Annual Report 2014 EN

YMCA Bitola g n i r e w o p Em outh! y

Annual Report 2014

CONTENTS...

Contact

About us

Call to action

Gratitudes

Financial Report

Transparency

Activities

Opening Words

03 0733 37 39 41 43 47

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YMCA Bitola

Opening Words In 2014 we have continued our work in the three key programs offering learning possibilities within the non formal education through: volunteer service, trainings and summer camps. All these activities happen on local, but also on national level. Throughout the year the main projects on wish we worked were: Implementation of the Convention of Rights of the Child in Macedonia, Young Men’s Leadership Project, and projects within the European Voluntary Service.

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OPENING WORDS

OPENING WORDS

In this year we have sustained the high number of beneficiaries we target with our activities. YMCA Bitola continues to be recognized as a confident, secure and serious partner for collaboration.

One of the qualities that make us uniquely human is our dependence on each other. YMCA Bitola work is driven by the commitment and enthusiasm of many incredible volunteers. We believe that volunteering helps to foster a culture of participation, increase the responsibility and contributes to the overall personal development of the people involved.

MANY THANKS to all our volunteers, donors and community members for their commitment to help enhance YMCA Bitola in implementing its mission.

Viktor Iliev President and CEO of YMCA Bitola National General Secretary, YMCA Macedonia

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s e i t i v i

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numbers:

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Through different kinds of trainings at YMCA Bitola, in our country and abroad, we enable our youth to gain the necessary knowledge and skills, to grow as persons and to discover new horizons!

Leave the daily monotony and use the opportunities !

Y-Тraining

We are here for our members with detailed information for numerious available trainings in the country and abroad. Most of these events fall under the “ERASMUS+” program funded with 100% of training costs and part of the travel costs. If you have question or need support contact us at: contact@ymcabitola.org. mk.

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NotifY Testimonials

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“This exchange helped me grow as a person in many areas and to get to know myself better. It began with how we react about certain things, how we cope with certain situations and how we coexist in our environment. I gained a life experience which I can use in many future life situations. Now when every one of us is back in our own so-called reality, we know what to think about. We have full heads of memories and hearts filled with emotions. We have found the answers of our questions and we found many unanswered questions that will be our motivation to continue to search. Human curiosity can never be satisfied and there always be things that we do not know. It is up to us if we want to learn and we will learn if we ask, and if we learn how to listen.”

By Aleksandra Cingaroska

“We also explored how to use digital tools in our youth work with the EVS volunteers and reflect on the importance of intercultural and tolerance in these kinds of projects. We used every moment to share experiences and to learn from each other. This occurred on the quiet nights and pleasant breakfasts, in the most calming atmosphere, where no one told us what to think about. The discussion was flowing from within.”

By Aleksandra Andonovska

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NotifY Testimonials

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“My engagement as a Change Agent for the last year and a half, ended with official ceremony in Colorado where we were awarded certificates. The program encouraged me to think about the participation of young people not just in YMCA, but also globally. We need to think about whether young people are aware of the power they own in resolving problems which we face on a daily basis, including unemployment, involvement in decision making, environmental protection, and many others.”

By Katerina Kimovska

“We want to share our pleasure and gained knowledge with you. The social and experienced education (holistic and comprehensive) consisted of: learning to know, learning to be, learning to make, and learning to live together. All this is very significant for the right development and socialization of the kids and young people. This is why we recommend further development of this kind of education in Macedonia.”

By Ilija Vasilevski

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18 Each year our members participate in youth exchanges, festivals and summer camps (full of learning, fun, fellowship, sharing experiences etc.) organized by YMCA Bitola or our partner organizations. We expect you at some of these events! Contact us!

Take the challenge and build your leadership attitude !

Camps

The main activity within this program on whicwe work is The Young Men’s Leadership Project (YMLP) that has been organized since 2006. The Young Men’s Leadership Project (YMLP) is a program designed to develop and engage young men in Macedonia to help mold them into the future leaders of tomorrow. The Young Men’s Leadership Project provides a unique opportunity for young men from around the country to develop personal and professional skills in an environment that fosters social inclusion and integration. By continuing this annual project, YMLP seeks to contribute to a more harmonious and prosperous future for Macedonia and its citizens.

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NotifY Testimonials

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“What will stay for a long time in my head is the specialty of every team, their unity, unselfishness, and the honest friendships between them. The morning line ups and the melodies of the creative chants which sang out loud showed the camping spirit, and were heard far in the woods. Every camper took that spirit home with him, and I believe that he saw his community with different eyes.

If you want to make a difference and change the world, first you need to change yourself.”

By Elena Bogdanovska

“I really like YMLP, and I am just addicted to it. It’s an awesome experience for all the young men of Macedonia. If you are going to apply for next year’s camp I am going to see you and will help you because of my experiences.”

By Shpend Beqiri

“I had a great time here. Yesterday we had rough camp in the mountains and it was awesome. We had some s’mores with marshmallows. Marshmallows are a piece of heaven, you must to try it. I can never forget the taste. I will recognize it in a dream!”

By Todor Petrov

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NotifY Testimonials

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““YMLP really is maybe the best program that I’ve been a part of since arriving in Macedonia. I love the commitment of the volunteers to provide such a unique opportunity for the youth of Macedonia. YMLP gives the young men who come here a chance to really express their ideas, to really learn in an all English environment, and to be able to be around like minded young men.”

By Justin Ritsema “These are Macedonia’s bright and inspiring leaders for the future. Investing in GLOW and YMLP is investing in the future of Macedonia.”

By Cindy Sorensen

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NotifY Testimonials

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“As spring began to twinkle, I got the urge to travel and meet new people. I got an offer that I could not refuse: EYE (European Youth Event) 2014 Festival in Strasbourg.

We had an opportunity to hear very inspiring stories from people who accomplished something in their life and found their dream job. We also heard about an idea from the European Union, to make education available online for everyone. This gave me an idea to start my own online course in the future and to create an international career…”

By Ivana Spirovska “There is no Wi-fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection. This is the story of eight Macedonians in the resort “La Cascanide,” YMCA Loire (France).

There were different things to do in the work camp: working in the garden; painting and rearranging the big dormitory on the second floor; repainting the stairs behind the house; painting the walls in the pharmacy; and daily little things for repairring the house. All these activities were performed in groups of three or more persons each from a different country. That created a great chance for the young people from different countries to communicate, to find the differences and similarities about the countries they came from, their cultures and styles of living.”

By Marija Jankulovska

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26 Volunteering is the best way to gain experience, learn new skills, build own resume, personal and professional development, travel and to help our community. YMCA Bitola encourage young people to involve and volunteer in our activities. Open calls for local volunteers you can find on our web site, or on our profiles on the social networks.

Get involved and take your future in your hands !

Voluntary Service

YMCA Bitola also offers you unforgettable international volunteer engagement in Europe! You can realize that through the EVS program in some of the European countries! The EVS program offers you an opportunity to work on a project in non-profit organization in a European country and thus gain an unforgettable international experience. If you are interested to apply contact us on evs@ymcabitola.org.mk and YMCA Bitola will assist you.

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NotifY Testimonials

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“Life is about living, and living is about working, friendships and sharing moments. When I arrived in Bitola from Tirana, Albania, I thought to myself, “Okay, it’s only three weeks, not a big deal.” But during those three weeks that I stayed among you, my friends, I felt special, full of energy, enthusiasm, and most of all, loved. Dear friends of YMCA Bitola, you taught me to work with heart, not just with brain or muscles.

Among you, dear YMCA friends, I lived life to the maximum.

I enjoyed every single moment and you taught me so much.”

By Rudina Kopo

“EVS is an experience that all young people should experience. It is the best opportunity for traveling, new friendships, and new adventures! You can choose an EVS project that you would like to take part, and one in which you will gain valuable working experience. You can have an unforgettable time. My dream is coming true! I’ve taken the challenge and I’m having new adventures, meeting new people, cultures and habits. Don’t wait! Live your dream!”

By Mende Mackaroski

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NotifY Testimonials

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“After 2 months spent in the lovely surroundings of Ommen, The Netherlands, it is a bit difficult to arrange the impressions, so I will start with a question: what would I recommend to future EVS volunteers? GO FOR IT with thumbs up and a BIG LIKE. The world is there, you just need to reach for it!”

By Monika Krstevska

“Volunteer, become aware that informal education is much more important than the formal one, and begin with that from high school. Through informal education you don’t learn textbook lessons, but you learn about team work, leadership skills, communication, deadline work, and solving conflict situations.”

By Svetlana Petkovska

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NotifY Testimonials

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“This EVS gave me the same opportunity I received from my other experiences abroad: living among people from a different culture, learning from them. The culture you live in is mixed with your own culture. When you live another style of life, a part of the culture grafts into what you already have inside you and you become more unique and yet more integrated in this world.”

By Caroline Dujardine

“My work itself has expanded my knowledge as well. I’ve learned that in this work I need to be patient and tolerant.

I’m also very glad that I learned that people with mental disabilities need a lot of care and love so that they can contribute to society as much as any other healthy person. It is enough to just give them a chance to do what they know best.”

By Maja Petkovska

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Transparency

The official magazine of YMCA Bitola The purpose of NotifY is promotion of public and youth activism, youth participation, volunteerism and other activities that support people’s involvement in the community through sharing of all interesting activities happening at YMCA Bitola or in which YMCA Bitola members took part. NotifY is for our members, partners and colleagues, and for everyone interested in getting involved in the community life.

NotifY comes out every three months starting from January 2003 and is prepared by a team of YMCA Bitola volunteers.

It is distributed for free in an electronic format via e-mail.

Everyone who is interested in receiving the NotifY editions can login at the “NotifY for me!” part or occasionally can visit our “NotifY archive”.

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Blog

On-line presence

The aim of our BLOG is to encourage sharing personal stories and experiences of participants in different events that we organize, as well as to serve as a resource for the needs of our newsletter "NotifY".

We believe that the blog will increase the accessibility of information, empower our young people to be more open to new ideas and to contribute establishing new relations between people on a local, national and international level.

Media presence We share our events and activities with the media:

Visit our blog :

Because we have stories to tell!

In 2013 the team released 3 NotifY editions in which have engaged 41 volunteers and other young people.

We distribute NotifY to 1.700 subscribers. Our blog started to work in November and by the end of the year had over 8.000 page views. We have doubled the numbers of our followers on all the social networks.

Financial Report 2014 (â‚Ź)

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Balance from previous year

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Interests and positive exchange rate differences

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Revenues from grants, donations and membership fee

15,103 82 16,922

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Other incomes

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Total revenues

0

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Supplies

930

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Electricity

233

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Equipment maintanance

33,202

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Other services

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Transport expenses

49

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Promotional expenses, food allowances

5,878

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Rent

1,054

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Bills

394

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Bank provisions

196

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Insurance service

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Diems and official travels

1,101

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Volunteer expenses

2,078

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Negative exchange rate differences

78

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Fees

49

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Intellectual and other services

3,132

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Salaries

2,797

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Expenses for international cooperation

6,459

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Total expenses

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Balance for next year

388

281

25,133 8,069

* The line for promotion and representation is higher due to hosting international long term volunteers through the European Voluntary Service program of EU.

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Gratitudes

During the year 2014 we received financial/material project support from: YMCA Europe YMCA World Y’s Men International US Embassy in Macedonia National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility National Agencies of France, Hungary and Belgium Education, audiovisual and culture executive agency of EU Macedonian Center for Civic Education (MCGO) Municipality of Bitola YMCA Michiana, USA During the year 2014 on various cooperated with the following partners:

projects

Local/National level Coalition of youth organizations SEGA Union for Youth Work

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YMCA Skopje Youth Cultural Center Peace Corps Macedonia Municipality of Bitola Primary school “Elpida Karamandi”, Bitola Primary school “Kole Kaninski”, Bitola Primary school “Goce Delcev”, Bitola Primary school “Gjorgi Sugarev”, Bitola Economic secondary school “Jane Sandanski”, Bitola The gymnasium “Josip Broz Tito”, Bitola International level YMCA Europe YMCA Romania YMCA France YMCA Gabrovo, Bulgaria YMCA Thessaloniki, Greece YMCA Kosovo Olde Vechte Foundation, the Netherlands Culture Goes Europe Erfurt, Germany Here we like to THANK ALL institutions, organizations, schools and individuals for the support of YMCA Bitola in fulfilling our mission!

SPECIAL THANKS to all our volunteers for their support, time and energy that helped in realization of our activities throughout the year!

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Call to action !

ADVOCATE

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Follow the latest news from us and share them with the relevant people that you know. Follow us on the social networks and subscribe to our NotifY newsletter.

VOLUNTEER

We also accept international volunteers through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) and the Peace Corps which provides opportunity for working in international and intercultural environment. Read the inspiring stories of our volunteers on our blog!

DONATE

Donate and make a difference!

Because we work more than 10 years, serve 2000+ young people annually and because we are fully transparent in our work! Join us on implementing our mission to empower the young people and build better community! You can donate as individual or as company/institution. We also accept in-kind donations such as services or material goods.

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About us

YMCA Bitola is a non-profit, nongovernmental, nonreligious and an inclusive youth association which aims to provide opportunities for local youth and to actively work with them in our community. YMCA Macedonia is part of the YMCA £family spread throughout 119 countries worldwide reaching over 58 million people. YMCA Bitola was established in May 2002.

The main goal of the Association is to provide activities and opportunities in the fields of non-formal education, promoting healthy lifestyles, arts and culture, and civil society that develop positive values and attitudes among young people.

44 We focus on activities of public interest: non-formal education, culture and art, healthy lifestyle, civil society and children’s rights. We accomplish our activities through: trainings, seminars, workshops, camps, festivals, international study visits and other activities. We work on both local and international levels.

Multimedia products from our activities include: documentary movies, short videos, comics and promotional materials.

YMCA in Macedonia

VISION: YMCA Bitola is а respected local organization that provides opportunities which empower young people to meet the ever-changing future with greater courage, wisdom and love.

In Macedonia the first local YMCA was formed in 1999 in Skopje. Today in Macedonia there are two local YMCA associations in Skopje and Bitola. YMCA Macedonia is full member of YMCA Europe since 2008.

MISSION: YMCA Bitola works with young people in their personal development of body, mind and spirit by providing opportunities that nurture their responsibility, stimulate their creativity and celebrate the diversity of all God’s creations.

YMCA Macedonia emphasize the interaction among our youth working together for personal development of spirit, mind and body. We stimulate our young people in their diversity and creativity providing opportunities for better future for all.

VALUES that we nurture and support: Courage - Responsibility - Respect - Creativity - Care

We see youth as our main target group, human recourse and development potential. We offer them possibilities for healthy development of spirit, mind and body through different group and personal activities involving creative work, intellectual challenges and getting new skills and knowledge. We empower all, especially young people to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels. We are building awareness of the cultural differences.

MOTTO: Empowering youth!

We welcome all people with a focus on youth.

The headquarters of YMCA Macedonia is based in Bitola providing activities and opportunities for more than 2.000 young people annually. Contact: www.ymca.mk

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46 The Team:

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48 E-mail contact@ymcabitola.org.mk Phone +389 47 529 366

Contact

Postal Address Vasko Karangelevski REMO 1/3/42 7000 Bitola, Macedonia Office Address Petar Petrovic Njegos No. 128/16 7000 Bitola, Macedonia