After the three-year implementation of the “Taking Action on Social Inclusion of Older People” (TASIOP) project in Macedonia, between 25 and 27 January 2019 in Struga, a final conference was organised with participation of project partners, InkluzivaM network members, representatives of relevant institutions and representatives of organisations that implemented microprojects within the TASIOP project framework. Natasa Todorovic and Dr Milutin Vracevic of the Red Cross of Serbia also participated in the conference while the conference aimed to present the results and achievements in the project as well as draft plans for future activities in Macedonia.

The conference was opened by Sait Saiti, Secretary General of the Macedonian Red Cross, the organisation that coordinated the project in Macedonia, underlining the fact that Macedonia also faces demographic ageing and that 12% of its population is over 65 years of age, while projects such as this one make strengthening of the civil society possible with a view to intensified advocating for improved quality of life of older people.

Natasa Todorovic of the Red Cross of Serbia spoke about the achievements and challenges in the project implementation in all the five countries of the Western Balkans, as well as the importance on networking. The project demonstrated that older people possess huge potential to contribute to their families and communities, but it also demonstrated the power of advocacy in building the society for all ages.

Ljupka Petkovska of the Macedonian Red Cross spoke about the achievements in the project implementation in Macedonia as well as the plans of InkluzivaM network in further advocacy efforts. The project indisputably improved visibility for older people as well as opportunities for their voices to be heard and through advocacy activities in helped older people’s needs be recognised in advocacy activities aiming to improve public policies.

Prof Dr Suncica Dimitrioska of the Institute for Social Work and Social Policy spoke on the topic of accepting ageing as a process; Natasa Maneska representing the city hall of Skopje spoke about the Skopje administration’s policies to support vulnerable social groups, with special emphasis on older people; Zoran Blazevski of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy presented the draft of the amendments on the Law on Social Protection of the Republic of Macedonia; Irena Spirkovska of UNFPA spoke about the demographic trends in Macedonia while Dr Elena Kjosevska of the Institute for Public Health had a presentation on the topic “Health of Older People in the Republic of Macedonia”. Sasko Jovanov of Association Humanity presented the Analysis of National Strategy for Older People 2010-2020 that was performed last year with participation of member organisations of InkluzivaM network, coordinated by Humanity.