Europe House Launches Interactive 'NAVIGATOR' Campaign in North Macedonia to Combat Gender-Based Violence

The Europe House initiative, dedicated to educating young people about human rights, is evolving with the introduction of an interactive online game titled 'NAVIGATOR' scheduled for 2025. This approach is deeply rooted in progressive educational principles, emphasizing active participation and the direct application of knowledge to pressing societal challenges. The project is set to unfold in North Macedonia, a country where Europe House will be marking its second anniversary of operation in November 2025. During this period, the venue serves as a vital hub for youth debates and cultural programming across the nation.

The central theme for the 2025 campaign is 'Planet Orange,' a direct reference to the worldwide effort against gender-based violence. This issue remains alarmingly prevalent, with European Union data indicating that one in three women is affected. The 'NAVIGATOR' game will be live and accessible to participants between November 25, 2025, and December 14, 2025. This timeframe is strategically chosen to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually on November 25.

This educational endeavor carries significant civic weight, as it is timed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights. That landmark document was signed on November 4, 1950. The Convention was instrumental in establishing the European Court of Human Rights, which stands as the first legally binding European mechanism for human rights protection. It currently safeguards the rights of over 600 million citizens across the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. For context, the previous iteration of the 'NAVIGATOR' game, launched in December 2024, successfully engaged more than 50,000 players, focusing its educational content on children's rights and healthcare issues.

The 'NAVIGATOR' project benefits from crucial backing, receiving support from the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Office in North Macedonia. This collaboration underscores the project's multi-agency and international character. To incentivize broad participation, various rewards are on offer. These include an IT voucher valued at 60,000 Macedonian Denars (MKD) and special gifts provided by the embassies of the European Union member states. Addressing gender-based violence is a core priority for the EU, a commitment clearly articulated in the EU Gender Equality Strategy for 2020–2025 and further reinforced by the EU Directive 2024/1385.

Ensuring broad accessibility, the game content will be provided in both Macedonian and Albanian languages, catering to the diverse communities within North Macedonia, which has held EU candidate status since 2005. The culmination of the competition will be announced on December 17, 2025, with a ceremony held at the Europe House premises in Skopje. The deployment of digital tools like 'NAVIGATOR' clearly demonstrates the country's dedication to employing contemporary educational methods. These methods are vital for fostering an active and informed citizenry among young people regarding complex social matters.