North Macedonia

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WESTERN BALKANS

NORTH MACEDONIA

North Macedonia became a GCERF partner country in 2020. GCERF invested USD 12.6 million supporting 12 civil society organisations to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) efforts for returnees from foreign conflict zones. 

  • locationCreated with Sketch Beta.
  • North-eastern region
  • Polog
  • Skopje
  • South-western region
Background and Context
Country Snapshot
Key Results
Investment Strategy
Story of Change
Background & Context

Understanding Violent
 Extremism in North Macedonia

Almost 100 people returned to North Macedonia from foreign conflicts, particularly from Syria and Iraq. Political instability and inadequate reconciliation caused by previous conflicts have polarised communities along ethnic, religious, and cultural lines. The situation in North Macedonia regarding violent extremism is determined by the country’s history of ethnic conflicts and by the ideologies to which ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians have been exposed since the 2001 conflict. These factors have produced three types of extremist trends: ethno-nationalism, religiously motivated extremism, and violent right-wing extremism.

GCERF’s work in North Macedonia has achieved significant progress in supporting the reintegration and rehabilitation of returnees while strengthening community resilience against violent extremism. Through collaboration with local organisations, GCERF has facilitated essential individual and family counselling, fostering trust and open communication.

Download Country Snapshot
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Inter-ethnic tensions and polarisation

Inter-ethnic tensions and polarisation can drive violent extremism by deepening social divides and weakening trust between communities. This creates grievances and “us versus them” narratives that extremist actors can exploit to justify violence and recruitment.

Political instability and reconciliation Issues

Political instability and unresolved reconciliation issues can contribute to violent extremism by weakening trust in institutions and sustaining historical grievances between communities. This creates fertile ground for polarisation and allows extremist narratives to exploit unresolved tensions and dissatisfaction.

Limited employment opportunities and social exclusion

Limited employment opportunities and social exclusion can drive violent extremism by increasing feelings of frustration, marginalisation, and lack of future prospects, particularly among youth. These conditions can make individuals more vulnerable to extremist narratives that offer identity, purpose, or belonging.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)
$ 0 M
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
Women and children returning from Iraq and Syria received counselling and psychosocial support
0
Teachers and school professionals trained on PVE and R&R
0 +
Frontline workers trained to facilitate effective rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees
0 +
Young people at-risk of radicalisation and community members engaged through initiatives aimed at increasing awareness on preventing violent extremism
0 +

Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025

Our Approach

Investment Strategy
 in North Macedonia

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Support the rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) of people returning from Northeast Syria and Iraq.
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Enhance cooperation among institutions and NGOs to counteract far-right ideologies and ethno-nationalist elements.
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Empower local communities and organisations through strengthening their capacities to take ownership of and sustain R&R and P/CVE programmes.
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants
 in North Macedonia

Current Grants 2 Active
01 Macedonian Center for International Cooperation
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Grant Overview
Amount
USD 400,000
Duration
Oct 2025 – Sep 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC)
Sub-Recipients
Centre for Common Ground (CCG)
Open Gate – La Strada (La Strada)
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen national and local capacities for the sustainable prevention of violent extremism (PVE).
2
The effective rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) of returnees and their families.
3
Promote inclusive coordination and collaboration among public institutions, civil society, and community stakeholders to enhance resilience in at-risk communities.
Areas of Implementation
Skopje Polog The Northeast and the Southwest regions
02 Macedonian Civic Education Center
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Grant Overview
Amount
USD 400,000
Duration
Oct 2025 – Sep 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Macedonian Civic Education Center (MCEC)
Sub-Recipients
Centre for Balkan Cooperation (LOJA)
Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID)
Programme Objectives
1
Increase youth resilience and public awareness by launching tailored social media campaigns that promote civic values and interethnic cohesion.
2
Early identification and engagement of at-risk groups—including youth involved in sports fan clubs, marginalized ethnic communities, and religious associations.
3
The programme strengthens local prevention infrastructure by enhancing the capacity of youth centers, CSOs, and school staff to act as frontline responders, and ensures that prevention efforts are participatory, inclusive, and sustainable.
Areas of Implementation
Skopje (and its region, particularly Centar, Aerodrom and Butel) Tetovo (and the Polog region) Kumanovo (and the north-eastern region) Struga (and the Southwestern region)
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