There is Space for Everyone on our Team

Skopje, 20 November 2025 – Today, on World Children’s Day, the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Sport, Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, Football Federation of Macedonia and UNICEF marked the beginning of a campaign “One Team for Every Child – Zero Discrimination”. 

The initiative aims to promote fair play, inclusion and respect for every child – with special focus on girls, Roma children and children with disabilities.

“We are united in our care for children and young people. And that is a good thing, because only together can we achieve our goal – to have healthy generations equipped with quality knowledge. Education is the right way to build sporting values. Through curricular and extracurricular activities, we lay the foundations for a healthy sports ethic, for respecting diversity, and for encouraging the participation of all children – girls, Roma children and children with disabilities,” said Vesna Janevska, Minister of Education and Science.

She emphasized that the campaign is an opportunity to deepen these topics within the curriculum, and to use the extended school day - which the Ministry advocates for – to organize extracurricular activities that build a culture of fair play and inclusion.

“The Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination is very pleased to join this initiative, and we thank our partners from FFM, the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Education for their readiness to carry out this type of campaign. We are also extremely grateful for the support from the UNICEF Office, which is essential to ensure a systematic approach to protecting children from discrimination in sport,” said Dušan Tomšić, President of the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. “Together, we can and must create an environment in which every child feels safe, welcomed and encouraged to participate. There is no place for prejudice or stereotypes in football – only for respect, fair play and equality.”

At the event, children and young athletes came together with footballers and partners for an open panel discussion where national team players shared their experiences of discrimination in sport.

“We are here to show that diversity is a strength and that there is room for everyone on our team. A team where there is no place for discrimination, hate speech, or exclusion. A team where everyone has the right to dream and to succeed,” said Leonid Jandreoski, Secretary General of the Football Federation of Macedonia.

“Whether based on ethnicity, gender, disability or socioeconomic background, discrimination limits learning, wellbeing and lifelong opportunities. When there is fair play, solidarity and respect, the impact can be transformative. All of us can be part of this change, and we count on children and young people to lead the way,” said Lesley Miller, UNICEF Representative. 

She called on young athletes to treat others as they would like to be treated and to speak up against discrimination; on coaches and parents to lead by example and enforce zero-tolerance for discrimination; and on policymakers to ensure that every child can play sport without discrimination and expand inclusive programmes in schools, clubs and communities.

During the event, children and national team footballers co-created the junior-league pledge against discrimination “One Team for Every Child”. The pledge will be shared with all clubs in the country, calling on young athletes will read the pledge before matches and at training sessions.  The pledge will serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering a culture of fair play, respect, and solidarity in sport and of speaking up whenever they witness injustice.

Throughout the campaign, schools and sports clubs will be supported to facilitate guided discussion helping children recognize stereotypes, understand the impact of discrimination and learn how to report harmful behaviour.

During the campaign – from 20 November 2025 to 1 March 2026 – partners will promote the message that there is space for everyone on our team.