (civic organizations, schools, faculties, etc.).

Each of the partners will develop a special model for education that will initially be tested in a local contest. The same model will be adapted for implementation in each of the countries of the project partners.

The three models will focus on the following key areas:

• Instructional principles for designing inclusive media literacy initiatives (Finland),
• Educational strategies that foster creativity through critical media literacy (Italy) and,
• Encouraging the civic engagement of young people through media literacy (Macedonia).

The goal is to create a permanent educational resource that can be used by teachers, schools, universities, civil society organizations and initiatives, in formal and informal education, enabling citizens and especially young people to use the media as a powerful tool to encourage critical thinking. thinking, civic engagement and cultural diversity.

ICS is already in the process of testing the model for encouraging civic involvement among young people through media literacy.

Duration: 2023 – 2024

Donor: Creative Europe Program – European Union

Project manager: National Audiovisual Institute – KAVI from Finland

Partners: Institute for Communication Studies; University of Florence from Italy

Project: 28 Euros – The price on Ebay for an European endangered species

ICS won an Investigation grant for environmental journalism in 2022 on the topic of biodiversity and insect trafficking. It is a collaboration with Deutsche Welle during which a short investigative documentary is to be produced, shot on various locations in Macedonia, Germany and other relevant countries. It aims to seek who’s accountable for the loss of rare and endangered European species and it’s airing is due March 2024.

Duration: 2022 – 2024

Donor: Journalism Fund

Partner: Deutsche Welle

Project: Prevention and protection from gender-based violence in North Macedonia

The focus of this project is the promotion of services for protection against gender-based and domestic violence against women, with a special focus on vulnerable categories and communities at greatest risk. At the same time, campaign aims to strengthen the trust in the system, to educate women, and indirect target groups about the legal framework for prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, as well as the rights and obligations arising from it, and to address the dominant obstacles that prevent women to report violence such as shame, fear, and misconceptions. ICS is involved in training of journalists and media professionals on how to report cases of gender-based violence and also in communication and dissemination activities.

Duration: 2022 – 2024

Donor: UNFPA

Project: Integrative Strengthening of Seismic Risk Awareness (ISRA)

The Institute of Communication Studies is a partner of the project Integrative Strengthening of Seismic Risk Awareness (ISRA). The aim of the project is to raise the awareness of institutions, health authorities, schools and the local community in the border region of Macedonia, Albania and Greece about the risk of earthquakes and the secondary risk of soil erosion.

Citizens are the first to deal with the effects of earthquakes and other natural or man-made disasters, until professional help arrives. Hence, it is extremely important to increase the awareness of citizens in better preparation before the occurrence of these disasters, as well as in dealing with them.

The goal of the project will be achieved through research on best practices in raising awareness of earthquake risks, creating informative materials for the general public, a social media campaign, communicating with local authorities and institutions for protection, rescue and crisis management, as well as implementing field trainings.

Duration: 2022 – 2024

Donor: European Union

Project leader: Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS)

Partners: Institute for Communication Studies; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Eucentre Foundation of Pavia, Italy; Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania

Project: Use Facts: Fact-Based Journalism for Raising Awareness and Countering Disinformation in the Media Space in North Macedonia

“Use Facts” is a project that will provide support to citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations to increase public understanding of the origin, motives, and impact of disinformation in society. The project is financed by the British Embassy in Skopje and will last until March 2025.

ICS, through its online media platforms, will investigate, uncover, and deconstruct the intentions, sources, and narratives of disinformation that threaten to undermine public trust in institutions and increase divisions in society. This approach will emphasize the damage caused by disinformation in North Macedonia.

The project will produce analytical and investigative journalistic stories, offer training and educational resources for citizens and journalists, and conduct media campaigns to raise public awareness. In this way, citizens, especially vulnerable groups, will be helped to distinguish credible from malicious content and to be informed by accurate and professional media products, which should reduce the impact of misinformation in society. The project, in partnership with other media, will also advocate for transparency and accountability of authorities to strengthen public trust in institutions and reduce the spread of misinformation. Improved communication with institutions should encourage citizens to pressure the authorities to respond to their needs.

In the production of journalistic stories and media products and the implementation of project activities, the media online platforms of ICS – Samo Prasaj, Doma, Res Publica, and Medium, the media partner SDK.mk, as well as other media, civil and academic organizations, public institutions, experts, activists and other citizens from the state and the region.

Duration: 2022 – 2025

Implementor: ICS

Donor: British Embassy in Skopje

Project: YouThink

The media literacy project “YouThink” focuses on developing the critical thinking skills and critical approach to information in young people that they need to build resistance to misinformation and contribute to building active, responsible citizenship driven by empathy.

The role of ICS in this project is to promote cooperation with higher education institutions in the country and abroad. Every year ICS awards grants to domestic faculties for the inclusion of media literacy in study programs, conducts research in the field, organizes a scientific symposium, and publishes the academic journal KAIROS whose first edition was published in July 2022. In addition, ICS promotes non-formal education for young people through JEDI media literacy training, organizes internships in media, and in cooperation with “Giffoni” – film festival, organizes film literacy workshops for young people.

The project is implemented with the support of USAID by ICS, IREX, the Macedonian Institute for Media, and the Youth Educational Forum.

Implementer: IREX

Partners: ICS, Macedonian institute for media (MIM), Youth educational forum

Duration: 2021 – 2026

Donor: USAID

Project: Urban approach to accelerating nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse (UPSURGE)

ICS is a partner in this project which focuses on testing nature-based solutions in EU cities, with the aim of sharing learning and good practice. The so-called Regenerative Urban Lighthouse will be a European reference network based on knowledge, practices, and testing of natural-based solutions in real life, implemented by several European cities, research institutions and companies. The measures of this network will provide solutions to mitigate the effects of pollution and climate change issues, and will include a combination of digital systems, smart technologies, resources, and sustainable models for cities. The consortium consists of 22 scientific research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and cities in Europe. Some of the cities involved in the project are Belfast (Northern Ireland), Breda (Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Katowice (Poland), Patras (Greece), and Prato (Italy), and the intention is for the project network to expand to other cities in Europe.

Duration: 2020 – 2024

Donor: European Union (Horizon 2020)

Implementing agency: E-Institute – Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions

Project: Reporting Diversity Network 2.0

The project will empower a regional network of CSOs to work together with the aim to influence the quality of media messages affecting perceptions of ethnicity, religion and gender as pressing thematic areas relevant for overall levels of understanding and tolerance in the Western Balkans. In doing so, the Reporting Diversity Network (RDN) will provide tools, resources, and much-needed evidence for the entire civil society to perform influence toward more inclusive media, and effective policymaking in the areas promoting tolerance both nationally and regionally. In addition, debunking negative political discourse, it will indirectly contribute to the promotion of more responsible leadership in the political sphere. In January 2021, partner organizations started monitoring media content that contains hate speech, throughout all participating countries and will react to some of those cases through coordinated activities. In July 2022, ICS published research that contained the results from the hate speech monitoring of media content during 2021. It provides key insights into the main actors, perpetrators, and victims of hate speech in Macedonia.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Albanian Institute for Media (AMI), Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), Kosovo 2.0

Project: Popularizing environmental communication through online learning and virtual mobility

ICS, together with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb, the Department of Biology and Ecology at the University of Novi Sad, the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo, and the Department of Biology at the University of Tirana, started implementing the project “Popularizing Communication for the environment through online learning and virtual mobility”, funded by the EU program ERASMUS+.

Environmental communication is not included in existing educational programs in the Western Balkans and Croatia in a way that combines ecology, communications, journalism, and research. Therefore, the project will introduce an innovative and interdisciplinary approach in creating and implementing a regional online program and opportunities for virtual mobility. The six-month specialization will be intended for representatives from the civil society, researchers, lecturers in educational institutions, employees in public institutions and the business sector, journalists, as well as all those interested who want to be educated and trained as communication professionals in the environment.

The project will include training of trainers and development of a curriculum, creation of online educational materials, a learning game and a guide for environmental communication, as well as the implementation of online courses and a hackathon in which campaigns will be created to solve environmental problems in the region. After completing the professional program, the participants will receive certificates and ECTS credits from the higher education institutions that are partners in the project.

The project will, first of all, strengthen the knowledge and expertise of a hundred participants from the region in the program, which then through their work should be reflected in a change in the attitudes and behavior of other people. It will also increase the understanding of how important environmental communication is in different sectors and aspects of society and open a new field of research and work opportunities in the region.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Albanian Institute for Media (AMI), Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), Kosovo 2.0

Project: ERASMUS + Charter for higher education

ICS was awarded the updated Charter for Higher Education (ERASMUS + Charter) for the period of 2021 – 2027. During this period, ICS will expand the internationalization of its study programs by providing mobility opportunities for its students and teaching and research staff in ICS partner institutions throughout Europe.

Duration: 2021 – 2027

Leader: Institute of Communication Studies

Donor: European Commission (ERASMUS+).

Project: Use Facts: Fact-Based Journalism for Raising Awareness and Countering Disinformation in the Media Space in North Macedonia

“Use Facts” is a project that will provide support to citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations to increase public understanding of the origin, motives, and impact of disinformation in society. The project is financed by the British Embassy in Skopje and will last until March 2025.

ICS, through its online media platforms, will investigate, uncover, and deconstruct the intentions, sources, and narratives of disinformation that threaten to undermine public trust in institutions and increase divisions in society. This approach will emphasize the damage caused by disinformation in North Macedonia.

The project will produce analytical and investigative journalistic stories, offer training and educational resources for citizens and journalists, and conduct media campaigns to raise public awareness. In this way, citizens, especially vulnerable groups, will be helped to distinguish credible from malicious content and to be informed by accurate and professional media products, which should reduce the impact of misinformation in society. The project, in partnership with other media, will also advocate for transparency and accountability of authorities to strengthen public trust in institutions and reduce the spread of misinformation. Improved communication with institutions should encourage citizens to pressure the authorities to respond to their needs.

In the production of journalistic stories and media products and the implementation of project activities, the media online platforms of ICS – Samo Prasaj, Doma, Res Publica, and Medium, the media partner SDK.mk, as well as other media, civil and academic organizations, public institutions, experts, activists and other citizens from the state and the region.

Duration: 2022 – 2025

Implementor: ICS

Donor: British Embassy in Skopje

Project: YouThink

The media literacy project “YouThink” focuses on developing the critical thinking skills and critical approach to information in young people that they need to build resistance to misinformation and contribute to building active, responsible citizenship driven by empathy.

The role of ICS in this project is to promote cooperation with higher education institutions in the country and abroad. Every year ICS awards grants to domestic faculties for the inclusion of media literacy in study programs, conducts research in the field, organizes a scientific symposium, and publishes the academic journal KAIROS whose first edition was published in July 2022. In addition, ICS promotes non-formal education for young people through JEDI media literacy training, organizes internships in media, and in cooperation with “Giffoni” – film festival, organizes film literacy workshops for young people.

The project is implemented with the support of USAID by ICS, IREX, the Macedonian Institute for Media, and the Youth Educational Forum.

Implementer: IREX

Partners: ICS, Macedonian institute for media (MIM), Youth educational forum

Duration: 2021 – 2026

Donor: USAID

Project: Connecting the Dots: Improved Policies Through Citizen Engagement

Connecting the Dots aimed to strengthen the lobbying and advocacy capacities of CSOs, and use this knowledge to implement advocacy campaigns, engage a variety of stakeholders, improve channels of communications between CSOs and government, and promote regional cooperation on common themes. The project will build advocacy knowledge and capability of an alliance of CSOs, media and other actors to demand improved governance. Overall, the project will contribute to effective participatory policymaking and implementation in the interest of citizens through increased scrutiny by civil society. At the end of 2020, ICS within the project launched the advocacy and lobbying campaign “Clear It Up” which in 2021 will focus on the need for sustainable water management and more effective inspections against the misuse of natural resources.

 Outcomes:

1. Capacities of civil society, media and other actors strengthened for demanding good governance (Outputs: advocacy capacity of an alliance of CSOs and other actors built; advocacy campaign based on action research; sustainable online resources on advocacy campaigning and lobbying available for other organizations and initiatives).
2. Channels of communication and cooperation between civil society and decision-makers fostered (Outputs: citizens supportive of and engage for good governance; public interest journalism and environmental journalism reinforced through Just Ask and Doma).
3. Regional cooperation on common themes in the Western Balkans expanded (outputs: increased pluralism of views in the media and public sphere through multi-country themes on Res Publica and Doma).

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: British Embassy Skopje

Project: Urban approach to accelerating nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse (UPSURGE)

ICS is a partner in this project which focuses on testing nature-based solutions in EU cities, with the aim of sharing learning and good practice. The so-called Regenerative Urban Lighthouse will be a European reference network based on knowledge, practices, and testing of natural-based solutions in real life, implemented by several European cities, research institutions and companies. The measures of this network will provide solutions to mitigate the effects of pollution and climate change issues, and will include a combination of digital systems, smart technologies, resources, and sustainable models for cities. The consortium consists of 22 scientific research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and cities in Europe. Some of the cities involved in the project are Belfast (Northern Ireland), Breda (Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Katowice (Poland), Patras (Greece), and Prato (Italy), and the intention is for the project network to expand to other cities in Europe.

Duration: 2020 – 2024

Donor: European Union (Horizon 2020)

Implementing agency: E-Institute – Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions

Project: Shaping Environmental Policy through Local Action (SHAPE)

The aim of the project is to provide civil society, especially CSOs and young people, with a set of skills and knowledge to protect the public interest and the environment in their communities. It envisions partnerships between CSOs and high schools as a mechanism to strengthen local stakeholder collaboration and engage young people in a cleaner and healthier environment. In January 2021, ICS published the research “Local priorities for environmental protection in regions with protected areas (Demir Kapija, Prespa, Strumica Pelagonija, Tikves and Ohrid)” which was conducted in partnership with the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES). In January 2022, ICS organized the final conference that convened more than 130 young people that expressed their opinions and attitudes about the protection of the environment.

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: European Union

Leader: ICS

Partners: Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) 

Project: Reporting Diversity Network 2.0

The project will empower a regional network of CSOs to work together with the aim to influence the quality of media messages affecting perceptions of ethnicity, religion and gender as pressing thematic areas relevant for overall levels of understanding and tolerance in the Western Balkans. In doing so, the Reporting Diversity Network (RDN) will provide tools, resources, and much-needed evidence for the entire civil society to perform influence toward more inclusive media, and effective policymaking in the areas promoting tolerance both nationally and regionally. In addition, debunking negative political discourse, it will indirectly contribute to the promotion of more responsible leadership in the political sphere. In January 2021, partner organizations started monitoring media content that contains hate speech, throughout all participating countries and will react to some of those cases through coordinated activities. In July 2022, ICS published research that contained the results from the hate speech monitoring of media content during 2021. It provides key insights into the main actors, perpetrators, and victims of hate speech in Macedonia.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Albanian Institute for Media (AMI), Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), Kosovo 2.0

Project: Popularizing environmental communication through online learning and virtual mobility

ICS, together with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb, the Department of Biology and Ecology at the University of Novi Sad, the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo, and the Department of Biology at the University of Tirana, started implementing the project “Popularizing Communication for the environment through online learning and virtual mobility”, funded by the EU program ERASMUS+.

Environmental communication is not included in existing educational programs in the Western Balkans and Croatia in a way that combines ecology, communications, journalism, and research. Therefore, the project will introduce an innovative and interdisciplinary approach in creating and implementing a regional online program and opportunities for virtual mobility. The six-month specialization will be intended for representatives from the civil society, researchers, lecturers in educational institutions, employees in public institutions and the business sector, journalists, as well as all those interested who want to be educated and trained as communication professionals in the environment.

The project will include training of trainers and development of a curriculum, creation of online educational materials, a learning game and a guide for environmental communication, as well as the implementation of online courses and a hackathon in which campaigns will be created to solve environmental problems in the region. After completing the professional program, the participants will receive certificates and ECTS credits from the higher education institutions that are partners in the project.

The project will, first of all, strengthen the knowledge and expertise of a hundred participants from the region in the program, which then through their work should be reflected in a change in the attitudes and behavior of other people. It will also increase the understanding of how important environmental communication is in different sectors and aspects of society and open a new field of research and work opportunities in the region.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Albanian Institute for Media (AMI), Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), Kosovo 2.0

Project: ERASMUS + Charter for higher education

ICS was awarded the updated Charter for Higher Education (ERASMUS + Charter) for the period of 2021 – 2027. During this period, ICS will expand the internationalization of its study programs by providing mobility opportunities for its students and teaching and research staff in ICS partner institutions throughout Europe.

Duration: 2021 – 2027

Leader: Institute of Communication Studies

Donor: European Commission (ERASMUS+).

Project: Connecting the Dots: Improved Policies Through Citizen Engagement

Connecting the Dots will a) strengthen lobbying and advocacy capacities of CSOs, and b) use this knowledge to implement advocacy campaigns, engage a variety of stakeholders, improve channels of communications between CSOs and government, and promote regional cooperation on common themes. The project will build advocacy knowledge and capability of an alliance of CSOs, media and other actors to demand improved governance. Overall, the project will contribute to effective participatory policy-making and implementation in the interest of citizens through increased scrutiny by civil society. At the end of 2020, ICS within the project launched the advocacy and lobbying campaign “Clear It Up” which in 2021 will focus on the need for sustainable water management and more effective inspections against the misuse of natural resources.

Expected outcomes:

1. Capacities of civil society, media and other actors strengthened for demanding good governance (Outputs: advocacy capacity of an alliance of CSOs and other actors built; advocacy campaign based on action research; sustainable online resources on advocacy campaigning and lobbing available for other organizations and initiatives).
2. Channels of communication and cooperation between civil society and decision makers fostered (Outputs: citizens supportive of and engage for good governance; public interest journalism and environmental journalism reinforced through Just Askand Doma).
3. Regional cooperation on common themes in the Western Balkans expanded (outputs: increased pluralism of views in the media and public sphere through multi-country themes on Res Publicaand Doma).

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: British Embassy Skopje

Project: Urban approach to accelerating nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse (UPSURGE)

ICS is a partner in this project which focuses on testing nature based solutions in EU cities, with the aim of sharing learning and good practice. The so-called Regenerative Urban Lighthouse will be a European reference network based on knowledge, practices and testing of natural-based solutions in real life, implemented by several European cities, research institutions and companies. The measures of this network will provide solutions to mitigate the effects of pollution and climate change issues, and will include a combination of digital systems, smart technologies, resources and sustainable models for cities. The consortium consists of 22 scientific research institutions, non-governmental organizations and cities in Europe. Some of the cities involved in the project are Belfast (Northern Ireland), Breda (Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Katowice (Poland), Patras (Greece) and Prato (Italy), and the intention is for the project network to expanded to other cities in Europe.

Duration: 2020 – 2024

Donor: European Union (Horizon 2020)

Implementing agency: E-Institute – Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions

Project: Shaping Environmental Policy through Local Action (SHAPE)

The aim of the project is to provide civil society, especially CSOs and young people, with a set of skills and knowledge to protect the public interest and the environment in their communities. It envisions partnerships between CSOs and high schools as a mechanism to strengthen local stakeholder collaboration and engage young people in a cleaner and healthier environment. In January 2021, ICS published the research “Local priorities for environmental protection in regions with protected areas (Demir Kapija, Prespa, Strumica Pelagonija, Tikves and Ohrid)” which was conducted in partnership with the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES).

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: European Union

Leader: ICS

Partners: Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) 

Project: Reporting Diversity Network 2.0

The project will activate the role of civil society in counter measuring the narratives of the divide and replacing them with much needed positive discourse contributing to the value of good neighbouring relations and respect for diversity. In order to do so, the project will empower a regional network of CSOs to work together with the aim to influence the quality of media messages affecting perceptions of ethnicity, religion and gender as pressing thematic areas relevant for overall levels of understanding and tolerance in the Western Balkans. In doing so, the Reporting Diversity Network (RDN) will provide tools, resources and much needed evidence for the entire civil society to perform influence towards more inclusive media, and effective policy-making in the areas promoting tolerance both nationally and regionally. In addition, by debunking negative political discourse, it will indirectly contribute to promotion of more responsible leadership in the political sphere. In January 2021, partner organizations started the monitoring of media content that contain hate speech, throughout all participating countries and will react to some of those cases through coordinated activities.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Profesionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), KosovaLive

Project: International Online Micro Masters Program

The aim of the project is to improve the quality of education by conducting internationalized teaching and learning in a virtual environment and to strengthen individual potentials for effective entry into an interconnected, intercultural market and participation in public life. The project developed and implements two international online micro masters programs, which are realized through a virtual campus formed from the four partner institutions.

Duration: 2018 – 2021

Leader: University of Istanbul.

Partners: ICS, DOBA from Slovenia and Vitaytas Magnus University of Lithuania.

Donor: European Union (ERASMUS + Program)

Project: ERASMUS + Charter for higher education

ICS was awarded the updated Charter for Higher Education (ERASMUS + Charter) for the period of 2021 – 2027. During this period, ICS will expand the internationalization of its study programs by providing mobility opportunities for its students and teaching and research staff in ICS partner institutions throughout Europe.

Duration: 2021 – 2027

Leader: Institute of Communication Studies

Donor: European Commission (ERASMUS+).

ICS Projects

Project: Connecting the Dots: Improved Policies Through Citizen Engagement

Connecting the Dots will a) strengthen lobbying and advocacy capacities of CSOs, and b) use this knowledge to implement advocacy campaigns, engage a variety of stakeholders, improve channels of communications between CSOs and government, and promote regional cooperation on common themes. The project will build advocacy knowledge and capability of an alliance of CSOs, media and other actors to demand improved governance. Overall, the project will contribute to effective participatory policy-making and implementation in the interest of citizens through increased scrutiny by civil society.

Expected outcomes:

1. Capacities of civil society, media and other actors strengthened for demanding good governance (Outputs: advocacy capacity of an alliance of CSOs and other actors built; advocacy campaign based on action research; sustainable online resources on advocacy campaigning and lobbing available for other organizations and initiatives).
2. Channels of communication and cooperation between civil society and decision makers fostered (Outputs: citizens supportive of and engage for good governance; public interest journalism and environmental journalism reinforced through Just Ask and Doma).
3. Regional cooperation on common themes in the Western Balkans expanded (outputs: increased pluralism of views in the media and public sphere through multi-country themes on Res Publica and Doma).

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: British Embassy Skopje

Project: Shaping Environmental Policy through Local Action (SHAPE)

The aim of the project is to provide civil society, especially CSOs and young people, with a set of skills and knowledge to protect the public interest and the environment in their communities. It envisions partnerships between CSOs and high schools as a mechanism to strengthen local stakeholder collaboration and engage young people in a cleaner and healthier environment.

Duration: 2020 – 2022

Donor: European Union

Leader: ICS

Partners: Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) 

Project: Reporting Diversity Network 2.0

The project will activate the role of civil society in counter measuring the narratives of the divide and replacing them with much needed positive discourse contributing to the value of good neighbouring relations and respect for diversity. In order to do so, the project will empower a regional network of CSOs to work together with the aim to influence the quality of media messages affecting perceptions of ethnicity, religion and gender as pressing thematic areas relevant for overall levels of understanding and tolerance in the Western Balkans. In doing so, the Reporting Diversity Network (RDN) will provide tools, resources and much needed evidence for the entire civil society to perform influence towards more inclusive media, and effective policy-making in the areas promoting tolerance both nationally and regionally. In addition, by debunking negative political discourse, it will indirectly contribute to promotion of more responsible leadership in the political sphere.

Duration: 2020-2024

Donor: European Union

Leader: Media Diversity Institute of London

Partners: ICS, South East European Network for Profesionalisation of Media (SEENPM), Center for Investigative Reporting, Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN), KosovaLive

Project: News Literacy and Digital Literacy – Where Fake News Fail

The aim of the project is to improve the effectiveness, responsibility and ethical behavior of citizens and journalists in the digital space. In the framework of the project we have developed a new web platform “Stopdisinformation” http://stopdezinformacii.mk/, we have explored the habits of social network users, and in the week against fake news that took place from November 12 to 18 we organized a series of trainings, debates, online quizzes and video tutorials.

Duration: 2018 – 2020

Donor: European Union

Leader: Macedonian Institute of Media

Partners: ICS, Media Diversity Institute of London, Independent Union of Journalist and Media Workers

Project: International Online Micro Masters Program

The aim of the project is to improve the quality of education by conducting internationalized teaching and learning in a virtual environment and to strengthen individual potentials for effective entry into an interconnected, intercultural market and participation in public life. The project will develop and implement two international online micro masters programs, which will be realized through a virtual campus formed from the four partner institutions.

Duration: 2018 – 2021

Leader: University of Istanbul.

Partners: ICS, DOBA from Slovenia and Vitaytas Magnus University of Lithuania.

Donor: European Union (ERASMUS + Program)

Project: Promoting Good Governance for Increased Transparency and Accountability of Public Institutions

The purpose of the project is to encourage citizens to engage in public debate through the use of media platforms, focusing on issues of public interest. The first component of the project is the academic blog Res Publica, which regularly publishes blogs, blogs and video podcasts. The second component, Just Ask, produces video stories, photo stories, and video responses to questions that citizens post on social networks. DOMA, launched as a Just Ask subscription in 2019, has continued as a separate online platform featuring video documentaries, photo stories, resources on topics related to the environment, biodiversity, sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

Duration: 2018 – 2020

Donor: British Embassy Skopje

ICS Projects

Project: Promoting Good Governance for Increased Transparency and Accountability of Public Institutions

The purpose of the project is to encourage citizens to engage in public debate through the use of media platforms, focusing on issues of public interest. The first component of the project is the academic blog Res Publica, which regularly publishes blogs, blogs and video podcasts. The second component, Just Ask, produces video stories, photo stories, and video responses to questions that citizens post on social networks. DOMA, launched as a Just Ask subscription in 2019, has continued as a separate online platform featuring video documentaries, photo stories, resources on topics related to the environment, biodiversity, sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

Duration: 2018 – 2020

Donor: British Embassy

Project: Strengthening the Government’s Strategic Communications

The goal of the project is to strengthen the strategic communication capacities of the Government of Macedonia. As part of the project, a new Government Communication Strategy was developed and promoted, and a Code of Ethics for Government Officials and a Crisis Communication Guide were developed. In addition, the OASIS and GRID method was adopted by the Government, and a retreat was organized for government communicators in Mavrovo, two workshops on crisis and internal communications in June and July 2019, a workshop on crisis communication and digital media management in Skopje as well as a training of trainers.

Duration: 2017-2020

Donor: British Embassy

Project: Equal power for women

The aim of the project was to enhance the achievement of gender equality. Within the project, entrepreneurial skills were developed for youth and CSOs. The project aimed to raise awareness of the balanced participation of women and men in leading positions in the business and non-governmental sector, as well as to train young people to acquire skills that will be more competitive in the labor market.

Duration: 2017-2019

Partner: Isida Vita, Slovenia

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia Slovenia

The aim of the project is to improve the literacy of news and digital literacy, to improve the effectiveness, responsibility and ethical behavior of citizens and journalists in the digital space. The project will help CSOs deal more effectively with fake news and unethical media reporting, and social media users will gain new resources to gain knowledge on how to become an informed audience that can critically access online news. The project will also foster a debate on journalism for news and digital literacy among journalists, with an emphasis on the economic and social conditions for promoting freedom of expression.

Duration: 2018-2020

Leader: Macedonian Institute of Media

Partners: ICS, Media Diversity Institute in London, Independent Union for Journalists and Media Workers

Project: International Online Micro Masters Program

The aim of the project is to improve the quality of education by conducting internationalized teaching and learning in a virtual environment and to strengthen individual potentials for effective entry into an interconnected, intercultural market and participation in public life. The project will develop and implement two international online micro masters programs, which will be realized through a virtual campus formed from the four partner institutions.

Duration: 2018 – 2021

Leader: University of Istanbul.

Partners: ICS, DOBA from Slovenia and Vitaytas Magnus University of Lithuania.

Donor: European Union (ERASMUS + Program)

ICS Projects

Project: Promoting Good Governance for Increased Transparency and Accountability of Public Institutions

The purpose of the project is to encourage citizens to engage in public debate through the use of media platforms, focusing on issues of public interest. In 2018, we created a new web platform “DOMA” (http://doma.edu.mk/); we have developed interactive educational materials and resources for digital activism as well as educational materials and blogging resources; we conducted two workshops for Albanian bloggers and three workshops for NGOs on communication, advocacy and public policy making; we have concluded 28 cooperation agreements with Western Balkan organizations and media (Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, BiH, Albania); we have published blogs, podcasts, articles on various topics of public interest, and documentaries on environmental protection.

Duration: 2018 – 2020

Donor: British Embassy

Project: Strengthening the Government’s Strategic Communications

The goal of the project is to strengthen the strategic communication capacities of the Government of Macedonia. As part of the project, a new Government Communication Strategy was developed and promoted, and a Code of Ethics for Government Officials and a Crisis Communication Guide were developed. In addition, the OASIS and GRID method was adopted by the Government.

Duration: 2017-2020

Donor: British Embassy

Project: Equal power to women

The aim of the project was to enhance the achievement of gender equality. Within the project, entrepreneurial skills were developed for youth and CSOs. In March 2018, we organized a web conference, “Equal Power for Women – How to Change the Situation”, presenting the best practices and the latest trends in gender equality in the economy. In October we organized a training on “Balanced Business Leadership for Young People”. We have also produced a publication “Guide for Balanced Leadership in Macedonian Organizations” which has specific staffing measures and tools for career development for women and men alike. We also collected 32 signed statements from companies that will approach the process of staff balancing at different levels of organizations, and we have prepared four issues of the e-magazine “Equal Power to Women”.

Duration: 2017-2019

Partner: Izida Vita, Slovenia

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Project: DigitalACT: Communicating for Change

The main goal of the project was to develop the capacity of CSOs and CSOs to effectively communicate with citizens, target groups and the media, enabling them to “sell” their stories to the public, produce greater access to the public and enhance their image as advocates for the public interest. The aim was also to improve the interactive communication and cooperation of CSOs with the citizens and the media using new media.

Duration: 2017 – 2018

Donor: Civika Mobilitas

Project: News Literacy and Digital Literacy – Where Fake News Fail

The aim of the project is to improve the effectiveness, responsibility and ethical behavior of citizens and journalists in the digital space. In the framework of the project we have developed a new web platform “Stopdisinformation” http://stopdezinformacii.mk/, we have explored the habits of social network users, and in the week against fake news that took place from November 12 to 18 we organized a series of trainings, debates, online quizzes and video tutorials.

Project: International Online Micro Masters Program

The aim of the project is to improve the quality of education by conducting internationalized teaching and learning in a virtual environment and to strengthen individual potentials for effective entry into an interconnected, intercultural market and participation in public life. The project will develop and implement two international online micro masters programs, which will be realized through a virtual campus formed from the four partner institutions.

Duration: 2018 – 2021

Leader: University of Istanbul.

Partners: ICS, DOBA from Slovenia and Vitaytas Magnus University of Lithuania.

Donor: European Union (ERASMUS + Program)

Donor: European Union

Projects of SJPR

Project: Media Literacy in the Age of Information Overabundance: Establishing a Media and Information Literacy Coalition – MAMIL

The main goal of the project was to create a coalition of media and civil society organizations that will jointly implement activities aimed at promoting media and information literacy (MIL) in Macedonia. The benefits of the coalition’s work were: empowering citizens to better understand the information they consume on a daily basis and to become more actively involved in the public sphere and the policy-making process; enable the media to properly carry out their ideal role as guardians of society and the public interest.

Duration: 2016 – 2018

Donor: European Union

Project: Virtual Campus for Innovative Management, Leadership and Strategic Communications E-PROFMAN

The aim of the project was to create an online professional development program for innovative management, leadership and strategic communications – e-PROFMAN. Within the one-year program, young professionals and students have perfected the managerial, leadership and communication skills needed in a competitive business environment.

Duration: 2016-2018

Donor: European Union, Erasmus + program

Leader: SJPR

Partners: DOBA Faculty and University of Istanbul

ICS Projects

Project: Voicing the Public Interest: Empowering Media and Citizens to Safeguard Public Policy in Macedonia

The aim of the project is to raise the awareness of citizens and restore the role of NGOs, citizens and the media as guardians of public policy in the country, offering platforms for exchange of information, analysis, debates and options and policy alternatives.

In 2017 we realized several activities: 1. Production and post-production of media products (infographics, presentations, graphics, banners, etc.) prepared by CSOs and finalized by ICS; 2. Develop educational materials and resources for NGOs to help them achieve their goals more effectively by producing audio-visual resources on various topics; 3. Two public policy documents have been created; 4. An interactive tool has been developed on the Just-Ask website designed for citizens to ask questions of public interest, relevant to the work and goals of the participating NGOs, but also for issues that are not covered by the NGO, but which are of public interest and a section on frequently asked questions; 5. Creating and sharing blogs and podcasts within Res Publica as well as downloading Project Syndicate blogs.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: British Embassy

Project: Monitoring Democracy in Macedonia – MODEM

The purpose of the project was to: (1) establish a sound mechanism for detecting and overcoming obstacles to a vibrant and free political debate in the period before and during the election campaign; (2) monitor the level of political pluralism during the election campaign period and (3) raise the critical awareness of citizens about forms of political manipulation with the media and propose steps and measures to improve political pluralism in the media. The MODEM project aimed to monitor media content and, based on observations, to produce analyzes that should prove whether there is corrupt media reporting that would endanger political pluralism in the pre-election and electoral processes.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donors: European Union and British Embassy

Project: Improving Financial Accountability and Transparency in Macedonia

The purpose of the project was to present the results of the quarterly reports on the monitoring of the work of the State Audit Office. 4 (four) infographics were published which were posted on the website of Samoprasaj.mk and shared on social media.

Duration: 2016-2017

Project: Strengthening the Government’s Strategic Communications

The goal of the project is to strengthen the strategic communication capacities of the Government of Macedonia. As part of the project, a new Government Communication Strategy was developed and promoted, and a Code of Ethics for Government Officials and a Crisis Communication Guide were developed. In addition, the OASIS and GRID method was adopted by the Government.

Duration: 2017-2020

Donor: British Embassy

Project: DigitalACT: Communication for Change

In 2017, ICS launched the project DigitACT: Communication for Change, which aims to establish better interactive communication and collaboration of CSOs with citizens, target audiences and the media using new media. Within this project, several activities were implemented: we conducted research and analysis of the communication practices of CSOs and initiatives in Macedonia. Also, 16 representatives of CSOs were invited to participate in trainings and mentoring to strengthen their communication capacities. The selected CSOs and the analysis were promoted at a press conference held on December 15, 2017.

Duration: 2017-2018

Donor: Civika Mobilitas

Project: Equal power for women

In 2017, the Institute for Communication Studies and Izida Vita from Slovenia launched a three-year project “Equal Power to Women”, which aims to promote gender equality. Within this project, a gender equality survey was conducted to find out the reasons for the divergences in the employment of men and women in Macedonia, whether large and medium-sized companies in Macedonia are aware of these facts and, if so, what measures. and take action to correct injustice. We have also compiled a database of medium and large companies for information on research and other activities.

Partner: Izida Vita, Slovenia

Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Projects of SJPR

Media Literacy in an age of Information Overabundance: Establishing a Media and Information Literacy Coalition – MAMIL

The main goal of the project was to create a coalition of media and civil society organizations that will jointly implement activities aimed at promoting media and information literacy (MIL) in Macedonia. The benefits of the coalition’s work were manifold: empowering citizens to better understand the information they consume on a daily basis and to become more actively involved in the public sphere and the policy-making process; enable the media to properly carry out their ideal role as guardians of society and the public interest.

Duration: 2016 – 2018

Partner: Media Diversity Institute in London, UK

Donor: European Union

Project: Citizens in Parliament: legislative initiatives on human rights

The aim of the project was to encourage and support civic legislative initiatives on human rights and to involve citizens and civil society organizations in the process of adopting laws. The project delivered a series of trainings and activities for effective cooperation between the civil society and the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia.

Duration: 2016 – 2018

Donor: Westminster Foundation for Democracy

Project: Virtual Campus for Innovative Management, Leadership and Strategic Communications E-PROFMAN

The aim of the project was to create an online professional development program for innovative management, leadership and strategic communications – e-PROFMAN. Within the one-year program, young professionals and students have perfected the managerial, leadership and cseommunication skills needed in a competitive business environment.

Duration: 2016-2018

Donor: European Union, Erasmus + program

ICS Projects

Project: SCOPES – Public Service Broadcasting

In 2015, the scientific research project “Perspectives and Development of Public Broadcasters: A Comparative Study on the Development of Public Broadcasting Services in the Western Balkans in the Light of EU Integration” was launched. The aim of the project was to explore the position, role, financing and future of public service broadcasters in six countries in the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia. The project was co-ordinated by the Center for Social Research “Analytica” from Sarajevo in co-operation with the University of Freiburg.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: Swiss National Science Foundation

Project: MODEM – Monitoring of Democracy in Macedonia

In the period from November 2015 to December 2016, the Institute of Communication Studies conducted monitoring and analysis of the way in which state-owned televisions in Macedonia reported on different political views and ideas, ie the extent to which different political actors in the country were granted access to their daily information programs. During 2016, the first phase of monitoring was carried out as of April, and the second phase in September and October. During November and December, MODEM focused on monitoring the election campaign announcement for the December 11, 2016 parliamentary elections. A total of 19 weekly reports (up to April 2016) and 11 monthly reports, including election monitoring reports, were published throughout the MODEM project.

Project: Voicing the Public Interest: Empowering Media and Citizens to Safeguard Public Policy in Macedonia

The aim of the project is to restore the role of NGOs, citizens and the media as public policy watchdogs in the country by providing platforms for information exchange, analysis, debate and policy options and alternatives. Within the project several analyzes were published: “Privacy, information, and public interest: the right to privacy versus the public’s right to know”; “Under the Public Eye: The Right to Privacy of Public Persons in Macedonia”; “Public Interest Campaigns in a Macedonian Way: Informing Citizens or Political Propaganda.” With the project we created the platform www.samoprasaj.mk, and created the academic blog www.respublica.edu.mk.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: British Embassy

Projects of SJPR

Project: Building Trust in the Media in South East Europe

The aim of the project was to restore confidence in the media by respecting professional journalistic standards and strengthening self-regulatory mechanisms in journalism, as well as to strengthen freedom of expression and media freedom in South East Europe.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: European Union and UNESCO

Communication Practices in the Context of Social Protests and Requests for Public Accountability

The aim of the project was to investigate the communication practices of media, activists and government officials during protests. In Macedonia, three case studies were analyzed: 1) Student Plenum Protests 2) Kezharovski Liberation Protests and 3) GTC Liberation Protests – I love GTC. Based on this perspective, the project identified the conditions under which participants could have a constructive or destructive role in maintaining public peace.

Duration: 2014 – 2016

Project Leader: Media Center Sarajevo

Project partners: SJPR and Albanian Media Institute

(In)Forming for Prevention, Response and Conflict Resolution – INFOCORE

The purpose of the project was to identify the conditions under which media can play a constructive or destructive role in preventing, managing and resolving violent conflict, as well as in building sustainable peace. It focused on three main regions – the Middle East, the Western Balkans, and the African Great Lakes region. The main purpose was to explore the role of the media in the emergence or prevention, escalation or de-escalation in the management, resolution or reconciliation process of violent conflicts.

Duration: 2014 – 2017

Partner: SJPR

Project: Connecting young people from the former Yugoslavia through radio production

The aim of the project was to connect young people and students from the former Yugoslav republics to learn how to work in radio journalism but also to learn more and report on topics relevant to the European Union and EU accession.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Partners: SJPR / ORANGE FM Radio Vienna / Student FM from Sarajevo

ICS Projects

Project: MODEM – Monitoring of Democracy in Macedonia

In the period from November 2015 to December 2016, the Institute of Communication Studies conducted monitoring and analysis of the way in which state-owned televisions in Macedonia reported on different political views and ideas, ie the extent to which different political actors in the country were granted access to their daily information programs. During 2016, the first phase of monitoring was carried out as of April, and the second phase in September and October. During November and December, MODEM focused on monitoring the election campaign announcement for the December 11, 2016 parliamentary elections. A total of 19 weekly reports (up to April 2016) and 11 monthly reports, including election monitoring reports, were published throughout the MODEM project.

Project: Voicing the Public Interest: Empowering Media and Citizens to Safeguard Public Policy in Macedonia

The aim of the project is to restore the role of NGOs, citizens and the media as public policy watchdogs in the country by providing platforms for information exchange, analysis, debate and policy options and alternatives. Within the project several analyzes were published: “Privacy, information, and public interest: the right to privacy versus the public’s right to know”; “Under the Public Eye: The Right to Privacy of Public Persons in Macedonia”; “Public Interest Campaigns in a Macedonian Way: Informing Citizens or Political Propaganda.” With the project we created the platform www.samoprasaj.mk, and created the academic blog www.respublica.edu.mk.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: British Embassy

Projects of SJPR

Project: (De) construct the media: the message behind the message

The purpose of this project was to encourage media literacy among young people, who will creatively demonstrate their ability to interpret and critically evaluate media content to which they are constantly exposed. More than 40 high school students participated with the videos, photo stories and posters.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Donor: US Embassy

Project: “Communication Practices in the Context of Social Protests and Requests for Public Accountability”

The project aims to investigate communication practices in media, activists and government officials during protests, by identifying the conditions under which participants can have a constructive or destructive role in maintaining public peace. Institutions from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also partners in this project.

Duration: 2014 – 2016

Host: Media Center Sarajevo.

Partners: SJPR, Albanian Institute of Media

Donor: Regional Research Promotion Program

(In) Forming for Prevention, Response and Conflict Resolution – INFOCORE

The purpose of the project was to identify the conditions under which media can play a constructive or destructive role in preventing, managing and resolving violent conflict, as well as in building sustainable peace. It focused on three main regions – the Middle East, the Western Balkans, and the African Great Lakes region. The main purpose was to explore the role of the media in the emergence or prevention, escalation or de-escalation in the management, resolution or reconciliation process of violent conflicts.

Duration: 2014 – 2017

Partner: SJPR

Project: Connecting young people from the former Yugoslavia through radio production

The aim of the project was to connect young people and students from the former Yugoslav republics to learn how to work in radio journalism but also to learn more and report on topics relevant to the European Union and EU accession.

Duration: 2015 – 2016

Partners: SJPR / ORANGE FM Radio Vienna / Student FM from Sarajevo

Donor: European Union, Erasmus + program

Project: Virtual Campus for Innovation Management, Leadership and Strategic Communications E-PROFMAN

The School of Journalism and Public Relations, Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies DOBA from Slovenia and Istanbul University of Turkey in 2015 started the creation of a curriculum for a joint professional development program. The aim of the program is to develop and promote access to online learning and virtual mobility, as well as internationally recognized knowledge and intercultural collaboration, over the next three years at the virtual campus of the three higher education institutions. The one-year programs will enable 60 young professionals and students to develop the leadership, business and communication skills required for management positions in the international business environment, obtain certificates recognized in Macedonia, Turkey and Slovenia, and obtain 60 ECTS credits.

Partners: DOBA University, Slovenia and University of Istanbul, Turkey

Donor: National Agency for European Education Programs and Mobility

Projects of SJPR

Project: Measuring the economic contribution of the audiovisual industry in the Republic of Macedonia

The project aimed to promote the diversity of cultural expression and foster regional and local development, by identifying best practices and practices that will be incorporated into a national strategy that should link cultural and creative industries with other social sectors and the economy.

Duration: 2013 – 2015

Donor: UNESCO

Project: “Medium”

The high school newspaper Medium in 2014 started the fourth season of publishing in the print edition of the newspaper Nova Makedonija, where it is published as a monthly newsletter. Medium has become recognized in high schools as a platform for announcing student activities, projects and successes. The project is a great opportunity for the promotion of high school students and schools, where they can write information about different activities (school, sports, entertainment, technology, competitions, etc.) and essays on topics that concern young people.

Project: Media Observatory of Southeast Europe

The South East Europe Media Observatory project aims to achieve a stronger and more dynamic civil society in the region realized by the South East Europe Media Professionalism Network and the Macedonian Institute of Media (MIM). For the needs of the project, a research focused on several key areas of media and journalism: media policies, journalism and journalism practices, media financing, media ownership structure and the public service.

Project: (De)constructing Media

The “(De)constructing Media” project, which the SJPR began to implement in May 2014, aims to promote media and digital literacy among high school students. A workshop on media and digital literacy was held for 60 high school students from several schools in Skopje, and we organized a summer camp for media and digital literacy. We held a discussion on media literacy, where hundreds of high school students, parents, and professors discussed the impact of television and film on adolescent identity building, social networking security and privacy, the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones and video, the culture that is spreading through music and images online and what it means to be e-activism and e-democracy. A meeting was also held with the Members of Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, and a Media Day was also organized.

Project: “Communication Practices in the Context of Social Protests and Requests for Public Accountability”

The project aims to investigate communication practices in media, activists and government officials during protests, by identifying the conditions under which participants can have a constructive or destructive role in maintaining public peace. Institutions from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also partners in this project.

Duration: 2014 – 2016

Leader: Media Center Sarajevo.

Partners: SJPR, Albanian Media Institute

Donor: Regional Research Promotion Program (RRPP)

Projects of SJPR

Project: Monitoring the media coverage of party, political and interethnic issues during the pre-election period

The SJPR, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the OSCE Mission in 2013, implemented the project “Monitoring the media coverage of party – political and interethnic issues during the pre – election period”. The purpose of the project was to determine how the media report on and about local elections, ie whether they themselves are a source or contribute to fueling party – political and inter – ethnic tensions.

Duration: 2013

Donor: OSCE

Project: “Express yourself through the media”

The School, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, in the period from April to May 2013 implemented the project “Express yourself through the media”, on the topic: “You Can Contribute! Get active and help out in the community. ” The competition was presented in 50 high schools in 32 cities and through several national and local media. Out of a total of 140 products received, 10 applicants were awarded scholarships for study, 3 applicants were awarded a laptop, camera and camera, and 5 applicants received awards.

Duration: 2013

Donor: Ministry of Education and Science

Project: Nature Conservation Program of the Republic of Macedonia

During July and August 2013, the SJPR team prepared a communication strategy for the Nature Conservation Program of the Republic of Macedonia. The Strategy contains recommendations and instruments for effective management of internal and external communication, as well as a campaign to inform the public and raise awareness of the need to preserve the nature of the Republic of Macedonia.

The program was coordinated by a project team consisting of representatives from the Swiss organization Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and local partner from Macedonia – Farmahem from Skopje and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), designed to support nature conservation activities and local development of the Bregalnica region.

Project: “(De) Constructing the Media” – Evens Foundation

The goal of the project is to acquire skills for analysis, decoding and production of media content among high school students in Macedonia. We have organized workshops for high school students and professors working in journalism, writing and digital technologies. The workshops had the opportunity to learn more about the meaning and impact of media and digital literacy on their attitudes and to gain knowledge and skills on how to produce media content. As part of this project, which will last until March 2014, online resources will be created for schools, students, teachers and parents. The resources will contain practical and ethical guidelines and guidelines on various topics and aspects of media and digital literacy. Online resources will be available at www.medium.edu.mk, which is set to become a network of high school websites and their online newspapers.

Duration: 2013-2014

Donor: The project was supported by the Belgian Evans Foundation.

Project: “Medium”

The Medium High School Project in 2013 operated online and the Higher School managed independently through contacts with journalistic sections and individually with students and professors sending news and information about high school students. Medium has become recognized in high schools as a platform for announcing student activities, projects and successes. In the interest of enriching the resources for media content creation, Medium with the support of the Dutch foundation Democratie en Medie has created three tutorials with rules for writing for the web, photography and shooting and editing.

Projects of SJPR

Project: UNICEF “Express yourself through the media”

The project aims to stimulate high school students to publicly express their views on overcoming school violence by developing media products. Through media products, high school students sent messages that tolerance should be increased, violence to resolve conflict situations avoided, and that a positive and secure school environment should be created by all members of the community – students, teachers, parents and institutions. From the total of 167 media products of high school students from all over Macedonia, 14 were selected at the competition. For the selected media products, ten high school graduates received scholarships to study at the High School. Josif Josifovski High School in Gevgelija and three other high school students were awarded a camera, a laptop and a camera.

Partners: UNICEF Office in Skopje, Ministry of Education and Science

Project: “Medium”

The “Medium” is a joint project of the Nova Makedonija daily and SJPR, intended for high school students, where the initial implementation (February 2011-2012) included the publication of a printed, monthly issue of Medium as a cover in the Nova Makedonija daily -Publishing the same and a separate web site as a platform where content will be published by and for high school students.

Projects of SJPR

Project: “Medium”

Given the fact that in the last ten years the interest of young people in the use of traditional print media has been declining, as well as the fact that young people are less inclined to read reading habits, the SJPR has been collaborating with literary sections in high schools for several years to encourage them. high school students’ interest in reading, information and journalistic expression.

This cooperation during 2011 resulted in the initiative to establish a high school newspaper “Medium”, as a joint project of the daily newspaper Nova Makedonija and the SJPR for high school students interested in journalism. The main activities include publishing a printed, monthly issue of Medium as a cover page in the daily newspaper Nova Makedonija, as well as an online edition of Medium (www.medium.edu.mk), a website designed primarily for high school and teenagers who want to write and learn about journalism, the media and media culture.

Project: Media literacy

In cooperation with the Macedonian Institute for Media, the SJPR has for the past three years implemented the Media Literacy Project in primary and secondary schools in order to improve and increase the understanding and critical awareness of children and high school students about media content. Over 1,100 professors were trained to cover the field of media literacy in the delivery of teaching materials in the mother tongue. As part of the project a manual was printed and printed, a web portal was set up and a conference was organized with eminent domestic and international experts in the field. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Bureau for Development of Education.

Project: www.multiviamedia.edu.mk

The SJPR, in collaboration with MIM created the first high school student web site in many languages, for which high school students from all over Macedonia developed multimedia products in their mother tongue on topics in everyday life, cultural heritage, sports, art and entertainment.

Project: Public Relations Association of Macedonia

The school initiated the establishment of the first public relations association in the country to work on raising professional standards, raising awareness of the role of communication and public relations, promoting the profession and fostering cooperation among professionals in the field in Macedonia and the region.

To this end, more than 70 communication and public relations experts have formed the first Association of Public Relations in Macedonia (AJMO). The association should contribute to raise awareness of the importance and role of professional public relations, increase the transparency and accountability of institutions and companies, and improve communication and collaboration with journalists and the media.