Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, North Macedonia is marked by its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Yet, like many nations in the region, it grapples with significant socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, high unemployment rates and limited access to essential services such as health care and education. Despite these obstacles, several dedicated charities and organizations are making strides to improve the lives of North Macedonians. Through their focused efforts in health care, education and social inclusion, these organizations address immediate needs and lay the groundwork for long-term, equitable development.
MCIC
Established in 1993, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) promotes sustainable development, civil society and democracy in North Macedonia. The organization implements a wide range of programs for poverty reduction, social inclusion and community development. MCIC’s efforts include supporting small-scale agricultural projects, advocating for improved water management and promoting gender equality and social justice.
By working with local communities and international partners, MCIC helps create opportunities for marginalized groups and contributes to the overall development of North Macedonia. Since its inception, MCIC has established more than 1,300 projects as part of 60 programs in several sectors, including health and education and immediate aid. The organization has also enhanced rural communities’ ability to address internal issues, leading to improved access to drinking water for 250 villages across the country.
SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia
SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia is part of the global SOS Children’s Villages network. It provides long-term care, education and family support for children without parental care or those at risk of losing it. The organization has been active in North Macedonia since 1995, focusing on creating a loving home environment for needy children.
The organization offers family-strengthening programs that support vulnerable families in maintaining stability, ensuring children can grow up in a secure environment. SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia also provides educational support and vocational training, empowering young people to become self-reliant adults. The organization currently supports 330 adults and children, with about 160 young people attending its training.
Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia
The Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia has been vital to the country’s humanitarian efforts since its establishment in 1945. The organization provides various services, including disaster relief, health and social care and support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled and refugees. Through its extensive network of volunteers, the Red Cross delivers essential aid during emergencies, conducts blood donation drives and offers first aid training to the public.
The organization also runs various programs promoting health and well-being, such as disease prevention campaigns and mental health support services. In 2022, the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia reached more than 60,000 people with its long-term services and development programs and 1,200 people with its disaster response and early recovery programs.
Project HOPE
Project HOPE has been active in North Macedonia since 1992, focusing on improving health outcomes and building resilient health care systems. The organization works closely with local partners to train health care professionals, enhance medical facilities and ensure access to essential medicines and services. Project HOPE’s efforts include addressing chronic health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and supporting maternal and child health programs.
In 2007, Project HOPE, through its Medical Re-Supply Program (SMRP), delivered $97 million “worth of essential medicines and medical supplies throughout the country.” By strengthening the health care infrastructure and empowering medical staff with the necessary skills and resources, Project HOPE is improving health care quality in North Macedonia.
Shaping a Brighter Future
In the face of significant socioeconomic challenges, these organizations exemplify the resilience and dedication needed to foster positive change in North Macedonia. Through their diverse and impactful programs, they are addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term, equitable growth across the country. These charities empower individuals and communities by focusing on essential areas such as health care, education, social inclusion and humanitarian aid, paving the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future for all North Macedonians.
– Benjamin DeMarais
Benjamin is based in Rogers, MN, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Everybody Water Helps Women Achieve Their Dream
Additionally, a lack of clean water can cause water-related illnesses and promote poor sanitation. These issues prevent children from having the resources and ability to attend school and receive an education. In some countries, such as Malawi, UNICEF reported that on average, women spend 54 minutes collecting water, and men spend six minutes. The journey to collect water can often be dangerous or long, especially in intense heat or cold. On top of cooking, cleaning, and caring for children, collecting water is just another job that takes away from the education of young girls. With access to clean water, typical duties placed on girls are made much more accessible, allowing more time for school and independent endeavors.
Founders Story
Megan Hayes and Kimberly Reilly, two women who desire to contribute something through their passion project, founded Everybody Water. The two women are good friends and neighbors who have become business partners. While the organization started its charity work within the community, the company’s efforts quickly expanded past that. When asked why they started the charity, both women expressed their strong desire to have a social impact past their entrepreneurial goals.
Not only does the organization provide clean water, but it also empowers girls and women to pursue education. Reilly says, “Do not underestimate how big of an impact you can have – think big.” Hayes mentions, “Find a way to have giving back be a part of your work, it feels good when you can help others.”
Helping Women in Honduras
Everybody Water contributes 3% of its annual gross revenue to fund clean water and sanitation infrastructure projects, providing homes with running water, sinks, showers and toilets. Its first initiative was in Honduras, where it implemented a 10-mile pipe to run into the village and supply water to people. One woman says, “I had 14 children, raised them with only a gourd on my head. I have been to the water hole every day since I was born, until today.”
Additionally, Reilly speaks about the community’s contribution to the project. Everybody Water helps plan and build the water sources, providing jobs for the men in the village. Furthermore, they are not only providing a water source but also giving hope to these communities. One villager speaks about how, before the water source, there was no school or kindergarten. Now, she says, everything looks different. It is a new environment.
The organization’s impact inspires many and motivates entrepreneurs, showing that it is possible to achieve goals while also giving back. Reilly and Hayes’s social impact in these countries will make a considerable difference in improving the education opportunities and independence of young girls living in these villages.
– Sofia Hattiangadi
Photo: Flickr
Modi’s New Welfarism Doctrine Is Combating Poverty in India
Despite being controversial in development, New Welfarism has yielded impressive dividends for India’s needy and marginalized. Here are four of the doctrine’s most remarkable achievements.
Food Security in India
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), approximately 21% of India’s 1.4 billion inhabitants live on less than $1.90 daily. Meanwhile, the country is home to a whopping quarter of all undernourished people despite representing only 18% of the global population.
To mitigate this dire food insecurity, the Indian government provides more than half the population—821 million people—with 11-pound (5 kg) bags of free rice or wheat a month. This direct food aid almost quintupled in size during the COVID pandemic, becoming a literal lifeline for millions of Indians as the domestic economy reached a near standstill.
Rural Roads in India
In his second term as Prime Minister (2019-2024), Modi launched a large program titled “PMGSY-III” to construct and upgrade rural roads. While behind schedule to be completed by its slated end date of March 2025, the program’s delays “are nowhere near as egregious as PMGSY-I,” per Newslaundry, an Indian news outlet, in their deep-dive.
Despite the delays, more than 766,000 kilometers of roadway have been completed under the scheme as of August 2024, as have more than 68,000 “upgradation works.” Improving rural infrastructure has been a goal of the Indian government for decades, which is sensible, given that 65% of India’s population lives in rural areas.
Domestic Infrastructure
The Modi government has invested considerable resources to construct homes, electrify rural regions and improve sanitation. One scheme (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or “PMAY” for short) aims to build 20 million affordable homes, with more than 15 million completed. The homes include amenities such as a kitchen, toilet, water supply and electricity. Any Indian without a permanent dwelling is eligible for the program, with priority given to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
The budget for PMAY was increased by 66% in the fiscal year 2023-24 and was again expanded in the FY 2024-25 budget. Rural electrification has been another area of focus for the Modi regime: from 2014 to 2020, the percentage of rural villages with access to electricity increased from 88% to 99.6%.
Aadhar
Aadhar is a voluntary, government-sponsored digital ID that any Indian adult can enroll in. In a testament to the program’s efficacy, 99% of Indians have done so. Aadhar has proven to be a massive development success for India, as it helps the government know who needs support most desperately. Aadhar also enables the state to send direct cash transfers to beneficiaries when linked to a bank account, cutting down on administrative corruption opportunities.
Final Remarks
The Modi government has made praise-worthy progress in the fight against domestic poverty in areas as diverse as food security, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and capacity building. Sadly, this has come at the cost of a decrease in India’s education and health care budgets.
– Kipling Newman
Photo: Flickr
Female Starvation in Gaza
Female Starvation in Gaza
For the sick and injured, for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, there is virtually no medical help left. Not only is there no medical help left, but breastfeeding mothers are using 25% of their body’s energy just by feeding their children, in comparison the brain only uses 20%. Therefore, mothers especially are starving and desperately fighting to also keep their children alive. “The situation is particularly concerning for mothers and adult women, who often prioritize feeding others over themselves and report greater difficulty accessing food compared to men, leading many to skip meals or reduce their intake to ensure their children are fed,” the U.N. reports.
“Seven out of 10 women interviewed by U.N. Women reported weight loss in the last 30 days, and more than half experience frequent dizziness.” This statistic truly represents the female starvation in Gaza. “I prefer to give the children food first. Then as a mother, I might not eat so I can feed my children. That’s just how life is now. That’s motherhood,” a mother displaced to Rafah, southern Gaza said.
WFP and Action Against Hunger
The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that it can only meet 20% of its monthly targets, leaving thousands of families at risk of starvation. This 80% is consistently being shown, especially when one in five pregnant women in a central Gaza clinic struggle with malnourishment. Despite high demands, only a small percentage of people receive help. The WFP is assisting more than 1 million people a month in Gaza due to 96% of the population in the city of Gaza being in a crisis level of hunger or worse.
In Gaza, Action Against Hunger has supported more than 200,000 women and girls through their water, sanitation and hygiene services, alongside food baskets, according to its website. In particular, it has a program to “prevent malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children under 5 years old.”
WEFAQ
Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care, a local women’s organization, is managing to maintain help and support through the hazardous living conditions that are so very prominent in Gaza today. It provides hot meals through the community kitchen to help reduce the rates of hunger within the female population. Winter clothes and accessories are provided alongside blankets and mattresses for comfort and warmth. Hygiene kits, and other essential items like menstrual supplies, milk and nappies for babies. WEFAQ also provides counseling to help aid and rebuild women’s confidence in themselves and their communities.
The female starvation situation in Gaza is very obviously going to be an ongoing issue but through the support of multiple organizations like AAH and WEFAQ, women will finally get the support they truly need.
– Sadie Virgin
Photo: Unsplash
Cocoa Disease in Ghana Threatens Agriculture and Economy
Cocoa Stats and Disease Updates
Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease (CSSVD) was first detected in the east of Ghana in 1936 and has remained a problem while spreading to the west. The disease has affected the Ghanaian region for years and has circulated in countries like Togo and Nigeria. The disease is passed through insects, known as mealybugs, and harms the development of cocoa trees within two to three years of infection, indefinitely killing the development of healthy cocoa.
According to the African Development Bank (AfDB) 2018 annual report, the bank supported private sector projects like helping the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). CSSVD has remained an issue in rural areas, where the cocoa industry employs around 800,000 families, as the board introduced loans and rehabilitation in 2018. Investing around $600 million in Ghana’s Cocoa Board intended to transform the value chain of cocoa.
In 2018/ 2019, the drop in production fell to 811,250 tonnes due to CSSVD. With the help of AfDB, COCOBOD launched Productivity Enhancement Programmes to help fight the disease outburst and control production. In 2023, COCOBOD announced that PEPs would continue to address production drop.
Despite ongoing efforts to defeat cocoa disease in Ghana, it remains a crucial problem for Ghanaian farmers. A 2024 report from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) revealed that around 81% of Ghana’s cocoa-producing area has become affected. The region covers about 410,229 hectares, with 330,456 hectares infected.
Economic Impact
Higher chocolate prices have caused inflation to rise, challenging Ghana’s economy. Not only is this spike harmful, but the rise of illegal mining and smuggling plays a crucial role in a lower economy.
Illegal mining, known as galamsey, has been an ongoing issue in Ghana and continues to affect the cocoa industry. According to COCOBOD, in April 2022, illegal mining had caused significant problems for cocoa farms, as Peter Mac Manu (chairman of COCOBOD) urged action to maintain the problem. COCOBOD and the Minerals Commission discussed the need to collaborate to find solutions. To address this, the Minerals Commission had started a Community Mining Scheme to control mining activities. As of 2023 and 2024, galamsey is still an ongoing issue. COCOBOD is working on new laws to protect rural farmers and their livelihoods.
Cocoa prices have fluctuated in Ghana as product production has caused prices to rise and fall. A 2024 ICCO report showed that the market had tight supplies and shifting prices due to the delay of delivery by Ghana and their poor crop production. Because of the shortage of cocoa, the price rose.
Disease Management
Though CSSVD is not curable, the Ghana government is working to advance agriculture and strengthen the economy. According to the World Bank, in 2023, the Ghanaian Government received $200 million from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). The money has been allocated to support the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project. The goal is to modernize farming and increase the production of crops like cocoa. To ensure the project runs efficiently, the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Tree Crops Development Authority will oversee the work.
In COCOBOD’s recent press announcement from July 2024, the board announced it had secured $100 million from the World Bank to help control cocoa and rehabilitate older farms –using the “cutting-out approach” to remove infected dead trees. The cutting-out approach is a common disease management tactic used over the years to minimize disease spreading to newly planted trees.
Closing Remarks
Due to price fluctuations and ongoing tree death rates, cocoa disease in Ghana remains a constant problem, affecting income rates for farmers. There is, however, hope for better crop production thanks to rehabilitation and ongoing efforts advocating for better farming methods.
– Savannah Garza
Photo: Flickr
Combating Air Pollution in Ulaanbaatar
Pollution from coal-burning disproportionately impacts Mongolians who live in poverty in yurts known as gers on the outskirts of the city. It is estimated that upwards of 80% of pollution in the city comes from the ger district, where residents rely on coal-fired stoves for cooking and heating. In 2018, UNICEF reported that Ulaanbaatar’s PM-2.5 levels, which measure the content of dangerous tiny particles in the air, sometimes reach up to 133 times the World Health Organization (WHO)-certified safe maximum.
Children in Mongolia especially struggle with lung problems, bronchitis and pneumonia, which is the second leading cause of death for Mongolian children under 5. In 2018, UNICEF reported that the past 10 years have seen a 2.7-fold increase in respiratory infections. The outsized impact of air pollution on Ulaanbaatar’s youngest and most vulnerable formed part of the impetus behind the Mongolian government’s 2017 decision to declare air pollution a state of emergency.
Making a Change
Founded in the wake of a 2018 protest movement in New York City, Breathe Mongolia is a loose coalition of advocates and volunteers seeking to end air pollution in Mongolia. The nonprofit’s three-fold approach prioritizes acting as a watchdog, increasing transparency and serving as a platform for collaboration.
While Breathe Mongolia emerged as a grassroots movement, Switch Off Air Pollution is a part of the EU-funded SWITCH-Asia program. Founded in 2007, SWITCH-Asia seeks to promote sustainable development and green technology through a grants scheme that funds relevant pilot projects.
Switch Off Air Pollution seeks to combat air pollution in Mongolia through investing in sustainable consumption and energy efficiency in the housing sector. From 2018 to 2021, Switch Off Air Pollution aimed to retrofit 1,000 houses, saving an estimated 1,600 metric tons of coal and preventing the emission of 6,000 TeqCO2. Upon the project’s completion in 2022, 73 newly trained construction brigades had successfully retrofitted 1,546 households, saving 5,665 CO2 emissions. A new phase of the project is working to further improve energy efficiency.
Although Ulaanbaatar is facing a momentous challenge in the form of its air pollution crisis, these nonprofits are working hard to solve the problem. This innovative combination of grassroots and institutionally funded approaches, channeled through the infrastructure of nonprofit organizations, is bringing hope to the fight against air pollution in Ulaanbaatar and globally.
– Josephine Koch
Photo: Flickr
3 NGOs Working to End FGM/C
ion
In 90 countries across the developing world, cultures continue to practice female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is the “harmful practice involving the full or partial removal or injury to a girl’s external genitals.” Despite cultural traditions, this is a practice that causes serious physical and psychological harm to more than four million girls yearly and more than 230 million girls and women who continue to experience the consequences of such harm. For these reasons, multiple nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working to end FGM/C across the globe.
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation
One such organization is the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF). This foundation believes that FGM/C is a human rights violation and that women across the globe have rights to bodily autonomy and health. In this way, GWPF works to eradicate FGM/C through multiple rehabilitation and prevention projects in West Africa.
On the rehabilitation side, GWPF offers a monthly online support group with a licensed therapist and allocates funds for vaginal restorative surgery for survivors who continue to experience pain years after FGM/C. Prevention-wise, GWPF offers both a scholarship program and a sanitary pad program to keep girls in school, as well as scholarships for boys to educate future generations of fathers and leaders about FGM/C.
GWPF also offers training to educators and law enforcement to recognize and protect at-risk girls, making this organization an important contributor to NGOs working to end FGM/C.
The Orchid Project
The Orchid Project is another one of many NGOs working to end FGM/C. The organization accomplishes this goal through research, knowledge sharing and advocacy. The research of The Orchid Project is a vital tool in increasing data surrounding FGM/C, making information about the practice accessible and helping communities understand what techniques are effective for ending FGM/C.
This research is then applied in Knowledge Sharing Workshops in 12 cities across five African countries, where communities can share experiences and solutions to end this harmful practice. These workshops emphasize a social norms-based approach, as FGM/C continues to be an issue rooted in tradition and culture. The Orchid Project is also an important figure among NGOs working to end FGM/C due to its advocacy work at all levels (from community to global) that focuses on building up resources, policy influence, community support and inclusivity.
Joint Program on the Elimination of FGM
The largest programs designed to end FGM/C are the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Program on the Elimination of FGM. This joint program began in 2008 and services 17 countries where FGM/C is a pressing issue. This program works in many ways, including legal frameworks, government involvement, community engagement, services and advocacy outreach to end the practice of FMG/C.
Some notable accomplishments of these programs include 3,200 arrests or legal actions, the prevention of FGM/C for more than 690,000 girls via community surveillance and the participation of more than 4.1 million people in mobilization/education sessions held by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Program. While this is a brief overview of the anti-FGM/C work by this program, it is clear that their work is extensive and effective.
Concluding Thoughts
While culture is a valuable part of life for every community, there continue to be unacceptable aspects of many cultures. One such aspect is the cultural practice of FGM/C. It is vital to the health and safety of women and girls that NGOs like the ones mentioned above continue to work to end the practice so that future generations of girls can be free from the physical and psychological pain caused by the practice.
– Carlie Duggan
Photo: Pexels
Revolutionizing Learning: AI in Kenyan education
The Competency-Based Curriculum
Recognizing the importance of preparing students for the digital age, the Kenyan government introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2017. This new approach shifts away from traditional high-stakes exams and rote memorization. Instead, it focuses on enhancing learning comprehension and practical skills. The CBC emphasizes digital literacy and coding, incorporating tools like Scratch for programming and data handling. By integrating AI and digital literacy into the national curriculum, Kenya takes significant steps to equip its students with the skills they will need in an increasingly digital world.
Kytabu
Kytabu has developed several AI-powered tools designed specifically for the African educational context. Its most acclaimed product, SOMANASI, is an AI-driven personal tutoring tool that provides personalized curriculum materials, course programs and assessment questions. The application lets students rent affordable textbooks, audiobooks, assessments and courses, all accessible in the AI-supported mobile app. By enabling students to learn at their own pace, SOMANASI makes education more accessible and engaging.
Additionally, HODARI, assists teachers with grading, lesson planning and administrative tasks. The software connects individual student data from assessments to the Kytabu information management system. AI in the product helps teachers understand kids’ individual needs by analyzing performance data and identifying strengths and weaknesses. By automating these time-consuming processes, HODARI allows teachers to focus more on what they do best: teaching and supporting their students.
M-Shule
M-Shule is an edtech platform that uses AI and SMS technology to deliver personalized learning content to Kenyan primary school students, aiming to improve education outcomes in areas with limited internet access. Students interact with an AI bot that prompts them with lessons and questions they answer by text. The system analyzes the data in real-time, allowing program teams and supporting organizations to track student performance and provide targeted support where needed. M-Shule has reached more than 45,000 users, including 13,000 households from 30 Kenyan counties.
Mosabi: Financial Education for the Masses
Recognizing that education extends beyond traditional subjects, Mosabi leverages AI to provide tailored financial and business education to underserved communities in emerging markets. Lessons cover areas like financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business management. Its mobile platform uses AI-driven analytics to track user progress. Furthermore, personalized learning experiences, help small business owners and entrepreneurs improve their financial health.
Endless OS Foundation
The Endless OS Foundation provides a Linux-based operating system with preloaded educational content, productivity tools and entertainment designed for communities without internet access. Its AI capabilities curate content based on student interests, fostering curiosity-driven learning and greater engagement. Since its creation, the initiative has established 600 computer labs. This growth has significantly expanded access to digital education and resources for students across Kenya and other countries where it operates.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While the integration of AI in Kenyan education shows great promise, challenges remain. A recent study across 38 out of 47 Kenyan counties found that while teachers generally have a positive attitude toward AI, many lack confidence in implementing these platforms in their classrooms. To address this, experts recommend revising teacher training curricula to include AI components. Furthermore, they suggest designing professional development programs to build teachers’ confidence in AI.
As Kenya continues to embrace AI in education, the potential for transformative change is immense. From personalized learning experiences to more efficient school management, AI helps create a more inclusive, engaging and effective education system for all levels.
Michael Murungi, Government Affairs and Public Policy Lead for Eastern Africa at Google states, “One of the biggest opportunities AI has in education is the ability to personalize learning and for the teacher to curate the learning experience for the child based on the child’s needs.”
– Lauren Thompson
Photo: Flickr
Food Security in the CAR
The Background and State of the CAR
In March 2013, an alliance of rebel groups known as “Seleka” usurped power in a lawless fashion of violence, destruction and brutality. The coup had a massive impact on the CAR economy, with one primary example being its exports. The country heavily depends on diamonds and wood exports for economic growth, but due to the continuous conflict, diamond and wood production drastically declined. Many business opportunities for the nation ceased to expand as the continued presence of rebel groups and conflict led to the mass exodus of investors and foreign entrepreneurs.
The country was left in a general state of economic decline, political instability and a humanitarian crisis, with the issue of hunger being a prime example. Food security in the CAR is at a critical level, with estimates indicating that approximately 2.4 million people suffer from food insecurity and nearly half of the population cannot meet their minimum daily food needs. The ongoing violence in the country has exacerbated malnutrition rates, particularly among displaced individuals. This food insecurity leads to daily hunger and raises serious health concerns. Malnourished citizens are experiencing higher rates of diseases such as measles, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea.
Initiatives and Progress
In response to the urgent needs of the CAR’s population, several initiatives have emerged to assist, with the Agriculture Recovery and Agribusiness Development Support Project (ARADSP) being a notable example. ARADSP focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity among small-scale farmers throughout the region, thereby bolstering the capacity of small and medium-sized farming businesses and enterprises. As a result, this boost in agricultural productivity delivers immediate and effective responses to food emergencies nationwide. Hundreds of thousands benefit from these initiatives, including more than 100,000 women and more than 15,000 young people.
Another crucial initiative is the IDA-financed Emergency Food Security Response Project (PRUCAC). This project aims to boost food production and enhance the food security of targeted smallholder farmers and vulnerable households in affected areas. More than 300,000 smallholder farmers have received seeds, tools and training in agricultural and post-harvesting techniques to improve crop production and better prepare for climate and conflict-related risks. As of October 2023, local food production has surged by 250%, increasing from 28,000 tons to 73,000 tons within a year.
The Future of the Central African Republic
Addressing the hunger needs of all citizens of the CAR will be a long-term challenge, given the severe impacts of prolonged conflict in the past decades. From the displacement of families to ongoing political instability affecting various parts of the nation, the Central African population remains in search of a more stable and abundant society.
However, with growing initiatives from both governmental and global levels, the future of the Central African population holds promise. Efforts by projects such as ARADSP and PRUCAC, which fund systems to support the country’s economic and food security needs, suggest that significant progress is within reach. These initiatives provide a foundation for substantial improvement and hope for a prosperous future that includes food security in the CAR.
– Oliver Martin
Photo: Flickr
MCIC Leading the Way in North Macedonia
MCIC
Established in 1993, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) promotes sustainable development, civil society and democracy in North Macedonia. The organization implements a wide range of programs for poverty reduction, social inclusion and community development. MCIC’s efforts include supporting small-scale agricultural projects, advocating for improved water management and promoting gender equality and social justice.
By working with local communities and international partners, MCIC helps create opportunities for marginalized groups and contributes to the overall development of North Macedonia. Since its inception, MCIC has established more than 1,300 projects as part of 60 programs in several sectors, including health and education and immediate aid. The organization has also enhanced rural communities’ ability to address internal issues, leading to improved access to drinking water for 250 villages across the country.
SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia
SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia is part of the global SOS Children’s Villages network. It provides long-term care, education and family support for children without parental care or those at risk of losing it. The organization has been active in North Macedonia since 1995, focusing on creating a loving home environment for needy children.
The organization offers family-strengthening programs that support vulnerable families in maintaining stability, ensuring children can grow up in a secure environment. SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia also provides educational support and vocational training, empowering young people to become self-reliant adults. The organization currently supports 330 adults and children, with about 160 young people attending its training.
Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia
The Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia has been vital to the country’s humanitarian efforts since its establishment in 1945. The organization provides various services, including disaster relief, health and social care and support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled and refugees. Through its extensive network of volunteers, the Red Cross delivers essential aid during emergencies, conducts blood donation drives and offers first aid training to the public.
The organization also runs various programs promoting health and well-being, such as disease prevention campaigns and mental health support services. In 2022, the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia reached more than 60,000 people with its long-term services and development programs and 1,200 people with its disaster response and early recovery programs.
Project HOPE
Project HOPE has been active in North Macedonia since 1992, focusing on improving health outcomes and building resilient health care systems. The organization works closely with local partners to train health care professionals, enhance medical facilities and ensure access to essential medicines and services. Project HOPE’s efforts include addressing chronic health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and supporting maternal and child health programs.
In 2007, Project HOPE, through its Medical Re-Supply Program (SMRP), delivered $97 million “worth of essential medicines and medical supplies throughout the country.” By strengthening the health care infrastructure and empowering medical staff with the necessary skills and resources, Project HOPE is improving health care quality in North Macedonia.
Shaping a Brighter Future
In the face of significant socioeconomic challenges, these organizations exemplify the resilience and dedication needed to foster positive change in North Macedonia. Through their diverse and impactful programs, they are addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term, equitable growth across the country. These charities empower individuals and communities by focusing on essential areas such as health care, education, social inclusion and humanitarian aid, paving the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future for all North Macedonians.
– Benjamin DeMarais
Photo: Flickr
How Renewable Energy Can Save Tunisia’s Economy
However, there is hope on the horizon. The World Bank has helped create a plan for recovery, showing significant improvement. The initiative, titled “The Renewed Energy to the Economy,” aims to boost the economy by 2.4% in 2024. One key strategy is to enhance Tunisia’s renewable energy resources, which is expected to contribute to economic growth.
The Impact of Expanding Renewable Energy in Tunisia
About 90% of Tunisia’s electricity is generated from natural gas, with more than half of it imported due to rising demand. By harnessing wind and solar resources, Tunisia could meet its electricity needs more sustainably. The country has the potential to generate up to 280 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, while its current peak electricity generation stands at only 5 GW. This significant capacity could greatly benefit the nation. This shift would also allow for the development of energy exports and decrease the amount of finances spent on importing fossil fuels, which can be directed elsewhere.
Presently, the cost of natural gas accounts for more than 70% of the cost of electricity produced. The plan sets a goal of generating 35% of Tunisia’s electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2030. This would mark a significant achievement, considering the country currently utilizes only 3% of its renewable resources. The total projected investment for this project is $4.5 billion. One of the key support systems for this initiative involves enhancing the electricity connection between Tunisia and Italy.
Alexandre Arrobbio, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Tunisia, says, “Despite ongoing challenges, there are significant opportunities for Tunisia to transform and strengthen its economy. With strategic investments, particularly in renewable energy, Tunisia could significantly enhance its economic resilience and sustainability.” The new transformative plan is ambitious and faces several environmental challenges, but it could be the economic solution Tunisia needs. Arrobbio suggests that transitioning to renewable resources and reducing dependence on international fossil fuels would not only improve the country’s financial position but also advance its move toward a sustainable lifestyle, adding a layer of security for Tunisia’s future.
Key to Sustainability
Tunisia needs to reduce the cost of electricity, especially given the rise in oil prices since 2022 and the reliance on natural gas for electricity production. The increasing cost of electricity from fossil fuels is becoming unsustainable. Renewable energy can significantly lower overall electricity costs, particularly amid volatile international energy prices. Revitalizing renewable energy has the potential to improve Tunisia’s economy, reduce poverty and move toward greater financial independence and sustainability.
– Charlotte Johnston
Photo: Flickr