The Future Makers Programme brings together motivated university students who volunteer their own time, ideas and skills to contribute to sustainable development and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country. Through their own idea design, volunteering, consultations, campaigns and capacity-building activities, participants gain hands-on experience while strengthening the role of young people in shaping their communities and contributing to national priorities. The Future Makers do not work in vacuum –through the programme, young people have the chance to interact with relevant institutions, private sector stakeholders and UN entities, helping them contextualise and link their ideas with other actors. This joint initiative of the SustainEd University Coalition and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in North Macedonia brings together 20 students from eight universities in North Macedonia (UKIM, SEEU, UACS, UKLO, UT, IBU, Goce Delčev, Mother Teresa), organised into thematic teams working on practical initiatives that respond to environmental, social and development challenges. At its heart, Future Makers recognizes that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also important contributors to change today. Five active groups: Climate Action Group The Climate Action Group identided that the key challenge to textile recycling in the country is the limited public awareness of existing collection points. Following a survey and meetings with textile recycling companies, the team identified that recycling infrastructure is available, but people often do not know where they can drop off unwanted textiles. The team plans to develop a digital map showing textile collection points in Skopje and Kumanovo. A QR code linking directly to the map will be promoted through schools, universities, residential buildings, shops, shopping centres and social media, making information easier to access. By connecting citizens with existing recycling opportunities, the initiative aims to increase the use of textile collection bins, reduce textile waste and encourage more sustainable everyday habits. Team members: Monika Stojkovska, Stefan Vulovski Ivanov and Fjolla Jusufi SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) & SDG 13 (Climate Action) Education Group Through surveys, the Education Group concluded that traditional library environments may not always provide modern quiet study areas, spaces for group work or access to digital facilities that support contemporary learning. The team is exploring opportunities to build on the existing services of the City Library “Brothers Miladinovci” and the University library in Skopje. The proposed initiative focuses on better-designed individual study cubicles, collaborative project rooms and improved digital facilities. The Group is also planning a 24-hour study Marathon for students during midterm exams. By strengthening the role of public libraries as accessible learning hubs, the project seeks to support students' motivation, productivity and collaboration, while encouraging stronger partnerships between young people and public cultural institutions. Team members: Tamara Belevska, Aleksandar Miguel Lakovski, Ivana Panovska and Nina Velichkovska SDG 4 (Quality Education) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) Health Group The Health Group noticed that young adults aged 18–23 can fall between existing preventive health screening/well-person check-ups approaches designed for school-age populations and the general adult population, leaving important gaps in understanding their specific needs. The Group wishes to address the lack of comprehensive, student-specific data on health risks, healthcare access and health-related rights among undergraduate students in North Macedonia. The team plans to design and conduct surveys covering key areas, including access to primary healthcare, disease screening, immunisation, tobacco and nicotine use, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, financial barriers to care, trust in the health system and health literacy. The project aims to establish an evidence base that reflects students' experiences and challenges. Its findings will be compiled into a report that can help inform future policies and interventions by health institutions, universities and relevant partners, supporting more responsive and evidence-based approaches to student health. Team members: Ivan Kochoski and Milka Mukaetova SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 4 (Quality Education) Gender Equality Group The Gender Equality Group is focusing on women's inheritance rights and the connection between economic independence and gender-based violence. They identified that despite legal protections for equality, social norms and traditional inheritance practices can discourage women from claiming their rightful share of family property. Limited ownership of assets can affect women's financial independence and their ability to access economic opportunities or leave abusive situations. The initiative aims to create space for young people to discuss equal inheritance rights, challenge social taboos and better understand the consequences of economic inequality. Through open discussions at universities, surveys and consultations with relevant institutions and civil society organisations, the team will gather evidence on young people's knowledge, attitudes and experiences and try to put a limelight to this often overlooked but important topic. The findings will inform a youth policy recommendations brief to be presented to decision-makers and international partners. By encouraging informed dialogue and amplifying young people's perspectives, the project seeks to advance awareness of women's rights and promote greater economic equality. Team members: Enisa Sinani, Mihail Krstevski, Stefan Atanasovski Trajkovic, Stefani Lingurovska and Angjelina Vukasovlevikj SDG 5 (Gender Equality) Social Cohesion and Inclusion Group The Social Cohesion and Inclusion Group noted that barriers such as inaccessible entrances, damaged or blocked pavements, inadequate pedestrian crossings and limited accessible public transport information can make everyday activities difficult for persons with disabilities. Those barriers also limit their independent participation in public and community life. The Group wants to highlight the lack of structured information about these barriers can also make it harder for institutions and communities to identify where improvements are most urgently needed. To respond to this challenge, the team proposes the Access Skopje Mapathon, a community mapping initiative bringing together young volunteers, persons with disabilities and relevant organisations to document accessibility barriers at public locations in Skopje. The team also aims to develop and validate assessment criteria in collaboration with persons with disabilities and organisations with relevant expertise. The collected information will help identify recurring barriers, prioritise locations for action and develop evidence-based recommendations for responsible institutions, supporting more accessible and inclusive public spaces. Team members: Bojan Gjoshev, Zorica Spiroska and Matej Stojanovski SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) Looking Ahead The SustainEd Future Makers Programme is envisaged as a recurring programme, with the next call for new students to apply envisaged for the fall of 2026. The call is published on the United Nations Website. The vision for the Future Makers programme is to grow in a wider initiative for young people’s engagement and volunteering and extend to high school students and young people outside universities, connecting them to municipalities, youth centers and high schools. With the energy, creativity and commitment of its young people, Future Makers is helping turn bold ideas into meaningful action, and building a brighter, more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone in North Macedonia.