From identifying problems in their own communities, through gathering information and strengthening their knowledge, to clearly defined demands and advocacy plans, women from different local and rural communities continue to strengthen their voices and participation in local decision-making processes. Through initiatives supported by grantee organizations, with the support of Akcija Zdruzenska and filia.die frauenstiftung, women in several communities are given the space and tools to speak out about issues that directly affect their everyday lives, while also taking concrete steps towards addressing them. Акција Здруженска и Filia die frauenstiftung, жените во повеќе заедници добиваат простор и алатки да зборуваат за прашањата што директно го засегаат нивниот секојдневен живот, но и да преземаат конкретни чекори за нивно решавање.

Over the past month, in Prilep, women from Kadino Selo and Malo and Golemo Konjari took part in a training process organized by LAG Agro Lider, focused on monitoring and advocating for women’s needs in their communities. The ten participants strengthened their knowledge of the work of local government, gained practical experience in conducting surveys, and improved their communication with other women on issues of common interest. The survey also provided feedback on how informed women are about the work and budget of the local government, how satisfied they are with services in areas under the Municipality’s jurisdiction, and which issues they consider important for their greater involvement in local processes. LAG Agro Lider, жените од Кадино Село и Мало и Големо Коњари поминаа низ процес на инструктажа за следење и застапување на потребите на жените во своите заедници. Десет учеснички ги зајакнаа знаењата за работата на локалната самоуправа, стекнаа практично искуство во анкетирање и ја унапредија комуникацијата со други жени за прашања од заеднички интерес. Преку анкетирањето се обезбедени и повратни информации за тоа, колку жените се информирани за работата и буџетот на локалната самоуправа, колку се задоволни од услугите во областите во надлежност на Општината и кои прашања ги сметаат за важни за нивно поголемо вклучување во локалните процеси.

Во Гостивар, во организација на Иницијативата за граѓански интеграции ИГИIn Gostivar, meanwhile, the Initiative for Civic Integration (IGI) focused on one of the key prerequisites for a dignified and equal life: access to healthcare. At the feminist advocacy training, organized as part of the project “It Is Not a Privilege, It Is a Right: Women from Gostivar for Dignified Healthcare,” ten activists and representatives of local women’s initiatives worked on how to turn a problem into a concrete and measurable demand. By analyzing the causes and consequences of limited access to gynecological care for women from rural areas, the participants mapped out who the decision-makers are, which institutions and organizations can be allies, and how to establish direct communication with them. But instead of ending with newly acquired knowledge, the process continued with a concrete action plan. The participants developed an Advocacy Action Plan, defining demands, decision-makers, timelines, activities, and indicators of success. Among the demands are regular mobile gynecological services in rural local communities, better coverage with family gynecologists and additional appointments for women from rural areas, as well as the establishment of a mechanism for monitoring access to gynecological care. Although the two activities were implemented in different local settings and focused on different needs, they demonstrate the same fundamental change: women are not merely users of services and policies, but are becoming active participants in shaping and improving them.

In Sveti Nikole, meanwhile, the Women’s Organization of the Municipality of Sveti Nikole placed personal empowerment and the development of skills for active participation and advocacy at the center of a two-day training. During the training, participants discussed relationships, personal boundaries, gender stereotypes, and assertiveness, as well as the importance of their own voices within the community. Through an interactive approach, an exchange of experiences, and open discussions, they gained new perspectives and tools for recognizing their own power and using it to initiate change in the communities where they live. Организација на жени на општина Св. Николе, два дена во фокусот беше ставено личното зајакнување и развивањето на вештини за активно учество и застапување. Во текот на дводневната обука, учесничките разговараа за односите, личните граници, родовите стереотипи и асертивноста, но и за значењето на сопствениот глас во заедницата. Преку интерактивен пристап, размена на искуства и отворени разговори, тие добија нови перспективи и алатки за препознавање на сопствената моќ и нејзино користење за иницирање промени во средината во која живеат.