Association for sustainable development SFERA International

SFERA International – Bitola is a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in

Bitola, North Macedonia. Originally established as an informal group in 2007, it

became a registered NGO in July 2009.

The primary mission of SFERA International – Bitola is to educate the population

of North Macedonia through various non-formal teaching methods, primarily

focusing on environmental protection and the preservation of cultural and natural

heritage. The aim of these efforts is to raise awareness across all age groups about

the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the associated benefits.

The association’s key goals and objectives include:

• Protecting the environment, as well as cultural and natural heritage;

• Promoting sustainable development and the use of alternative energy sources;

• Encouraging a healthy lifestyle, including sports and a balanced diet;

• Developing professional and leadership skills among young people;

• Educating youth in crisis management, including responses to floods, earthquakes,

fires, erosion, and other natural disasters;

• Advocating for non-formal education and fostering systems that support young

people at local, national, and international levels;

• Encouraging youth activism, active citizenship, and raising awareness of the

opportunities available to young people;

• Promoting equality, tolerance, democracy, and introducing human rights concepts

to youth;

• Supporting the Europeanization process of North Macedonia;

• Providing free primary legal aid to citizens from vulnerable groups.

Our efforts are focused on advancing these goals, not only at the national level but

also internationally through our partnership and collaboration with Erasmus+ and the

many programs it entails.

Nationally, SFERA is an active member of the National Youth Council of

Macedonia, the Union of Youth Workers, Platform ZEMI ZDIV, and the Center for

Environmental Democracy FLOROZON. Internationally, we are part of the

European NGO World (Latvia), the EPA Network (Germany), the Interalia Youth

Network (Greece), Anna Lindh Foundation and the Informal Network of

Associazione JOINT (Italy).

Since 2023, SFERA has been leading the Municipal Youth Center in Bitola, which

serves over 5,000 young people annually.

SFERA has been actively involved in the youth sector for over 17 years. Throughout

this time, we have worked on a wide range of projects that cover topics such as

environmental protection and recycling, sports and health, arts and creativity, youth

work and counseling, combating youth unemployment, social inclusion,

discrimination and prejudice, leadership and democracy, digitalization, and the

development of digital skills (ITC topics).

We have successfully implemented over 150 projects, both locally and

internationally, focusing on these themes--with the goal of fostering both professional

and personal growth among young people. On the local level, we organize a variety

of activities, including cleaning campaigns, art workshops using recycled materials

in primary and secondary schools, educational workshops, hiking and biking events,

painting sessions (Artattack), movie and music nights, photography workshops, and

exhibitions.

Our activities contribute significantly to raising youth awareness about

environmental protection, ecology, outdoor activities, and sports, as demonstrated by

the success of our last 30 Erasmus+ projects.

SFERA has been a partner in more than 600 Erasmus+ and Youth in Action projects,

and we have sent over 5,500 young people to youth initiatives across Europe.

Additionally, we have hosted approximately 600 EVS/ESC volunteers and sent 91

members or volunteers from North Macedonia to similar programs.

We are also involved in various large-scale projects funded by programs such as the

Europe for Citizens program, Creative Europe, Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic

Partnerships, and IPA Cross-border Cooperation Projects.

The experience we have gained from these diverse youth projects, both at local and

international levels, will be applied in the execution of this project and all related

activities. We also enjoy excellent cooperation with local TV and radio stations,

which will be leveraged to promote the project at all stages of its implementation.