On September 21 and 22, 2026, a two-day training session titled "Basic Training on Gender, Gender Equality, and Mainstreaming the Gender Perspective in Public Policies" was held at the Resource Center for Gender-Responsive Policy-Making and Budgeting within the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth.

The training aimed to advance gender equality and strengthen institutional capacities for integrating the gender perspective into public policy-making, strategic planning, budgeting, and policy monitoring processes.

Representatives from local self-government units participated in the training, gaining the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and practical skills regarding gender equality and the application of the gender perspective in local-level operations.

The training covered fundamental concepts related to gender and gender equality, the importance of mainstreaming the gender perspective in public policies, and the role of local self-government in creating policies and measures that address the diverse needs of women and men.

Special emphasis was placed on the practical application of the knowledge gained and on identifying opportunities to advance gender equality within local policy-making, strategic planning, and budgeting processes. The training was organized by the Department for Gender-Responsive Policies and Gender-Responsive Budgeting within the Sector for Equal Opportunities (MLSP), with the support of the European Union-funded project "Technical Assistance to Improve the Enabling Environment for Civil Society Organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia."

Such activities contribute to the continuous strengthening of institutional capacities and the creation of conditions for the more effective and systematic integration of the gender perspective into public policies and local governance processes.