Leading Change with Meaningful Voice (2026)

The Institute for Leadership and Public Policy (ILPP) is implementing the project “Leading Change with Meaningful Voice”, supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Skopje.

The project aims to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in public life, politics, and local decision-making by enhancing leadership capacities, promoting gender equality, and increasing public awareness of the importance of women’s representation in governance. The initiative is implemented across the Polog Region in cooperation with local municipalities, Equal Opportunities Commissions, civil society organizations, and other local stakeholders.

The primary target group includes women active in local governance, municipal council members, representatives of Equal Opportunities Commissions, women leaders, public administration officials, and women interested in increasing their participation in public life. The project also engages municipalities, universities, media representatives, civil society organizations, community leaders, and citizens throughout the Polog Region.

The overall objective is to create a more inclusive and gender-responsive local governance system by strengthening institutional mechanisms, increasing women’s participation in decision-making, and fostering cooperation between municipalities and civil society.

Planned activities include:

• Public awareness campaigns promoting women’s leadership and participation in decision-making
• Research on public perceptions of women’s participation in politics and leadership in the Polog Region
• Public discussions and debates organized in all municipalities of the Polog Region
• Capacity-building training programmes on leadership, public speaking, advocacy, and meaningful participation
• Strengthening the work and capacities of Municipal Equal Opportunities Commissions
• Establishment of thematic working groups to develop and implement local initiatives promoting gender equality
• Development of policy recommendations and advocacy initiatives to improve women’s representation in local governance
• Cooperation with municipalities, media, and local stakeholders to promote sustainable mechanisms for gender equality and women’s participation

Through these activities, the project seeks to contribute to stronger local institutions, more active participation of women in political and public life, improved functioning of Equal Opportunities Commissions, and long-term cooperation between municipalities and civil society in advancing gender equality and inclusive governance.