SEEU and UoB Launch Collaborative Project on Air Quality in North Macedonia

We are happy to share the launch of a new project titled “Bridging Science, Policy, and Community: Enhancing Air Quality Research, Advocacy, and Capacity Building in North Macedonia.” Funded by the Research England International Strategy and Partnership Fund, this initiative is the result of three years of active collaboration between South East European University and the University of Birmingham.

This project is an important step in our joint efforts to address air pollution in North Macedonia, with a focus on the city of Tetova as case study. The project will strengthen the academic foundation for air quality action by facilitating the publication of research papers based on the master’s dissertations of the three McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellows at SEEU. These papers will represent the first academic literature specifically addressing air pollution in Tetovo, laying a foundation for further regional research.

A key component of the project is documenting past and ongoing collaborations with local and international stakeholders, including the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), the British Council, and SEEU. This documentation will showcase innovative approaches, such as light painting techniques, that have been used to raise awareness and engage the community.

Further, to better connect scientific evidence with policy-making, the project will conduct comprehensive stakeholder mapping in North Macedonia. This will identify key actors, including policymakers, urban planners, industry representatives, and affected communities, offering insights into their roles and contributions to air quality management.

This project reflects the strong partnership between SEEU and the University of Birmingham, built on shared goals of advancing research and addressing societal challenges. Through this initiative, both institutions aim to empower local communities, strengthen the capacity of researchers, and provide actionable insights for policymakers to combat air pollution effectively.