Merita Maksuti is a devoted activist, community-oriented person, architect, environmentalist, uncompromised nature lover and human rights promoter. She holds a B.Sc. in Architecture from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, and M.A. in Urban planning from the Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School for Planning and Public Policy, New Jersey, USA, which she completed as a Fulbright Alumni. She is also a certified Energy Efficiency Auditor and during her 19 years of professional experience she has always maintained a link with her activism, volunteerism and environmentalism. She has been working as a Teaching Assistant at the Urban design department at the State University of Tetovo since 2009, and constantly uses the experience acquired in the USA to utilize the best practices she has acquired.

She often uses the English philosopher John Stuart Mill’s words to describe her life path: There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home. Having felt in her teenage years what it was like to be a refugee herself,  her main goal and motive in life was to try to build and rebuild not only physical buildings, but she also devoted part of her time to building better communities in the full sense of the word (https://greencivil.mk/2020/08/zeleni-vrednosti/?fbclid=IwAR1fvhfZmJs-C-VNhXv6E4YQWX8ynLxW8bVi1BgACQD993km0nXWf9idXHo)

“The first time I was introduced to a possibility to be a part of a Fulbright study program scholarship back in 2011 I did not hesitate to give it a chance and apply for the scholarship. I challenged myself and was admitted to one of the top 5 schools for Urban Planning in the USA at the time. The experience was unique, challenging and most of all exceptionally valuable in many aspects. I voluntarily engaged in reparation of an elementary school In Bronx, NYC and worked also as a mentor to students. That was the first serious involvement in helping the communities directly. Visiting the first LEED certified building and Museum of Natural Science in San Francisco, CA has brought me face to face with another green approach to building, living and acting as a citizen who demands a healthier and environmentally friendly environment” , says Merita.

Inspired by the proactive approach of the US citizens in volunteering for community development and enhancement, along with other activists, she founded an environmental NGO Eco guerilla to fight air pollution. They were quite vocal in shutting down the biggest polluter in the Polog region in our country (https://www.facebook.com/ecoguerilla.mk). Eco guerilla is promoting urban and green values through dog watching activities and guerilla actions to alert on mismanagement, injustice and mistreatment of nature and natural resources.  Through her NGO, Merita is promoting green values, urban culture, equality and constructive approaches on all levels of life and work. (https://greencivil.mk/2020/08/maksuti-zeleniot-kontsept-e-set-od-vrednosti/?fbclid=IwAR0jUOMwmbElCPd-PDcgK117nnNQfdhCg2Xyp_WdzA1lPS5IWuFZauGamts

“Fulbright was a fulfilling, prestigious and honorable experience that helped me every step of the way. It is a legacy that needs to be cherished and nourished as the best knowledge bridge between nations.”, she adds.