Digital youth participation (e-participation) has enabled young people to become active citizens locally and at the European level. But the positive effects of digital youth participation are visible only when the learning process is conducted professionally. The use of digital tools is not enough to ensure the successful participation of young people in local communities, institutions and youth organisations. Unfortunately, the potential initiators often lack the experience, personnel and financial resources needed to plan and implement a successful project for e-participation of young people.

The project “DIGY – Digital participation of young people is easy” aims to solve this problem by providing resources and a process of building the capacities of interested organizations that plan to use the tool for e-participation of OPIN youth. Electronic learning materials are integrated on the OPIN website, a professional digital tool for electronic participation of young people, available in 10 European languages ​​(www.opin.me). The aim of the project is to strengthen and enrich the European infrastructure for electronic youth participation, through the delivery of learning modules for:

– Community of projects initiators and a space for exchange of information and advice on using the OPIN tool (“Community and Forum of OPIN”);

– High-quality e-learning materials and training videos, text-based resources and audio materials (“E-learning materials”);

– Best practices section (“Living Laboratory best practices”);

– Navigation and optimisation of the OPIN user interface in order to guarantee easy configuration of the platform (“Re-design of OPIN”).

On 13 July in Skopje, youth workers, non-governmental organisations and institutions had the opportunity to use these innovative and improved resources, increasing the number of projects that will encourage youth e-participation and develop the potential of youth participation. The conference was organized on national level and all projects results we promoted.Zoran Ilieski, Executive Director, said: “Democracy in the Republic of Macedonia needs more active citizens to be more involved in decision-making processes.” Research shows that Macedonian citizens do not participate enough or do not participate in the process of creating and making decisions. Only 25% of the interviewed institutions stated that they sometimes consult citizens through e-participation mechanisms when making a decision. The fact that young people use social networks, vote, like, comment and criticise on various topics related to their community, shows that the reality is different. young people want to be involved, but in a different way. According to the new trends, policy makers should adapt and look for ways to involve young people through easily accessible tools, using new technologies. By establishing OPIN as a tool for e-participation and increasing youth awareness of it, young people will approach the standards for youth e-participation and develop into active citizens who will contribute to their community. OPIN is used as a tool to increase youth e-participation and influence the improvement of decision-making and policy-making processes. SEGA will continue to develop new opportunities for digital participation, enabling Macedonian youth to express their opinions and needs more freely, just like European youth.