RYCO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with National Youth Council of Macedonia

SKOPJE– The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 February 2022, making a significant step forward in mutual recognition and cooperation. The MoU was signed by the RYCO Secretary General Mr Albert Hani and the Secretary General of NYCM Ms Mariana Angelova.

NYCM was established on 29 June 2013 as a union of associations where associations and foundations from North Macedonia are registered on a voluntary basis. The NYCM is a representative body for youth organizations in North Macedonia which unites 50 youth and for youth organizations, in order to promote and advocate for the rights of the youth of North Macedonia. Since 2015, NYCM is a member of the European Youth Forum (EYF) and since 2018 is a full time member in EYF.

The RYCO Local Branch Office in North Macedonia and NYCM have been maintaining good relationships and cooperation from the moment RYCO was founded. In addition, NYCM was also involved in the establishment process of RYCO and actively contributed to it.

Furthermore, NYCM is observing the process of the selection of the Youth Representative of North Macedonia in the RYCO Governing Board upon the agreement with the Agency of Youth and Sports of North Macedonia.

With the signed MoU with RYCO, NYCM will strive to ensure even better representation of young people from North Macedonia in RYCO’s structures and activities, thus raising RYCO’s visibility and presence among them.

RYCO and NYCM share the same values and principles concerning youth participation and youth empowerment. Both parties have been promoting and supporting the active participation of youth in decision-making processes as well as strengthening the capacities of young people and other relevant stakeholders. NYCM is also an important actor in the regional youth cooperation and youth mainstreaming in the Western Balkans.

During the signing of the MoU, it was emphasized that youth cooperation and youth mainstreaming will remain the focus of the future partnership between RYCO and NYCM with even more joint efforts invested in fostering youth participation and regional networking of youth structures. In this regard, both General Secretaries wished for fruitful cooperation and many common initiatives for the best interest of the youth in the region.