Quarterly Brief: Rule of Law in View of EU Accession – July-September 2025
This brief summarises the key developments related to the rule of law in the context of North Macedonia’s EU accession for the period July–September 2025. It includes monitoring the fundamentals of EU accession, including key developments in the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, and Chapter 23: Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.
Aligning North Macedonia’s AI Policy with the EU: Bridging the Regulatory Gap
This analysis aims to explore how the European Union AI Act will influence North Macedonia’s legal and institutional readiness for EU integration, with a focus on the necessary structural, legal, and institutional reforms the country must undertake to harmonise laws with EU standards. Without this alignment, the country risks regulatory fragmentation, decreased trust in AI […]
[Summary of the project] Fostering public participation in constructive political dialogue
The project “Fostering public participation in constructive political dialogue” aims to strengthen informed public debate in North Macedonia by engaging citizens and Members of Parliament (MPs) in inclusive, deliberative dialogues on political polarization. Building on previous deliberative polling initiatives with Stanford University, the project promotes citizen participation in shaping democratic reform.
Forum Europaeum 2025: The Rule of Law and the Growth Agenda as Drivers of EU Accession
At a time of heightened focus on the European Union enlargement and the implementation of the Western Balkans Growth Plan, the European Policy Institute (EPI) – Skopje organized the traditional Forum Europaeum conference on 8 July 2025. The event was opened by EPI’s Director Simonida Kacarska, Ben Nupnau, Deputy Head of Mission at the EU […]
Hate Speech in North Macedonia: Key Information (2023–2025)
Infographic showing the key information and recommendations on hate speech in North Macedonia for the period 2023-2025.
Roli i Akademisë për gjykatës dhe prokurorë publik në forcimin e mbrojtjes së të drejtave të njeriut
Në episodin më të ri të EPI Podcast, flasim me z. Ilir Iseni, zëvendësdrejtor i Akademisë për Gjykatës dhe Prokurorë Publikë, mbi rolin e Akademisë në forcimin e mbrojtjes së të drejtave të njeriut dhe përgatitjen e brezave të rinj të profesionistëve në sistemin e drejtësisë. Me të ftuarin tonë diskutuam për atë se si përgatiten […]
Analytical Report on the Rights of the Child
The rights of the child are a central component of North Macedonia’s international human rights obligations and are increasingly positioned as a benchmark for democratic governance and institutional reform within the country’s EU accession process. As a candidate country, North Macedonia is expected to ensure full compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of […]
The roadmap to advancing children’s rights through the lenses of the EU accession and the UPR processes
Author: Vaska Bojadji, Child Rights expert The commitment to children’s rights is not just a legal formality; it’s a reflection of a nation’s dedication to nurturing, protecting, and empowering its youngest citizens. Various international human rights mechanisms are in place to monitor how well a country upholds these rights and to guide its progress. One […]
Analytical Report on the Rights of LGBTI+ Persons in North Macedonia: 2023–2025
LGBTI+ persons in North Macedonia continue to face widespread discrimination, violence, and social exclusion, with systemic barriers limiting their rights and safety. According to the EU LGBTIQ survey III of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA), in North Macedonia only 21% feel comfortable being open about their identity—well below the European average […]
Training for judges and public prosecutors on the topic of “Anti-discrimination in Focus: The Universal Periodic Review and the Role of Judicial Authorities”
Yesterday, EPI organized the first training for judges and public prosecutors as part of our project “Judicial Action for Human Rights Protection”, on the topic “Anti-discrimination in Focus: The Universal Periodic Review and the Role of Judicial Authorities”. The training took place at the premises of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, and focused […]