Category: News

During May and June 2026, the Europe House Network and the Delegation of the European Union marked Europe Day with a rich programme of cultural, educational, environmental and youth-focused activities across several cities in the country.

The central celebration, “Enjoy Europe in City Park”, took place on 9 May, where visitors enjoyed a wide range of activities – from an eco-business market, flea market, local food and activities organised by EU Member States, to a full-day music programme. The celebrations began in Bitola with a concert by the FAME’S Orchestra and continued with a performance by Funk Shui under the title “Enjoy Europe with Music”.

In Veles, through the “Growing Together” initiative, more than 3,000 seedlings were planted in the area surrounding Lake Mladost, while in Tetovo, the event “Enjoy Europe with a Book” brought together literature enthusiasts through a book fair, author talks and activities for children. In Štip, organised by Europe House Strumica, young people from the region had the opportunity to explore the educational and professional opportunities offered by the European Union, while Struga hosted the cross-border cycling tour “Enjoy Europe on the Move” around Lake Ohrid, connecting North Macedonia and Albania through sport and cooperation.

The Europe Day 2026 programme engaged more than 6,200 participants across the country and was supported by numerous partners, embassies of EU Member States and local communities. The activities also generated significant interest on digital platforms, reaching more than 3.4 million social media views and over 25,000 interactions. The celebrations received extensive media coverage as well, with more than 50 online articles, 11 television reports and 46 radio broadcasts, further increasing the visibility of European values and initiatives throughout the country.

Through music, books, environmental action, youth participation and local initiatives, Europe Day 2026 once again demonstrated that European values are built through togetherness, active engagement and cooperation within local communities.

Преку велосипедизам кој поврза три града и две држави, детска смеа и музика, мали бизниси, креативни работилници, улични изведувачи и акробати, Струга овој викенд беше домаќин на завршната активност од програмата за Денот на Европа 2026. Настанот ја заокружи серијата настани што во текот на мај и почетокот на јуни се одржаа во повеќе градови низ земјата, под мотото „Наша Европа.” и Посилни заедно“, со порака до граѓаните да ја почувствуваат Европа во својот град.

Преку прекугранична велосипедска тура околу Охридското Езеро велосипедисти, институции, партнери и гости ја поминаа рутата Струга, Поградец, Охрид, Струга, носејќи порака за одржлива мобилност, активен животен стил, прекугранична соработка и отворени јавни простори што им припаѓаат на граѓаните.

Настанот беше организиран од Јуроп хаус и Делегацијата на Европската У

нија во Северна Македонија, во соработка со Јуроп хаус и Делегацијата на Европската Унија во Албанија, заедно со Општина Струга, Општина Поградец и Општина Охрид.

Во текот на денот, паралелно со велосипедската тура, Паркот на поезијата во Струга стана едно од најживите места во градот. Во велосипедската тура учествуваа и претставници на амбасадите на земјите членки на Европската Унија, предводени од Бен Нупнау, заменик-шеф на Делегацијата на Европската Унија во Северна Македонија, словенечкиот амбасадор Грегор Прескер и неговиот тим од Амбасадата на Словенија, Матијас Хуменбергер, заменик амбасадор на Австрија, како и претставници од Амбасадата на Словачка и Делегацијата на Европската Унија. За време на активностите во паркот, граѓаните имаа можност да уживаат во базарот на мали бизниси, детската програма, креативните работилници, друштвените игри, музика и ди-џеј сет, улични изведувачи и акробати. Програмата беше создадена како отворена покана за сите генерации, за семејства, деца

, млади, локални креативци и посетители кои сакаа да поминат ден во духот на дружење, радост и европски вредности.

Заменик-шефот на Делегацијата на Европската Унија во Северна Македонија, Бен Нупнау, истакна: „Оваа велосипедска тура го носи духот на Европа: отворена, инклузивна и секогаш во движење напред. Таа нè потсетува дека сме дел од истото патување и дека кога се движиме и педалираме заедно, можеме да постигнеме извонредни работи. Со изборот на две тркала наместо четири, покажуваме дека малите, одржливи избори можат да донесат големи промени за нашето здравје, нашата планета и нашите заедници. Од Струга, преку Поградец и Охрид, па назад до Струга, ова не е само тура околу езеро, туку круг на пријателство, соработка и заедничка посветеност на „Наша Европа“, во која сме „Посилни заедно““

Во реализацијата на програмата во Струга значајна улога имаше Општина Струга, со силна поддршка во создавањето на ова заедничко случување за градот. Во активностите беа вклучени и партнерите Здружение АКВА, “Youth for Struga”, ИНКА, ПХВ на Црвен крст Струга и Дуќан, а за музичката атмосфера се погрижи “Rootboy Selector”.

Градоначалникот на Општина Струга, Менди Ќура, истакна дека Струга е жив пример за европските вредности во секојдневниот живот. „Струга е жив доказ дека овие вредности не се само теорија. Струга е град во кој различните култури, јазици и традиции не нè разделуваат, туку нè прават посилни. Град во кој соживотот е начин на живот, а не само слоган. Стружани ја сакаат Европа, затоа што Европа сме самите ние, во начинот на кој се почитуваме едни со други, во начинот на кој соработуваме и ја градиме иднината за нашите деца“, изјави градоначалникот Ќура.

Како дел од прославата беше отворена и изложбата „Еуро Вело: Најдобрите европски рути за велосипедски патувања“, посветена на европската мрежа на велосипедски рути и промоцијата на одржлива мобилност и активен туризам. Изложените фотографии се дело на фотографот и велосипедист Симон Тред и се преземени од проектот https://www.cyclingthread.com/CyclingThread платформа посветена на велосипедски патувања и рути низ Европа и светот.

Со завршниот настан во Струга, Јуроп хаус ја заокружи програмата за Денот на Европа 2026, која низ мај и почетокот на јуни донесе активности во повеќе градови. Дел од програмата беа и #TeamEurope, или поточно амбасадите на земјите членки на Европската Унија во Северна Македонија.

Во Скопје, Градскиот парк беше претворен во вистински европски простор преку настанот „Уживај ја Европа во градскиот парк“, со еко-бизниси, саем на цвеќе, “slow food”, маалски бувљак, “food corner”, игри на отворено од земјите членки на ЕУ и целодневна музичка програма. Во Велес, преку активноста „Растеме заедно“, волонтери, студенти, граѓани и амбасадори заедно садеа дрвја во опожареното подрачје околу езерото Младост. Во Битола, платото пред Јуроп хаус беше исполнето со музика преку концертот на отворено на Фанк Шуи, како дел од програмата „Уживај ја Европа со музика“.

Европската приказна продолжи и во Тетово, каде што настанот „Уживај ја Европа со книга“ донесе саем на книгата, панел-дискусии, размена на книги, музика во живо и детска програма. Во Штип, младинскиот настан „Откриј ги можностите“ понуди саем за студирање, мобилност и музичка програма, со фокус на младите и нивните идни можности.

Сите овие активности беа дел од заедничката програма на Јуроп хаус, предводена од Делегацијата на Европската Унија во Северна Македонија, со поддршка на #TeamEurope. Преку култура, спорт, екологија, книги, музика, младинско учество и локални иницијативи, Денот на Европа 2026 беше одбележан како месец на отворени настани, локална соработка и заеднички европски вредности.

Од Скопје, Велес, Битола, Тетово, Штип, Охрид, Кочани и Гевгелија, па сè до завршниот настан во Струга, пораката беше иста: Европа не се слави само на еден ден. Таа се гради секојдневно, преку луѓето, градовите, идеите и заедничките активности што нè прават посилни заедно.

More than 3,000 new seedlings were planted in the fire-affected area near Lake “Mladost” in Veles, sending a strong message that Europe Day is also marked through concrete care for nature, the community and the future. The joint action “Our Europe, Growing Together” brought together pupils, students and volunteers, alongside diplomats from the European Union, the Municipality of Veles, civil society organisations, partners and members of the local community.

The action took place yesterday as part of the Europe Day celebrations, with the aim of restoring the damaged forest belt near Lake “Mladost”. Through collective planting efforts, participants made a direct contribution to the restoration of the area and sent a message of solidarity, responsibility and shared care for the environment.

The engagement of young people in this initiative was of particular importance, demonstrating their readiness to actively participate in nature protection and in creating a greener future. The action encouraged cooperation between institutions, youth, civil society organisations and the local community, transforming the celebration of Europe Day into a visible and meaningful activity on the ground.

The initiative was carried out with expert on-site support from the Public Enterprise National Forests, Veles branch, where participants received guidance on proper planting techniques, seedling types and the importance of reforestation for the restoration and protection of the local ecosystem.

The event was opened by Martin Schroeder, Deputy Head of the Political Section at the Delegation of the European Union, in the presence of Vilma Dambruskiene, Ambassador of Lithuania, Slovak Ambassador Iveta Hricova, representatives from the Embassy of Greece and the Mayor of the Municipality of Veles, Marko Kolev.

The action was part of the broader Europe Day programme through which the Delegation of the European Union, the EU Member States and the Europe House network are bringing the spirit of “Our Europe” to several cities across the country.

Through this initiative, Veles sent a message that caring for nature begins with collective action. The planted seedlings are a legacy that will remain for future generations and represent a long-term investment in a cleaner environment, a stronger local community and a greener future.

FROM SKOPJE CITY PARK TO MANY CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE EU CELEBRATES “EUROPE DAY 2026”

On the occasion of May 9, Europe Day, the Delegation of the European Union and Europe House network are organizing a variety of cultural, youth, educational and environmental events in several cities across the country this year.

The celebration begins on May 4 in Bitola with the “Cinema Classics” concert of the FAMES orchestra, at which young musicians will perform film music as part of the “Creative Europe” program, and the program continues on May 7 in Ohrid with a humanitarian race that unites young people around sports and solidarity.

The central celebration of Europe Day will be held in Skopje City Park on May 9, starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. During the day, the park will be transformed into a space with zones for local flavors, green initiatives, sustainable ideas and outdoor games organized by the embassies of the European Union member states, followed by a full-day musical program by “Shkolka”, where Eureka Dance Company, Dina Jashari, Zvada, Conquering Lion, Dafunk and Double G will perform, as well as DJ’s Emily Nas and Martina Peneva.

On May 9 and 10, there will also be activities in Kocani, where under the motto “Color Kocani” a youth initiative will create a mural in a public space. In addition, from May 15 to 17, the city will also host “Open Air Cinema”, a series of film screenings that will bring the art of film closer to the youth of Kocani.

On May 12, the “Growing Together” campaign will be held at Lake Mladost in Veles, during which volunteers, students, citizens and ambassadors will plant 2,500 seedlings in an area affected by fires.

On May 14, Funk Shui will peform an open-air concert in Bitola, transforming the plateau in front of Europe House into a space for music, socializing and a festival atmosphere.

On May 16, a cross-border bicycle tour around Lake Ohrid will be organized, connecting Struga, Ohrid and Pogradec in a symbolic tour that combines nature, youth and cross-border cooperation.

On May 19, Europe House Tetovo will host the “Enjoy Europe with a Book” fair, with the participation of publishing houses, talks with Macedonian and Albanian authors, book exchange, a musical program and content for the youngest.

On May 21, “Discover the Possibilities” will be held in Shtip, a youth event that opens up space for new opportunities, studies, mobility and innovation.

The program will end on May 23 in Gevgelija with “Youth Wave 2026”, a one-day event that will feature a youth skills forum, a local entrepreneurship fair, a startup lab and a creative youth scene.

From music and books, to eco-actions, film and youth initiatives, this year’s program turns Europe Day into a celebration that will be experienced across the country. All events will be open to the public, and more information about the program will be published daily on the social media of the Europe House network.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 01 APRIL 2026

The Delegation of the European Union, Europe House and the Faculty of Philology “Blaže Koneski” –
Skopje are pleased to announce the Competition for the best student translation award and student
residency for literary translation “Babylon – New Generation” 2026.

The call is open to all university students (not older than 27 years of age) who, at the time of
application, are enrolled in at least the third year of studies at any of the faculties in the country.
Candidates should apply for the competition with a translation from one of the 24 official languages
of the European Union, into any of the languages spoken in the country.

More about the call (EN BABYLON – New Generation 2026)

A panel discussion in Skopje brought together representatives of the civil society, academia, the business community and institutions to examine the structural economic disadvantages faced by women in our country and the financial impact of gender inequality on society.

The event, titled “Who Pays the Bill? The Price of Inequality”, was held at Europe House Skopje and marked the launch of the “Bring the Change” campaign and national roadshow. The discussion focused on the economic consequences of gender inequality across the entire life cycle, from education and entry into the labor market to career development, entrepreneurship, family care and retirement.

The event was opened by Ben Nupnau, Acting Ambassador of the EU Delegation, who welcomed the attendees and officially launched the initiative. The panel discussion addressed the fact that gender inequality, while often treated as a social issue, is also a systemic economic imbalance with measurable financial consequences. Participants discussed how inequality affects women’s living incomes, pension security, household stability, business competitiveness and the country’s economic growth.

The panel brought together diverse perspectives and was moderated by Kristina Hadzi-Vasileva, a strategic development consultant. Panelists included Nikica Kusinikova from KSO Konekt, Biljana Petrovska-Mitrevska from NFF and Makedonka Dimitrova, a university professor and entrepreneur.

The discussion addressed the economic cost of gender inequality, the value of unpaid care work and the consequences of the gender pay gap and career breaks. Participants also discussed structural barriers that limit women’s economic advancement, such as work culture, access to childcare and unequal property ownership, as well as the role of legislation and corporate standards in reducing these gaps. The debate concluded with a discussion of possible solutions and the responsibilities of institutions, the business sector and society.

The event also marked the launch of the “Wear the Change” campaign, an annual initiative led by Europe House, the Delegation to the European Union and the embassies of EU member states. The campaign focuses on structural inequality and the burden of unpaid work carried out by women. Although launched in the framework of the celebration of International Women’s Day, the initiative will keep the topic in focus throughout the year through a series of debates, workshops, cultural events and public discussions organized across the Europe House network.

Junior Non-Key Expert Public Space Manager EH Struga

Assignment objective(s)

Based full-time in Struga the role of the Public Space Manager will be multi-fold:

1. S/he will be responsible for the smooth functioning of the EH as public space and running of all daily activities of the respective EH. Tasks range from: ensuring high visibility and interest in EH services from individual and group visitors, assist the organisation of events in EH premises, organisation of other optimal customer service including public queries, dissemination of requests and follow-up on approved sponsorships. S/he will foster relationships with local and regional providers to share resources and information with the goal of cultivating EHs as safe and vibrant communities.

2. Pro-actively initiate and get engaged with the creation, development, organisation and full implementation of visible and popular public events in their respective regions and at respective EHs public spaces.

3. S/he will oversee the daily operations and maintenance of EH as a public area, ensuring they are clean, safe, and well-maintained for the public’s enjoyment. This role encompasses a range of backstopping responsibilities, from managing indoor and outdoor green spaces and infrastructure to addressing safety concerns and fostering community engagement.

4. S/he will provide for basic book-keeping of the EH running costs on monthly basis and contribute towards the financial reporting towards the EUD.

The Public Space Manager will also hold responsibility for the local social media accounts and, while doing so will ensure close coordination with the Social Media Manager, as well as the Creative Manager.

5. Main Tasks/Activities

For this activity, we envisage one JUNIOR expert to ensure smooth financial and administrative management of EU Skopje, planning, organisation and running of all daily activities of the respective EH.

6. Related Outputs

Each Expert is expected to perform and not limited to the following tasks:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of Europe House as a dynamic public space

• Ensure high visibility, visitor engagement, and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere

• Support the organization and delivery of engaging public events and activities

• Build and maintain partnerships with local and regional stakeholders and communities

• Ensure the space is safe, clean, well-maintained, and ready for public use

• Keep basic monthly records of running costs and support financial reporting

• Manage and contribute to the Europe House’s local social media channels, including creation and promotion of content related to local activities and events, in coordination with the network team.

7. Timing and duration of mission/s

The selected experts shall be engaged full-time in the period from March 2026 until 15 January 2031. Experts will be allowed to register actual working hours in the timesheets.

8. Expert’s profile

Qualifications and skills

• A Bachelor degree
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Macedonian (Albanian will be considered as an asset)
• Fully computer literate;

General Professional experience 

• Minimum 2 years’ general experience in business and/or office and/or public space management;

Specific Professional experience 

• Experience in office administration (assistance, archiving, recording) and basic financial management/bookkeeping;
• Experience in social media management ;
• Working experience in EU funded projects and good understanding of the European Union, EU values, and EU-related topics
• Strong organisational, communication, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage a busy public space, engage diverse audiences, oversee daily operations and social media activities (not applicable for PSM Skopje), and work effectively within a networked team environment.
• Dynamic, motivated, highly committed, and reliable, with a willingness to work long-term.

10. Performance indicators

The indicators reflecting the expert’s performance are: good planning and execution of the assignment, timely presentation of results and outputs, quality of documents and monthly reporting to be provided to the Team Leader and the Beneficiary.

11. Evaluation of work

Performance of the expert will be assessed by the Team Leader and Project Manager based on the monthly reporting from the expert.

12. Other arrangements

Liaise with Team Leader and the other experts when needed on all steps related to the accomplishment of the above mentioned tasks, to inform and receive approval on all implementation aspects as per Europe House internal rules and procedures.

In accordance with the standard operating procedure, the expert will accomplish and sign a monthly timesheet for approval and signature by the Team Leader and EUD, reflecting the actual number of workdays rendered, briefly indicating the place where, and the task for which, these were rendered.

Applications, including a CV and Cover Letter, should be sent to aneta.spirkoska@gopa.eu and euwithyou_mk@gopa.eu no later than 10 March 2026 (close of business).

Please indicate the following in the email subject line:
Application_Position_Struga

Only shortlisted candidates who meet the required criteria will be contacted.