arrow-circle arrow-down-basicarrow-down arrow-left-small arrow-left arrow-right-small arrow-right arrow-up arrow closefacebooklinkedinsearch twittervideo-icon

City Spotlight: Strumica, North Macedonia

Located in the far southeastern corner of the Republic of North Macedonia, Strumica is a multi-ethnic city with a population of over 50,000, comprising ethnic Macedonians, a significant Turkish minority and communities of Serbs, Roma and others.

Strumica joined Strong Cities in 2023 and has since been an active participant, engaging in numerous events, including regional and thematic workshops in the region and the Strong Cities’ Fifth Global Summit (December 2024), which the Mayor of Strumica attended.

What is the local government concerned about?

Strumica faces challenges that threaten its social fabric, including the marginalisation of minority groups and tensions between ethnic communities and members of different political parties, complicating efforts to build trust and cooperation. These divisions are further exacerbated by segregation, especially for the Turkish and Roma communities, which frequently reside in neighbourhoods lacking basic infrastructure. Addressing these interconnected issues is critical for fostering integration, enhancing social cohesion and ensuring that all residents enjoy equal rights and freedoms.

How is the local government responding?

Social Cohesion

The Municipality of Strumica is committed to fostering community cohesion to prevent the marginalisation of minorities and other vulnerable groups. Central to this effort is the Strumica – A Caring City concept, which prioritises the needs of citizens at social risk and promotes social development through a range of services. For instance, the Municipality has launched projects through its Programmes for Social Protection, which aims to improve the lives of vulnerable groups, focusing on social, child and healthcare assistance. A flagship initiative is the Social Housing Project for Vulnerable Communities, which provides housing for over 100 Turkish and Roma families. This project, co-funded by the Municipality and the national government, involves developing a social settlement, including infrastructure improvements and new housing construction, through consultations and participatory decision-making with the affected communities.

The Municipality has also promoted religious harmony as a part of its Caring City concept. An important part of this was Strumica hosting the Second World Conference on Religious Dialogue and Cooperation in June 2024, welcoming over 60 representatives from 22 countries to discuss interfaith harmony. On that occasion, Deputy Mayor Elena Magerovska Palikarova underscored Strumica’s commitment to pluralism, stating, “Our goal is to foster an environment where people of all religions can coexist peacefully, respecting each other’s choices and beliefs.”

Operationalising Multi-Actor Mechanism for a Whole-of-Society Prevention

Established in 2008, the Local Prevention Council serves as a cornerstone of Strumica’s prevention efforts. It operates as a multi-stakeholder body addressing local public safety and security concerns. Regular meetings ensure effective coordination among municipal authorities, law enforcement and civil society, contributing to the de-securitisation of prevention efforts. The Local Prevention Council provides a vital platform for addressing security concerns traditionally viewed within the domain of law enforcement by incorporating perspectives from local government and civil society stakeholders. It has played a key role in streamlining communication and coordination between these groups, avoiding overlapping efforts and ensuring clear jurisdictional responsibilities. The Local Prevention Council’s inclusive approach ensures that diverse voices, including those from marginalised communities, are heard and factored into municipal safety strategies. It also continuously facilitates engagement with civil society and community-based organisations, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and ownership of local safety efforts. The council’s ability to adapt to emerging challenges has been crucial in its longevity and impact, serving as a model for other municipalities in the region.

Municipal officials attribute the LPC’s success to strong national-local cooperation, where local action is aligned with national frameworks. With new municipal administration underscoring the importance of this existing platform when it assumed office in 2021, the Local Prevention Council has remained one of the few councils in North Macedonia to be sustained across multiple local administrations.

Support for Vulnerable Groups

Strumica has pioneered initiatives for vulnerable populations, addressing their diverse needs through innovative programs and services. The city’s self-financing shelter for victims of domestic violence – the first of its kind in the country – set a national precedent, providing crucial support to survivors. Additionally, the Centre for People with Down Syndrome and a daycare centre for children with disabilities offer tailored care and individualised support plans, ensuring inclusivity.

To further assist vulnerable residents, Strumica provides free kindergarten for single parents, scholarships for students and special education for children with autism. Personal and educational assistants, as well as free transportation, are made available to students with disabilities, ensuring access to education for all.

The Multipurpose Social Centre plays a key role in supporting socially vulnerable citizens through targeted initiatives such as financial aid for first graders and newborns. Another relevant programme, the Stop Peer Violence, identifies potential signs of violence early and intervenes to prevent peer violence. This project employs psychologists to engage children in discussions about behavioural patterns and stereotypes, replacing aggression with friendship and fostering positive habits. It also highlights the negative impact of excessive digital device use, promoting teamwork and cooperative play as healthier alternatives.

Women’s Empowerment

Strumica works to empower women through a multi-faceted approach that includes education, economic initiatives and anti-violence programmes. In line with its Local Strategy to Support Women’s Entrepreneurship, the Local Council for Women’s Entrepreneurship, established in 2023, promotes business opportunities for women by fostering a supportive business climate and encouraging female entrepreneurship. It also provides training programs aimed at building skills for employment and self-employment, ensuring greater economic independence for women.

Additionally, the Municipality has been a pioneer in addressing domestic violence by funding shelters for victims and establishing programmes that provide ongoing support and resources for survivors. Workshops and awareness campaigns are conducted in schools to educate young women and girls about mental health, self-worth and recognising different forms of violence.

Strumica actively involves women in municipal governance, ensuring their participation in budget planning and decision-making processes. In collaboration with the Organisation of Women from Strumica, the municipality organises meetings to identify challenges, set priorities, and devise actionable solutions. Additionally, single parents, many of whom are women, benefit from financial assistance such as exemption from kindergarten fees and targeted social support programs.

In 2024, the municipality allocated $182,000 to support activities promoting gender equality as part of the 2024 Annual Programme for Equal Opportunities for Men and Women. This funding underscores Strumica’s dedication to advancing gender equality and supporting women’s empowerment across various sectors.

The municipality’s commitment to gender equality extends to its education system, where it provides scholarships and educational opportunities specifically for young women. Training and mentorship programs are further tailored to help women enhance their professional and personal growth, making Strumica a leader in women’s empowerment in the region.

What’s next?

Despite financial and staffing challenges, the Municipality of Strumica remains committed to strengthening its prevention model and, more broadly, social cohesion efforts. Priorities include enhancing the Local Prevention Council’s organisational structure, expanding mentoring programs for municipal staff and formalising knowledge-sharing mechanisms. Additionally, the Municipality is looking for additional opportunities to empower women and is considering opportunities for more women will be actively involved in municipal budget planning and activity delivery, ensuring their voices shape municipal priorities. It aims to deploy training programmes to enhance women’s access to the labour market and economic independence. Additionally, supporting single parents and students with disabilities will remain a priority, underscoring Strumica’s commitment to inclusivity and community well-being for all of its diverse residents.

Is your city a Strong City?

Strong Cities membership is open to local authorities at the city, municipal or other subnational level. Membership is free of charge.