She holds a Joint European Master’s Degree in Comparative Local Development from the University of Trento, the University of Regensburg, and Corvinus University in Budapest. Pursuing her primary vocation, a BSc in Electrical Engineering, for several years she worked in the broadcasting industry. For over eighteen years, she has worked as a manager and consultant for international and local development programs. She is one of the leading experts in the country and the region on issues of corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship, and the author of several researchpapers and publications in this field. Nikica is President of the National Council for Development of Volunteerism, President of the Local Advisory Group for the TACSO Project, and Deputy Member of the National Coordinating Body for CSR. Internationally, as a contact person of the Macedonian network, she represents the Global Compact Local Networks from Eastern Europe in the GC LN Advisory Group. Nikica is serving on the Board of several Macedonian non-profit organisations. In her free time, she likes to travel. Her philanthropic causes are animal rights, the promotion of democracy, and human rights, as well as all non-profit organisations she directly cooperates with. Contact Nikica at nikicak@konekt.org.mk
He is a postgraduate in political studies in the framework of the TEMPUS Master program in European institutions and policies. From his current and previous work experiences in the Secretariat for European Affairs and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) Macedonia, he drives his interest in initiatives related to the improvement of the legislation and its application. Viktor had his first experience in the Macedonian civil society organisation in Konekt. He is engaged in activities related to corporate philanthropy and international initiatives for corporate social responsibility. Despite the commitment to his master’s thesis and working in Konekt, Viktor finds time to devote to art. Contact Viktor at viktorm@konekt.org.mk
She is a political scientist and a master’s student in the TEMPUS program in European Institutions and Policies. Even during her studies, she balances the need for education and work, paid and volunteer, in the private, civil, and state sectors. With more than 10 years of working experience in the civil society sector and in international organisations (NDI and CARE) as a program and financial collaborator, she has gained knowledge of project cycle management and advocacy in various fields, as well as financial reporting for various donors. She has been a supporter of Konekt’s work for a long time and is finally part of the team that has been inspiring her inner philanthropist for years. In Konekt, she expands the areas of work, which include, among other things, preventing money laundering and financing terrorism in non-profit organisations. She dedicates her free time to many hobbies and interests that include Argentine tango, sewing, gastronomy, and travelling. Contact Irina at irinahm@konekt.org.mk
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Faculty of Law’’Justinianus Primus” at the Ss. “Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje. Since his faculty days, he has had experience in the media sector and has worked as a journalist and TV host on the Macedonian National Television. A new professional challenge for him today is to gain skills in the civil society sector as part of Konekt’s team. In his spare time, he enjoys reading books, travelling, going on weekend trips in nature, and spending quality time with family and friends. Send a message to Nikola at nikolat@konekt.org.mk
Gjorge is a graduate economist, has been part-time employed by the association since 2025, and heads the administration and finance department. He has many years of experience in management positions, managing fund finances in the civil sector. During his engagement in the civil sector, he also served as the coordinator of an economic program for a period. He participated in research on women and unemployment, as well as on the position of women on the labour market, in cooperation with the Confederation of Trade Unions of North Macedonia. He comes from the private sector, where he is regularly employed, but civic activism is both a human and professional challenge for him. Write to Gjorge at gjorgej@konekt.org.mk.
Katerina Hadji-Miceva Evans (temporarily without the right to vote) is the Executive Director of the European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and, as one of the leading expert,s is a consultant and researcher in the field of policy and law reforms dedicated to civil society development. For more than 16 years, she has been supporting governments and civil society from Europe and globally, offering her expertise in creating a favourable legal framework for civil society, philanthropy and creating mechanisms to strengthen civic and public sector ties. mechanisms for cooperation between governments and civil society; participation of civil society in policy-making and law; legal framework for volunteering, and others. She is the author of numerous research papers and analyses. She is a member of the Council of Europe’s Expert Council on Civil Society Organisations, the OSCE/ODIHR panel on freedom of assembly and other bodies. katerina@ecnl.org
Kristina Hadzhi-Vasileva, MA, is a Co-Owner and CEO of Strategic Development Consulting. She holds a Master’s degree in Gender and Ethnic Studies from the University of Greenwich, London. Christina has been involved in the development, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs and projects for over 12 years. She has gained extensive experience and has worked in various civic organisations and donor institutions. She has worked with local authorities and civil society organisations and has managed programs and projects in the areas of good governance and decentralisation, gender equality and the strengthening of civil society and local economic development. Since 2007, within Strategic Development Consulting, she has managed the Community Forums program that focuses on promoting tools for civic participation in the decision-making process at the local level and increasing the participation of women and different ethnic groups.
Kristina is a member of the Association of Business Women in Macedonia and a long-time friend of the Cuba Libre cocktail. She is the wife of Philip and the mother of Damian. kristina@sdc.com.mk
Maria Todorova has more than fifteen years of experience in the development and civil service sectors, working on projects within USAID, UN, EU and DfID. Todorova holds a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of St. Constantine. He holds a PhD in English Language and Literature from Hong Kong Baptist University, where he currently works as an associate researcher. He has written and published a number of research texts addressing the role of interpreters in peace processes and international organisations, as well as the intersection of peace studies and literature. Todorova is a member of the Executive Board of the International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies. todorova@hkbu.edu.hk
Goran Buldioski is the Programme Director of the Open Society Think Tank and the Director of the Open Society Initiative for Europe. His work focuses on democratic transitions in Eastern Europe, policy development on social and political issues, and the role of civil society in Europe. Before joining the Open Society Foundation, he worked for the Council of Europe, the Centre for International Cooperation of North Macedonia and the National Youth Council of North Macedonia. His articles and scholarly papers address issues of think tanks, policy development from relevant research and democratic transition and have been published in Politico, EurAktiv, EU Observer, E! Sharp Magazine, LSE-UNDP Development and transition Newsletter, The Turkish Policy Quarterly and at Western Balkans Security Observer. He is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Buldioski holds a master’s degree in public policy from Central European University and organisational behaviour from George Washington University. goran.buldioski@gmail.com
She holds a Joint European Master’s Degree in Comparative Local Development from the University of Trento, the University of Regensburg, and Corvinus University in Budapest. Pursuing her primary vocation, a BSc in Electrical Engineering, for several years she worked in the broadcasting industry. For over eighteen years, she has worked as a manager and consultant for international and local development programs. She is one of the leading experts in the country and the region on issues of corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship, and the author of several research papers and publications in this field. Nikica is President of the National Council for Development of Volunteerism, President of the Local Advisory Group for the TACSO Project, and Deputy Member of the National Coordinating Body for CSR. Internationally, as a contact person of the Macedonian network, she represents the Global Compact Local Networks from Eastern Europe in the GC LN Advisory Group. Nikica is serving on the Board of several Macedonian non-profit organisations. In her free time, she likes to travel. Her philanthropic causes are animal rights, the promotion of democracy, and human rights as well as all non-profit organisations she directly cooperates with. Contact Nikica at nikicak@konekt.org.mk
