The Story Behind FECH
Who are we?
Students Forum is part of the project “Promoting Youth Engagement in Accountability of Public Institutions” Implemented by Forum for Educational Change and funded by th eNational Endowment for Democracy. With Students Forum we try to empower students by offering a dynamic and inclusive platform where they can openly discuss, confront, and triumph over the obstacles encountered on their academic journey.
Our Story
Forum for Educational Change – FECH is a grassroots Civil Society Organization (CSO) founded in October 2021, that aims to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of higher education in North Macedonia and to empower students to contribute to the local and international community through their active participation in the decision-making processes. FECH is a joint investment of people of goodwill who have joined with precise goals – that Macedonia should have high-quality public education while the students should be the ones who decide, not only to follow the rules set by some people of advanced age in four walls and without transparency
Our Impact
FECH is a joint investment of people of goodwill who have joined with precise goals – that Macedonia should have high-quality public education while the students should be the ones who decide, not only to follow the rules set by some people of advanced age in four walls and without transparency. Over the years, we have successfully initiated and implemented numerous projects aimed at empowering student assemblies, addressing corruption in higher education, offering young people in Tetovo a space to gather and implement activities, creating coalitions such #DigiU aims to digitize the public universities of North Macedonia and facilitate the establishment of the first-ever National Student Body within the country.
Governing Board
Blendi Hodai
Executive Director
Blendi Hodai is a dynamic individual passionate about education and social change. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of the NGO Forum for Educational Change, improving education in North Macedonia. He also founded and led the prominent student movement UNSHM and is a bachelor’s student majoring in International and Intercultural Studies. As a part-time facilitator and consultant, Blendi works on advocacy, youth activism, conflict management, and peacebuilding, and consults for the UNFPA office in Skopje. His diverse background makes him a valuable asset to any organization working toward positive change.
Viktorija Postolovska
Project Coordinator
Viktorija chose to continue her education in Linguistics right after she graduated at the English Language and Literature Department at the Faculty of Philology “Blaze Koneski” in Skopje. In 2022 she was elected as the second Student Ombudsman at the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, which was the beginning of a very passionate activist career. After graduating and passing the mandate as a Student Ombudsman, Viktorija started working as a project coordinator at FECH, which allowed her to continue with a direct impact on the academic community, this time professionally. In her free time you can find her manifesting a better society for all.
Ardit Ramadani
Head of PR & Research
Ardit Ramadani is a master of Mass Communication and Journalism. He is the author and editor of several research studies. Previously, he worked as a fact-checker at Truthmeter.mk and Crithink.mk, as a journalist at 'Portalb.mk,' and at the National Television 'Alsat M.' Currently, Ardit is the editor-in-chief at 'Mollekuqja.mk' and head of research & communications at Forum for Educational Changes. Ardit is also a co-founder of both of these organizations, which are considered among the most influential in the country on issues related to youth and human rights.
Rina Abdullai
Graphic Designer
Rina is a graphic designer- illustrator. She studied Graphic Design at the University of Tetovo, Faculty of Arts. After University, she is working as a freelancer and currently working part time as a Graphic Designer at FECH. Her expertise includes creating logos, brand identity, posters, illustrating books, magazines, storyboards, and more. Rina also expressing herself through painting, drawing and capturing moments with camera.
Vesa Sherifi
Finance Officer
Vesa Sherifi a student of Medicine at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius and a part of the YES alumni community since 2018. Vesa was a City Representative for American Councils for International Education in North Macedonia during 2018-2019, where she has organized and facilitated different projects, workshops, and events in her hometown, Kumanovo, and Skopje. She has participated and helped in different events organized by American Councils all around North Macedonia and has also participated in different regional workshops and events.
Partners & Donors
NGO behind the forum
Forum for Educational Change - FECH is a grassroots Civil Society Organization (CSO) that aims to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of higher education in North Macedonia and to empower students to contribute to the local and international community through their active participation in the decision-making processes. FECH is a joint investment of people of goodwill who have joined with precise goals - that Macedonia should have high-quality public education while the students should be the ones who decide, not only to follow the rules set by some people of advanced age in four walls and without transparency
Program supporter
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. NED is a unique institution. The Endowment’s nongovernmental character gives it a flexibility that makes it possible to work in some of the world’s most difficult circumstances, and to respond quickly when there is an opportunity for political change. NED is dedicated to fostering the growth of a wide range of democratic institutions abroad, including political parties, trade unions, free markets and business organizations, as well as the many elements of a vibrant civil society that ensure human rights, an independent media, and the rule of law.
Advisory Board
Vlora Reçica
Vlora Reçica is a researcher and Head of the Center for Parliamentary Support and Democratization (CPSD) within the Institute for democracy (IDSCS). She holds a master degree in Comparative Politics, specializing in Democracy and Democratization, from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her research and advocacy focus is on parliaments and parliamentary democracy, institutional building, populism and democratization processes in new democracies. Vlora is also the co-founder of Stella Network, a non-profit organization seeking to improve access to higher education and economic empowerment for girls and women in North Macedonia.
Agon Memedi
Agon Memedi is a Researcher at TU Berlin. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed conference and journal articles in the field of vehicular wireless communications. He was a Fulbgright Scholar with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and he has previously been awarded an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for Master's studies at Paderborn University. Since 2016, he is a board member and vice president at "Penda" Association for Education.
Petar Atanasov
Prof. Dr. Petar Atanasov worked as a journalist (1990–1994) and in the Ministry of Defense (1994–2001). He joined the Institute for Sociological and Political-Legal Research in 2001 and became a full professor in 2011, teaching sociology, multiculturalism, and research methodology. His work focuses on socio-economic development, multiculturalism, and ethnic conflicts. He has participated in various research projects and coordinated the Sociology of Organization doctoral program. He has taught at the University of Sarajevo and University American College-Skopje and is a member of the Senate at "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University in Skopje.
Emir Hasanović
This website is supported and funded by the National Endowment for Democracy and European Endowment for Democracy. This website reflects the views only of the author, and neither the National Endowment for Democracy can be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein .