Who we are

Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis – CSRA is a non-profit independent organization focused on promoting good governance and development in North Macedonia.

We act by providing timely and relevant research, alternative policy proposals based on that research, advocacy and active work with the community, civil society organizations, academia and political actors. We contribute to the policy-making processes at the local, national and regional level, through research, advocacy, encouraging debates and discussions on issues that are relevant to Macedonian citizens.

Since its foundation, the CSRA has contributed to democratic transformation of the country and its integration in the European Union mainly in all aspects of security governance but also other areas such as youth and sustainable development.

Activities

CSRA supports the consolidation of their areas of work in North Macedonia on its path towards the EU and the Euro-Atlantic integration mainly through the following activities:

  • Research and Policy Analysis
  • Policy Recommendation and Advocacy
  • Alternative expertise on the challenges
  • Conferences and Public Discussions on relevant issues
  • Networking connecting all relevant actors in North Macedonia
  • Community engagement and resilience
  • Networking and building strong partnerships with relevant think-tanks

History

CSRA was established in 2015 in Bitola, with the primary goal of raising awareness and understanding of security issues in the country, under the name Security Policy Research Forum SECURITAS. The NGO has contributed to the country’s security sector reform, civilian oversight and control over security agencies. Since its inception, the organization has grown in its vision for the country, working to support a democratic and developed Republic of Northern Macedonia in Europe. Our task is to provide decision makers with appropriate knowledge.

Highlighted projects:

  • 2020:  Platform for citizens monitoring of security agencies, supported by Civica Mobilitas, aiming to further strengthen the participation of civil society organizations in the creation and implementation of policies related to the plan for reform priorities, arising from the so- called. Blueprint Group, which were developed in order to restore democratic standards and values, to achieve progress in certain areas of public policy, as well as to restore citizens’ trust in key state institutions in 2016.
  • 2019-2020:  Youth safety culture: Prevention and conflict resolution in schools – a project funded by the Municipality of Prilep. The project focused on peer violence / violence prevention in primary schools in Prilep and was implemented in several phases.
  • 2017:  Safe Local Elections 2017 – The aim of the project was to monitor the Local Elections with a special focus on police conduct during the 2017 Local Elections. Funded by Civica Mobilitas.
  • 2016:  Report on the Feasibility of Introducing UNESCO’s Teachers’ Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism in the Education Sector of the Host Country – consultancy. Funded by OSCE Mission to Skopje.
  • 2015 -2016: ICT Youth Bitola – The project provided training and employment opportunities in the ICT industry for young people in Pelagonia region. Funded by the US Embassy to Macedonia under the Democracy Commission Grants Program and co-implemented with the Youth Forum Bitola.
  • 2016: The NGO participated in the preparation of the CSOs’ recommendations for reform to the Government of Macedonia, the Blueprint – Proposal for Urgent Democratic Reforms in the area of Oversight of police work, security agencies and (counter) intelligence agencies

Team

Peco Trajkoski, Founder and Current President of CSIA

Peco Trajkoski is a graduate of Sv. Kiril I Metodij University in Skopje, Institute for Security, Defense and Peace Security Studies Master Programme.  He wrote his thesis on the Geopolitical and security analysis of radical Islam in the Balkans.  His interests include, but are not limited to, terrorism and counterterrorism, countering violent radicalization, the Balkans and the MENA region. His professional experiences include OSCE where he contributed as a Research Assistant to the Report on the Feasibility of Introducing UNESCO’s Teachers’ Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism in the Education Sector of the Host Country. Also he has participated in the preparation of the CSOs’ recommendations for reform to the Government of North Macedonia i.e. the Blueprint – Proposal for Urgent Democratic Reforms in the area of Oversight of police work, security agencies and (counter) intelligence agencies.

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