On December 12, 2022, in the City of Berovo, Maleshevo Region, CNVP team, implementing the MOVING Project, organized workshop with young people from the municipalities of Berovo and Pehchevo. The opinions of young persons from young people living in mountain rural regions is very important because it is ensuring sustainability of the mountain areas and value chains of these regions. 2022 is the European Year of the Youth. This is why CNVP through MOVING Project is enabling environment for engaging actively young people in MOVING activities, in Maleshevo Region.

The goal of the workshop was defining long term vision of young people for sustainable mountain development from Maleshevo Region. We gathered views from 22 young people, 15 to 18 years old and members of the MAP who previously engaged in vulnerability and resilience assessments. The young participants were coming from the high schools from Berovo and Pehchevo, some of them are active in extracurricular activities especially in environmental projects within Erazmus Programs, UPSHIFT project funded by UNICEF etc.

Taking in consideration high percentage of emigration and youth leaving the region, ageing of population, effects of climate change we discussed what can be improved by 2040, so they see their future in their communities. The SWOT analysis have shown high awareness of effects of climate change and their role in mitigating negative effects. However, they do not see future for their region as there are no employment opportunities, the biking and hiking trails are not well maintained, there are no HUB’s, nor cultural/ entertainment events for socializing. Young people are not heard on a local level by decision -makers. They request to be involved in strategic development processes on municipal level so they can tailor the future of the Maleshevo region and implement their vision - Green community, where nature and technology are in use of modernization of the offer and living standards of young people.

CNVP North Macedonia is implementing the MOVING Horizon 2020 project with a consortium of 23 partner organizations across Europe (research centers and institutes, industry representatives, rural developers, and innovation agents). Activities in North Macedonia are focused on the Maleshevija region, eastern part of the country.

More information about the project can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3HAXLje