About the module

Economic convergence with the European Union remains one of North Macedonia’s central integration challenges. Although the country has made gradual progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline, it continues to face significant structural weaknesses, including low productivity, regional disparities, informality, limited innovation capacity, and insufficient competitiveness. At the same time, high unemployment, particularly among young people and women, together with persistent social inequalities, continues to limit inclusive and sustainable growth. These challenges directly affect citizens’ living standards and shape public perceptions of the benefits and costs of the EU integration process.

The European Commission’s 2024 Enlargement Report and the national Economic Reform Programme identify the need to strengthen the link between policy design and implementation, improve social dialogue, and further align public finance management with the EU’s economic governance framework.

This module will therefore focus on the economic, employment and social dimensions of the EU integration process. It will support civil society organisations, journalists and media professionals, and youth participants to better understand key reform priorities, monitor implementation, and communicate their social and economic implications to citizens in a clear, evidence-based and accessible way. By strengthening participants’ capacities in this area, the module will contribute to improved public understanding of economic reforms, greater transparency and accountability, and more inclusive policymaking in the context of North Macedonia’s EU accession process.

Who can apply

This module is intended for representatives of civil society organisations, journalists and media professionals, and youth interested in economy, employment, social policy, inclusive growth, public finance, social dialogue and EU integration.

What participants will gain

Participants will gain practical knowledge and tools to better understand, monitor and communicate economic, employment and social policy reforms. They will also strengthen their capacity to explain the social implications of EU-related reforms, promote transparency and accountability, and contribute to inclusive public dialogue on North Macedonia’s EU accession process.