CARE International’s history in North Macedonia
CARE began working in the Balkans in the early 1990s during the wars that followed the breakup of former Yugoslavia. The wars forced families to flee their homes, damaged key infrastructure, and brought about deep social divisions. CARE and our partners provided emergency humanitarian aid to help people withstand these devastating impacts of the conflict.
As the region began to recover from the wars, new challenges emerged. These included high youth unemployment, economic crises, migration, and ongoing inequality between women and men, girls and boys. CARE and our partners shifted from emergency response to long-term work focused on gender equality and inclusive development.
Today, CARE Balkans works in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Croatia. We partner with local organizations, public institutions, and communities across the region. These partnerships are essential to drive lasting change based on local needs and leadership.
CARE and partners’ work in North Macedonia today
CARE Balkans focuses on advancing gender equality and expanding economic opportunities for women and girls. We do that work by supporting locally-led change. In other words, we support local organizations, institutions, and communities to have the necessary resources to lead transformations on their own terms and needs.
CARE and our partners work to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, challenge harmful gender norms, and promote women’s leadership and participation in public life.
A cornerstone of this work is the Young Men Initiative (YMI), launched in 2006. YMI works with schools, youth groups, and communities. It engages young men and boys to promote non-violence, gender equality, and positive models of masculinity. By working with men and boys, we address the root causes of discrimination and violence.
CARE also partners with women’s rights organizations, teachers, journalists, and public institutions to improve laws, accountability, and support change at the community level.
Making the Economy Work
CARE and our partners promote economic opportunities for women, young people, Roma communities, and other excluded groups. We support access to decent work, entrepreneurship, and financial stability with the ultimate goal of helping women participate fully in economic and public life.
We work closely with local civil society organizations and regional networks. This helps ensure that change is locally led and sustainable.
Climate
CARE and our partners ensure climate-related impacts are taken into consideration in all our programs. We also remain ready to respond to humanitarian needs, including support for refugees and migrants traveling through the region.
Focus on women and girls in North Macedonia
Women and girls are at the centre of CARE’s work across the region.
CARE prioritizes:
- Prevention and response to violence against women and girls
- Expanding women’s economic opportunities and access to decent work
- Increased participation of women in community and political decision-making
- Support for women facing multiple forms of discrimination, including rural women, Roma women, and young women
By addressing structural barriers and social norms, CARE supports lasting change so women and girls can not only participate — but lead.
