Over the last two years, KMOP has been at the forefront of fostering community engagement and positive behavior among youth through sports in North Macedonia. With extensive experience and expertise in youth empowerment and civic participation, KMOP has been in close collaboration with CSOs and the Municipalities of Kumanovo and Lipkovo to transfer its knowledge in preventing and countering violent extremism, in line with the National Counterterrorism Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia (2018-2022).
In this context, KMOP has supported local authorities and organizations to:
- Educate, in January & February 2024, 41 CSOs employees in the Municipalities of Kumanovo and Lipkovo on countering violent extremism through sports. Through 4 capacity-building workshops, participants learned strategies to leverage sports in countering violent extremism among youth, featuring sessions on understanding violent extremism, designing community-based sports programs, and fostering collaboration among CSOs.
- Train, in January and February 2024, 19 local representatives in operating the two Social Action Youth and Sports Hubs. The two Sports and Youth Social Hubs (SAYSHs) offer a broad range of social and sports services, along with customized educational programs to young people.
- Improve, from December 2023 to March 2024, the skills of 26 sports professionals in countering violent extremism in sports, planning and implementing community sports programs, and building resilience among youth at risk of social exclusion.
Harnessing the power of sports is crucial in tackling radicalization among youth, as it offers a constructive outlet for their energy and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. If you are interested in discovering more about our work in tackling radicalization through sports in North Macedonia, click here.
