From knowledge to action: Advancing gender equality in the Western Balkans

Imagine trying to complete a puzzle without having the picture on the box. That’s what working on gender equality can feel like—especially for practitioners faced with complex systems and competing demands. The pieces may be there—policies, procedures, people—but without a shared understanding of what gender equality looks like in practice, it’s difficult to fit them together. Education helps provide that missing picture: a common language, a clearer goal, and the practical tools needed to move from principle to implementation.

Launching training programme in North Macedonia

To support this, the Institute for Social and Human Sciences–Skopje, in partnership with The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, launched the training programme “Gender Equality Education for Practitioners – From Theory to Policy Implementation” in Skopje, North Macedonia. The programme brought together civil society representatives and public servants from across the region to sharpen their understanding, build alliances, and turn knowledge into action.

One of the strongest shared messages to emerge from the training was the recognition that we are living in an increasingly anti-feminist climate, where rights are at risk every day. Now, more than ever, participants stressed, it is crucial to work at every level to build alliances that can help move this work forward. Across discussions, many emphasised that education must go hand in hand with solidarity—and that only collective action can push back against the growing backlash.

Bridging the gap: Transforming gender equality work

One of the greatest challenges many face when engaging with gender equality is translating theoretical knowledge into tangible action.

“If you care about gender equality but feel stuck between theory and practice, this programme bridges that gap. For those who might hesitate due to uncertainty about the academic content or political complexity: that’s the point. The programme is designed as a collective learning space, not a test. You’ll leave not only with new knowledge, but also with new relationships and a renewed sense of solidarity—knowing that you are part of a broader movement committed to transformation. The sense of connection, of building something together across contexts and differences, is what I’ll carry forward the most,” says Ana Bojcevska Mitrevska from the Macedonian civil society organisation (CSO) Reactor – Research in Action.

Learning through action

When asked what she would say to someone unsure about joining a similar programme, Ivana Cilevska from the Macedonian CSO Tiiiit! Inc. responds:

“Go for it! You don’t have to have all the answers, you just need curiosity and care. This space is empowering, the learning is practical, and the connections you make will truly stay with you. It’s okay to feel unsure at first—that usually means you’re about to grow. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with people who care enough to try. And gender equality work isn’t just about writing policies, it’s about shifting mindsets.”

Guided by experts: Insights from the field

Mjellma Vula from CSO Save the Children Kosovo reflects on the value of seeing just how much high-quality work is being done across the region.

“All the professors from whom we had the opportunity to hear, starting with Prof. Katerina Кolozova, were incredibly inspiring. Her work, background, and the way she shared her knowledge and experiences with us, were especially impactful. That really resonated with me. Moreover, I found it comforting to hear that many of the struggles we face are shared by others. This realization gave me hope, as it shows that we’re not alone in dealing with these challenges, whether in our work or in our countries. These issues are common across the region, which makes me believe that finding common ground may be more achievable since we are all navigating similar struggles,” Mjellma says.

Building alliances

For Mjellma, one of the most important takeaways was the need to build strong alliances in response to a hostile environment.

“We discussed the current moment in which we are living and how we are witnessing an increasingly anti-feminist climate. I feel that our rights are at risk every day. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we work at every stage and level to build alliances that can help us move this work forward, especially at this moment in time,” Mjellma notes.

Her colleague, Marta Tanevska from the Macedonian CSO Stella Network, emphasised the importance of learning from each other’s experiences.

“One of the key takeaways for me from this programme was the connection and networking, as well as what we learned from each other’s experiences. Even though we come from different backgrounds and countries, we face common problems and share common ground that we should work on together. That’s something I truly value about this type of programme,” Marta says.

From awareness to everyday practice

Programmes like this, participants reflected, help build awareness—and that awareness often leads to action.

“Through trainings like this, we become more aware, and that awareness helps us take action. It also increases our level of empathy, especially within the Western Balkan region. We often say we’re very different, but in reality, we’re so similar, we face the same issues,” Теresa Vujošević from the Montenegrin Red Cross says.

Some also spoke of how they planned to bring what they learned in Skopje into their daily work.

“I will apply this knowledge in smaller relationships and in specific cultural activities that my organisation will produce in the future. These are some of the nuances I’ve discovered through this programme, and I will strive to incorporate them into my everyday practice,” Gordana Vukov Ciganjik from the Serbian CSO Klara and Roze points out.

This article was developed within the programme “Gender Equality Education for Practitioners – From Theory to Policy Implementation” implemented by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, together with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, Skopje. The training programme is financially supported by the Swedish Institute, within the “Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) Western Balkans” programme.