Center for Balkan Cooperation LOJA
Center for Balkan Cooperation LOJA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization with no political affiliation, based in the city of Tetovo, North Macedonia. It was registered in 2000 within the framework of the Law for Citizens Associations in the Republic of North Macedonia and its main activities are in the field of Education and Culture. From a purely
grassroots organization, it has built itself into a hybrid organization that, on the one hand, maintains close links with its original grassroots and, on the other, attempts to influence policy decisions. From a relatively small organization, it has now emerged as a leading player in the country and the region. Today, initiatives launched by LOJA in ethnically challenged environments go on to become orientation models for other organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia and the wider Balkan region. Existing cultural activities of Center LOJA are dedicated to the improvement of the cultural and social life in the city of Tetovo and the western part of North Macedonia in general. With the establishment of the cultural department and its program assets, LOJA has established preconditions for cultural production and cultural animation, involving creative individuals and groups, cultural organizations and institutions and all ethnic, cultural and social communities in the region and wider. The cultural activities include a wide range of both cultural productions and cultural animation activities (film and video production, cinemas, stage performances, exhibitions, festivals, etc.) LOJA's current educational activities aim to decrease the negative social impacts of increasing segregation. The activities are focused on the curricular and extracurricular activities in both Tetovo Universities (SEEU and UT), Skopje University "Kiril and Metodij" (two faculties), and universities of Bitola and Stip. Through the direct target groups (future teachers) LOJA aims to "furthering inter-ethnic tolerance and understanding, strengthening democracy and civil society and improving the conditions of life" in North Macedonia. On the institutional level, we aim to further extend cooperation ties between all institutions in the educational system in order to support peaceful coexistence and prevent violence in all schools in the country and the region. Current target of LOJA are also all the primary and secondary schools in North Macedonia aiming to bring closer pupils from different cultural backgrounds. Through the activities in the field of education, LOJA works towards strengthening and improving the educational system in the country. Today LOJA presents one of the most important intercultural players within the youth in the conflict areas of the Balkans.
