About the LBO

The RYCO Local Branch Office (LBO) in North Macedonia is located in Skopje and implements activities across the whole Contracting Party. Its goal is to support youth, civil society organizations (CSOs), high schools, and universities by promoting meaningful youth engagement, participation, and collaboration.

The LBO connects local youth with the wider Western Balkans and works to strengthen local youth initiatives in line with RYCO’s values, strategies, and principles while providing exchange opportunities for young people. Established in 2017, it gained official status as an international governmental entity in 2023, recognized by North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Local impact

40

HIGH SCHOOLS

80

REGIONAL EXCHANGES

135

CSOS

300+

YOUNG PEOPLE

20

YOUNG JOURNALISTS

150

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
  • Open Calls: CSOs and schools in North Macedonia have been supported through grants for projects that promote regional civil society and youth collaboration. The LBO has also partnered on initiatives launched by other RYCO Contracting Parties, facilitating regional exchanges.
  • Superschools: Across three program cycles, 40 high schools were supported and participated in 80 regional exchanges for students and teachers.
  • Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund: 5 CSOs, 5 cultural practitioners, and 2 “Peace Champions” from North Macedonia were supported to implement cultural initiatives.
  • Hajde: 20 young journalists from two faculties received equipment and support, producing 20 youth-focused stories and 10 podcasts on youth participation and regional cooperation.
  • RISE: The program supported 118 individuals and 40 teams in 10 cities during its first two cycles. The second RISE Regional Forum in Skopje brought together more than 150 social entrepreneurs.
  • Regional Summer Camp: More than 100 young people took part in peer-education-focused regional summer camps. The first camp in Mavrovo gathered 55 participants, followed by a second camp in Bijeljina with more than 50 young people.
  • Capacity building and participation: Seven training courses organized with the OSCE Mission in Skopje benefited more than 130 representatives from CSOs and high schools. Youth Talks provide a safe space for discussion on topics such as the Berlin Process and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.
  • Student and sport initiatives: The Regional Student Station expanded opportunities for student representatives across the Western Balkans. The “Scoring Development” regional conference in Skopje gathered more than 70 participants and promoted sport as a tool for youth development, peace, and stability.

Opportunities

No open calls right now. Check back soon!

Latest News And Stories

News Head Office LBO Skopje

From Shkodra to Skopje: Superschools Exchange in Action

Skopje – On April 1st, 2026, a high-level visit was held at the Gymnasium “Josip Broz Tito” as part of the Superschools Exchange Programme, connecting secondary schools from Skopje and Shkoder, Albania. The event brought…

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About RYCO

Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is an independently functioning institutional mechanism, founded by the Western Balkans 6 participants (WB 6): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programs.
Address
Rruga Skënderbej 8/2/2
e-mail
 office@rycowb.org
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 09:00-17:00h