Children and Youth Co-create Campaign Against Cyberbullying

Skopje, 2 June 2025 – This weekend, over 30 children and young people from across the country gathered in Skopje for a two-day Mediathon – an intensive, youth-led event to design a national campaign against cyberbullying.

Organized by UNICEF and the Foundation Telekom for Macedonia, the Mediathon is part of their long-term partnership equipping children and youth with the tools, content, and leadership skills to tackle digital abuse in their communities.

UNICEF Representative Lesley Miller greeted the participants: “You - our young advocates, creators, thinkers - are the heartbeat of this movement. You understand the online space better than anyone else. That is why you are not just participants in this initiative, you are the leaders of it”.

UNICEF Representative also said that ending cyberbullying is not a one-time project – it is a growing movement led by children and youth determined to make digital spaces safer, more inclusive, and kinder for all.

Throughout the Mediathon, participants explored in teams with creative professionals, psychologists, and digital mentors what it means to take action online: how to report bullying, how to block hate, how to support peers, and how to protect their digital identity. The workshop sessions focused on developing campaign assets and clear calls-to-action aimed at promoting respectful online behavior and equipping children and youth with the knowledge to stand up to hate.

Lea Lipsha, the director of the Telekom Foundation for Macedonia, encouraged the participants to use digital tools creatively and to stand together against online hate.
"I believe that during this workshop, besides learning how to make a good reel, logo, or slogan, you will also learn that the most important thing is to support each other and to create creative and positive online communities. You are a generation that has the opportunity to make a real difference in the digital world. And we are here to give you the tools and motivation," said Lea Lipsha.

The campaign will be launched in the coming weeks with materials developed during the Mediathon, including videos, guides, and social media content. Children and youth who took part in the workshop will continue to work over the next two years as advocates in their communities together with the Macedonian Scout Association who will organize youth-led caravans and interactive events in 20 municipalities inspiring others to join the movement.

The initative is part of a two-year partnership between UNICEF and Telekom Foundation for Macedonia designed to roll out child-led, anti-bullying initiatives across the country, encouraging a strong peer-to-peer approach to end cyberbullying and online hate speech.