Foundation Open Society Institute–Macedonia

The Foundation Open Society Institute–Macedonia works to foster a society that is more tolerant, democratic, integrated with Europe, and composed of informed and educated citizens. Among its major priorities are increasing civic participation in politics, supporting the rights of Roma and other vulnerable populations, and promoting regional cooperation on issues ranging from human rights to social science education.

To improve education for Roma youth, the foundation administers the Roma Education Program, an initiative developed by OSI and funded by USAID that has helped bring about substantial increases in high school graduation rates and college enrollment among Macedonian Roma. In a broader effort to promote tolerance and social inclusion of all minorities, the foundation has led a public education campaign financed by the European Commission that celebrates Macedonia’s multicultural heritage.

The foundation has also focused on promoting the rights of people with mental disabilities. In collaboration with OSI’s Mental Health Initiative, it has worked with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to initiate a human rights–based approach to mental health care that aims to phase out institutionalization and help integrate people with mental disabilities into society.

The foundation is also engaged in multicountry research and education initiatives, such as an assessment of human rights in Croatia and Macedonia relative to EU norms, and a project to create four new history textbooks that were developed by 60 historians from 11 countries and which use an inclusive, multiethnic approach to pedagogy.