Macedonia
Country information
The Republic of Macedonia lies in South East Europe and is completely land-locked. Macedonia borders on Albania to the West, Bulgaria to the East, Greece to the South and Serbia to the North. Macedonia has a population of approximately 2,05 million people and is relatively sparsely populated. The official languages are Macedonian (70%) and Albanian (21%). Macedonian Orthodox Christians form approximately 67% of the population. Another 30% are Sunni Muslims and the remaining 3% are Catholic, Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Atheists or Bektasi.
After the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Macedonia declared its independence on 17 September 1991 after holding a referendum. In early 2002 Yugoslavia withdrew its federal army from Macedonia. In 1993 Macedonia was recognized under the provisional name of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) by the United Nations. The first free parliamentary and presidential elections were held in 1994. Until 2001 Macedonia was reasonably stable. Through trial and error successive governments have constructed a multi-ethnic state and free market economy. Subsequently the country was again plunged into political and ethnic tension until the NATO and EU intervened. On 22 March 2004 Macedonia applied to join the European Union.
Partner organization
Centre for Social Initiatives 'Nadez'
The Centre for Social Initiatives ‘Nadez’ is located in the district of Shiutca, Skopje. Since 1999 they have provided formal and informal education to adults and children of different ethnic backgrounds. Nadez is convinced that every individual is entitled to a dignified existence and tries to support individuals in realizing their potential. For a number of years Nadez has assisted returnees from Belgium and Germany. The photo shows a man who was trained as a builder by Nadez and subsequently got employment as a bricklayer and built an extension on his house.
Click here to read about our support programme in Macedonia in Dutch. For the Macedonian version, click here.
Contact
Eva van Gestel, 030-7551580, e.vgestel@maatwerkbijterugkeer.nl