From June to August 2025, KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre implemented a wide range of youth-focused and community-building activities in North Macedonia as part of the EU-funded project Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation in Youth through Sports (PRECYOUS). Through sustained engagement in the municipalities of Kumanovo and Lipkovo, KMOP continued to promote youth resilience, social inclusion, and intercommunity cooperation—demonstrating the transformative potential of sports as a tool for early prevention and positive youth development.
KMOP’s actions highlighted the organisation’s long-standing commitment to designing innovative, evidence-based interventions that foster safer and more cohesive communities.
Strengthening Youth Participation Through Community Hubs
During the summer months, KMOP ensured the dynamic operation of the two Social Action Youth and Sports Hubs (SAYSHs), which are vibrant spaces for youth engagement, dialogue, and inclusive sports activities.
More than 400 young people took part in tournaments, cooperative games, and life-skills workshops organised by KMOP.
These activities promoted teamwork, empathy, leadership, and other protective factors essential for preventing violence and strengthening social bonds.
The Mayor of Kumanovo reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to supporting the Hub’s continued operation, recognising KMOP’s contribution to youth empowerment and local resilience.
Strengthening youth voices on violence prevention
KMOP facilitated a new cycle of youth forums, offering young participants a safe environment to discuss their experiences and identify community needs.
Through these sessions, KMOP supported young people in drafting policy briefs with recommendations for municipal and national authorities on youth inclusion and violence prevention.
These recommendations were presented to local decision-makers, paving the way for concrete follow-up actions. This work directly contributes to strengthening youth participation in policymaking—one of KMOP’s strategic priorities in the region.
Empowering local actors and sports professionals
KMOP completed a round of capacity-building workshops for sports coaches, educators, and civil society representatives.
More than 80 professionals enhanced their skills in:
- early identification of radicalisation risks
- positive communication with youth
- conflict resolution
- designing safe and inclusive sports environments
These trainings reinforced KMOP’s role as a key actor in building local prevention frameworks and fostering effective cooperation among municipalities, CSOs, and educational institutions.
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