🆕 Project Launch: ‘ID: CITIZEN – Solving Accessibility Challenges
📅 Start: August 1st, 2025 | Duration: 12 months
The international project “ID: CITIZEN – Solving Accessibility Challenges” brings together North Macedonia, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia to promote accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment of people with disabilities (PwD) through policy, awareness, and institutional change.
Led by EQUALITY NGO, the project aims to address architectural, cultural, and systemic exclusion by fostering social development, encouraging inclusive mindsets, and protecting the basic human rights.
🎯 Main Goals:
· Drive structural change through inclusive design
· Strengthen policy development through regional collaboration
· Empower PwD through advocacy and visibility
· Raise awareness of disability rights and access barriers
🚀 Key Activities Include:
🔹 Study Visit – Warsaw Region (01–05 Sept 2025):
Warsaw’s leading examples of architectural innovation and inclusive cultural programming will host 13 participants—representatives from Macedonia, Hungary, Slovakia, including experts from cultural/educational institutions, local authorities, NGOs (via open call), and 4 local PwDs. Participants will explore on-site how inclusivity is embedded in public spaces and policy.
🔹 Study Visit – Bratislava Region (10–14 Nov 2025):
This visit will focus on Slovakia’s new spatial planning and construction laws (2022), highlighting practical steps toward universal design. With a fresh group of 13 participants from MK, PL, HU, including local government officials, NGOs, and 4 Slovak PwDs, it will offer replicable models for inclusive urban development.
🔹 Awareness Campaign (Jul 2025–May 2026):
A broad-reaching campaign and website will engage the public, break stigma, and advocate for systemic change in how PwD are seen, heard, and included.
🔹 Publishing of “Policy Recommendations for Improved Inclusivity” (Mar–May 2026):
Drawing on field visits, research, and expert input, a comprehensive document will be released to guide institutions, policy-makers, and public actors toward more inclusive environments in Central and Eastern Europe.
👥 Target Groups:
Primary: Cultural/educational institutions and urban-focused policymakers
Secondary: PwD in Skopje, Warsaw, Budapest & Bratislava
Tertiary: General public through campaign efforts
“ID: CITIZEN – Solving Accessibility Challenges” – Because we all have the right to belong, participate, and shape the future.
The project is supported by the International Visegrad Fund and implemented by EQUALITY NGO (North Macedonia) in collaboration with Integracja Foundation (Poland), TENENET NGO (Slovakia), and Hand in Hand Organization (Hungary).
