The Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) continues to advance the Guardian Shield project with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Municipality of Kumanovo on December 23, 2024. This milestone builds on earlier agreements with Gostivar and Shtip, signed in October, marking a continuous effort to foster local resilience and establish frameworks to address radicalization and prevent violent extremism.
Guardian Shield, supported by Hedayah’s STRIVE Global Program, is focused on operationalizing a referral mechanism that strengthens collaboration among local institutions and supports individuals at risk. The signing in Kumanovo completes the initial phase of formalizing partnerships with municipalities, extending the collaborative framework.
In Kumanovo, the MOU outlines the establishment of Strategic Boards and Expert Teams to oversee the referral mechanism’s implementation. Key activities will include capacity-building workshops, the development of standard operating procedures, and technical support to strengthen local coordination. These efforts will align with the strategies already underway in Gostivar and Shtip, ensuring consistency and shared learning across the three municipalities.
With the signing of the MOU, Kumanovo joins the Guardian Shield project’s broader mission of building safer, more cohesive communities. The focus will now shift to piloting the referral mechanism, with implementation activities planned for early 2025.
