News and Events

Today, the ZIP Institute marked the conclusion of the MERIT Project: Mapping Employment Risks and Improving Transparency, funded by SELDI and the European Union. The project examined recruitment practices in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in North Macedonia, combining qualitative research and institutional review to assess how hiring functions in both law and practice. The findings highlight…

We successfully concluded a training for the subgrantees of the project Strengthening Vulnerable Communities: Catalyzing Climate Action through Citizens’ Assemblies, which centers on strengthening participatory democracy and inclusive public dialogue. Delivered by expert, Marija Armenski, the 3-day training focused on preparing local organizations to design and facilitate citizens’ assemblies across North Macedonia. Six subgrantees were…

On 21 November, ZIP Institute was invited to the prestigious “Prix de la Participation 2025” ceremony at the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris, organized by Décider Ensemble, where we were honored with a 3-star recognition for our Skopje Climate Assembly. This acknowledgment carries deep significance—not only as an award, but as a powerful validation of…

We’re excited and grateful to share that ZIP Institute was recently featured on the “Across the Map” podcast, where our Peace Corps volunteer spoke about ZIP’s work and her research on youth reclaiming power in the fight against corruption in North Macedonia. In the episode, hosted by Youth Council Prilep, we explored how digital innovations…

ZIP Institute is pleased to announce the successful completion of the call for sub-grants within the project “Empowering Vulnerable Communities: Catalysing Climate Action through Climate Assemblies,” funded by the European Union under the CfP EuropAid/180645/DD/ACT/MK. A total of 16 applications were received from civil society organizations across North Macedonia, demonstrating a strong interest and commitment…

ZIP Institute is proud to present the brand book for SLAMENKA, a project focused on transforming agricultural waste into a practical, sustainable alternative to plastic drinking straws. Slamenka is built on a simple idea: turn what is usually discarded into something useful. Every year, large amounts of agricultural straw are burned or wasted, contributing to…

ZIP Institute is proud to announce that the Skopje Climate Assembly has been awarded three stars in the category Associations/Citizen Collectives at the 2025 Prix de la Participation, organized by Décider Ensemble and the French Government. This prestigious recognition celebrates innovative participatory initiatives that empower citizens and strengthen democracy by giving people a real voice…

From 2–4 September, ZIP Institute participated in the Economic Forum in Poland, one of the largest gatherings in Central and Eastern Europe, which brought together over 6,000 visitors from across the continent. We were honored to be invited as a contributor to the panel “The Future of Social Policy”, alongside distinguished policymakers, experts, and civil…