The Ministry for Inter-Community Relations, in cooperation with the Agency for Community Rights Realization, has initiated the process of drafting the “Strategy for the Development of Interculturalism and Social Cohesion 2027–2032 with an Action Plan,” in accordance with the conclusion of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia adopted at its 129th session.

Within this process, significant support has been provided by the OSCE Mission in Skopje and the Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the OSCE, creating conditions for the quality and timely implementation of the planned activities.

The process of developing the Strategy will take place in two phases. In the first phase, the Ministry for Inter-Community Relations will establish inter-institutional cluster working groups, which will prepare a report on the level of implementation of the current strategy (2024–2026). In parallel, an assessment of the needs and perceptions of the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia regarding interethnic relations will be conducted. For this purpose, questionnaires will be prepared, focus groups organized, and interviews conducted, requiring the engagement of a domestic expert. The activities of the first phase are expected to be completed by the end of September 2026.

In the second phase, the engagement of several domestic experts is planned, who, together with the working groups, will work on drafting the final text of the Strategy. This activity is expected to be completed by the end of December 2026.

With such support and a partnership approach, a comprehensive and inclusive process for creating the strategic document is enabled, which will contribute to the promotion of interculturalism and the strengthening of social cohesion in the country.