In Kumanovo, North Macedonia, CID – Center for Intercultural Dialogue facilitated two important networking moments in 2024 and 2025, creating spaces for dialogue, cooperation, and partnership-building among civil society organisations, youth workers, institutions, and project partners.
The first networking opportunity took place on 18 December 2024 during the Conference on Youth and Security: Bridging Communities and Strengthening Stability, held at the historic Zanaetchiski Dom. While the conference focused on youth safety and community resilience, it also served as a key networking space connecting civil society organisations, local authorities, educators, psychologists, and youth representatives. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Nami Isaki, Executive Director of CID, and featured keynote contributions from Maksim Dimitrievski, Mayor of Kumanovo, Ambassador Özlem Canel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia, and Umerr Al-Khatib, Head of the Human Dimension Department at the OSCE Mission to Skopje.
A panel discussion on strengthening youth safety in local communities—particularly addressing bullying—was followed by interactive group work where participants collaboratively developed practical solutions. Beyond the formal programme, the conference enabled meaningful exchange and relationship-building between institutions and civil society actors, strengthening cross-sector cooperation around youth well-being and community stability.
The second networking event was organised on 21 November 2025 at the MultiКулти Youth Center, where CID hosted a Local Alliance Members Meeting focused on the No Label project. The meeting brought together representatives of local CSOs and project partners to present the project’s objectives, key activities, and achieved results. Particular emphasis was placed on sharing best practices related to sustainable fashion and conscious consumerism. An open discussion allowed participants to exchange experiences and explore possibilities for future cooperation, followed by a dedicated networking session.
A total of 24 participants took part in the event, resulting in new contacts, concrete ideas for joint initiatives, and strong interest in applying No Label approaches within local organisations. The meeting also reinforced CID’s role as a local hub for sustainable youth work and cross-CSO collaboration.
Together, these two networking moments strengthened CID’s partnerships at local level, supported dialogue between civil society and institutions, and laid the groundwork for continued cooperation. By combining thematic conferences with project-focused alliance meetings, CID successfully fostered sustainable networks that support youth participation, responsible lifestyles, and community development in Kumanovo.