Author: Tatjana Srceva-Pavlovska

The Macedonian American Alumni Association is one of the most dynamic, proactive, and socially-conscious communities in the country. The Association itself functions as a huge family full of energetic members who are actively engaged in various ways and in number of different areas, developing ideas and implementing projects about how to give back to their home community – the Macedonian society, more specifically. In this respect, the funds for the Alumni small grants program, which are specifically designated for use by past participants of U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs motivate our alumni to leverage their experience in the United State in order to develop various concepts and implement them in a form of stimulating projects focused on giving back to the home community. Through the small grants projects, MAAA alumni display not only their creativity and innovative approaches, but also their leadership potential and organizational skills for addressing and resolving certain problems and ills of the modern-day societies.

Throughout the years, countless activities have been organized and conducted in number of different forms, including trainings, conferences, workshops, courses, academic competitions, summer camps (focused on language study, sports, etc.), exhibits, online projects, simulations, performances, or other sorts of environment-friendly, gender-equality and social inclusion based activities.

"YOU(th) CAN"
Project Manager: Ivan Durgutov

On September 6th, in the premises of Solun Hotel in Skopje, our alumnus Ivan Durgutov organized an event entitled "YOU(th) CAN" in the frames of the initiative of MAAA’s small grants program. The main goal of this initiative was to promote a positive narrative, to share success stories and encouraging messages for future generations on the importance of not only what your country can do for you, but rather of ‘what you can do for your country’, as President Kennedy said on one occasion. From the perspective of several young, highly motivated and ambitious people, who at the same time shared their personal stories, they learned not only about themselves, but also about many other young and well-educated people from North Macedonia, who have decided to invest themselves wholeheartedly, build their future at home, in their home country, and stay “not because some things or choices are easy, but because they are hard.” 

A photo exhibition of youth stories and display of the attitudes of young people and their activism were presented at the networking event. The event was also attended by many young people who were yet an additional proof of why volunteering and activism are important. The passion with which they spoke on the topic of “brain gain rather than brain drain” was commendable -  hearing their perspectives on why they see their future at home is precisely the maximized purpose of MAAA's support of these Small Grants Projects; to impact younger generations to react positively to the country’s future perspectives, disregarding the many actual barriers in favor of the enhanced opportunities, making the most of them.

Disinformation
Project Manager: Katerina Topalova 

Within her small grant project, Katerina Topalova, a journalist and active MAAA member, created an informative and educational video on disinformation titled “Wars and catastrophes, truths and lies”. More precisely she emphasizes the fake news circulating on social media related to the war in Ukraine, as well as those following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. She gives examples of several tweets and videos shared on the internet whose main aim was to spread false information and fear among people. These examples, as Topalova says, are only drops of water in the ocean of lies and she cautions the viewers against unconfirmed information. News should be carefully verified from relevant sources and should not be taken for granted.   

The youth for “green” changes
Project Manager: Marina Tošeska

Small grants projects conducted by our youngest alumni are worth mentioning, since they are one of the best ways to feel a sense of pride and achievement as a nation. Recognizing their energetic and creative projects, as well as their huge contribution and efforts to raise general awareness about some of the country’s most throbbing issues, are additional means of helping them set, expand and achieve even greater future goals, putting the wind in their sails and encouraging them to be the change we all want to see in the world.

In the light of it, please watch Marina Tošeska’s video about ways of “thinking green” and “young people being proactive in painting the Earth in ‘living colors’ and making it a better place for all of us” which is an alert that it is high time to “wake up” because we do not have a spare planet.

Startup Marketplace
Project Manager: Aleksandar Celeski

Another small grants project was implemented by our member Aleksandar Celeski on October 3rd, 2023. He had a Startup Marketplace pre-launch presentation of the new marketplace in front of Startups, SMEs, institutions, organizations, and the media, stating that the key motive for creating the Startup Marketplace is to encourage innovation and support the growth of startups.

Celeski further explained that Startup Marketplace is a platform or ecosystem designed to connect startups with various stakeholders such as investors, customers, mentors and other resources. It serves as a hub for startups to showcase their products or services, seek funding, gain validation, and access the support they need to grow and succeed. The use of artificial intelligence in the Startup Marketplace can improve its functionality by providing personalized recommendations, data analytics and automation of various processes. Startup Marketplace aims to build a Startup "boutique" where supporters and enthusiasts for new and innovative products will be able to provide a unique product or service, while companies can finance their product on a pay-as-you-go basis, creating a new concept of crowd-sourcing.

CBT & Neuroscience HUB
Project manager: Lenče Miloševa

Prof. Dr. Lenče Miloševa continued her activities within the small grant project The Youth Mental Health Project: Understanding & Supporting Youth Mental Health through lens of CBT (Cognitive-behavioral therapy) and Neuroscience. On October 20th, 2023, at Goce Delčev University, Štip, the seminar „Youth Mental Health and well-being as a Sustainable Developmental Goal: Contribution of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Neuroscience“ in the organization of Prof Miloševa, CBT & Neuroscience Hub, SOMA and the Faculty of Medical Sciences, was held. The seminar was part of the project activities with the aim of encouraging extracurricular, scientific and volunteer activities of students, doctoral students, and interns. Special guests at the seminar were the president of MAAA, Ms. Verica Jordanova, and Mr. Gazmend Ilazi, from the American Embassy in Skopje.

The seminar, which resulted in forming a students’ hub was intended mainly for students, interns, doctoral students at the University in Štip, with the aim of encouraging volunteering, as well as scientific and applied activities for raising awareness of mental health and combating stigma. Under the logo: “Today’s volunteer, tomorrow’s leader“ the second section of the event was dedicated to presentations delivered by eight Medical school graduates and Ph.D. students, and members of CBT & Neuroscience Hub. Under Prof. Miloševa`s mentorship, they presented their papers and analyses on different psychiatric disorders through film and arts with specific mental health focus. The goal was to initiate creative thinking and development of transversal skills to present mental illnesses from another, human perspective, thus raising the awareness for youth`s mental health, and fight against stigma.