USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities Activity Quarter 2 FY2024 Performance Report

The program aims to increase positive youth contributions to society and combat youth unemployment in North Macedonia. The activity began on February 1, 2023, and is scheduled to end on January 31, 2028. During the second quarter of FY2024 (January 1 – March 31, 2024), the YACO team continued to build relationships with key stakeholders in the private and public sectors in North Macedonia. The team organized the third meeting of the Youth & Private Sector Advisory Group, which included a team-building activity. The meeting aimed to discuss the Activity's planned initiatives for Year Two. The YACO team also strengthened its collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) and Employment Services Agency (ESA) by establishing a Communications Working Group. The group aims to promote measures from the National Operational Plan 2024. The Activity further enhanced its collaboration with the University of St. Cyril and Methodius (UKIM) by establishing a partnership with the University Student Association. The partnership aimed to attract and engage students in trainings on employment topics. The trainings attracted over 630 students, who received training on building an online portfolio, freelancing, and improving communications, interview, and soft skills for internships and employment. The Activity also organized a hackathon, which gathered 30 students from different faculties. The students developed a Communications Strategy and Branding Guidebook for UKIM's Career Center. The winning idea was adopted by UKIM, and the winning marketing strategy was adopted immediately by the university. The Activity also continued to map the youth organization landscape in North Macedonia using an updated questionnaire. The questionnaire was published and disseminated, and 25 answers were received. The Activity also supported the young research trainees, who worked on finalizing their research papers. The trainees conducted data collection and began writing their papers.