Call for Nominations: Recognition for Diaspora Contribution – 2026

Deadline for Submission of Nominations: March 20, 2026

Macedonia2025, in cooperation with the Office of the President of North Macedonia, announces a call for the submission of initiatives/nominations for recipients of the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members for the year 2026.

This initiative by Macedonia2025 is intended for individuals from the diaspora who, regardless of when or where they were born, remain an inseparable part of the national fabric of the Macedonian people. The recognition represents a symbolic acknowledgment of their selfless and continuous engagement and contributions to their homeland in various fields.

The recognitions are awarded for exceptional contributions and achievements in the areas of social and/or economic development, education, scientific research, and the arts, as well as for outstanding merits in social and humanitarian assistance or for contributions that have helped improve specific conditions in the country. The recognitions for the contribution of diaspora members are presented by the President of North Macedonia.The recognition is awarded in the form of a certificate and a commemorative plaque.A maximum of three recognitions may be awarded in one year.

Eligibility

Recipients of the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members are individuals of Macedonian origin who may, but are not required to, hold Macedonian citizenship.

Nomination Procedure

Initiatives or nominations for the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members must be submitted using the official nomination form published as part of this call.Members of the diaspora who have previously received other recognitions or awards presented by the President of North Macedonia may still be nominated for this recognition.

Nominations may be submitted in Macedonian and/or English.The nomination form can be downloaded in Macedonian and in English.

Criteria for Recognizing the Contribution of Diaspora Members

Macedonia2025 has established the following criteria for recognizing the contributions of members of the diaspora:

Philanthropy and Social Impact: The recipient has made a significant contribution to social causes, charitable organizations, and/or community development projects in North Macedonia.Business and Entrepreneurship: The recipient has achieved notable success as an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader, directly or indirectly contributing to the growth and development of the Macedonian economy.

Academic and Research Excellence: The recipient has demonstrated outstanding achievements in academic or research activities, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and skills in North Macedonia or in the wider region.Leadership and Advocacy: The recipient has demonstrated exceptional leadership or has actively advocated for Macedonian interests, promoting awareness and understanding of Macedonia and its people.

Arts and Culture: The recipient has promoted Macedonian arts and culture abroad or has contributed to the preservation and promotion of Macedonian cultural heritage.Humanitarian Work: The recipient has contributed to humanitarian efforts such as disaster relief, support for refugees, or initiatives promoting social justice, benefiting North Macedonia or other communities in need. Innovation and Technology: The recipient has introduced, or facilitated through partnerships, innovative technologies, products, or services that have enhanced the competitiveness and productivity of Macedonian businesses or organizations.

These criteria are not exhaustive, and additional areas may be considered depending on the nominations received. The fields in which recognitions are awarded represent different categories determined according to the specific contribution of the individual receiving the recognition (for example, Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members in the field of promoting education for socially vulnerable groups of students).

Submission of Nomination Proposals

Proposals for nominations may be submitted by Macedonian and foreign individuals, as well as by associations of citizens, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and other associations and institutions from the country and abroad. 

Proposals may also be submitted by officials who lead state institutions, as well as employees of those institutions.

All nominations must be submitted electronically to the following email address: diasporarecognition@macedonia2025.com.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee for the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members consists of a chairperson and members nominated and appointed by Macedonia2025 in cooperation and coordination with the Office of the President of North Macedonia. The committee includes distinguished individuals and representatives from state institutions and organizations, civil society organizations, academic and professional institutions, and other relevant bodies from North Macedonia and abroad. 

The committee includes permanent members representing Macedonia2025, the Office of the President, and/or a previous recipient of the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members.

Selection Procedure

Nominations for the recognition are submitted to the official email address of Macedonia2025: diasporarecognition@macedonia2025.com.

Macedonia2025 first conducts an administrative review of the submitted documentation and then forwards the nominations to the Selection Committee. The committee reviews the proposals and nominations in accordance with its rules of procedure and professional assessment, and during a formal session selects the recipients of the recognition. The committee may request additional information from those who submitted the nominations. Within 15 days of receiving the documentation for the nominated individuals from the organizer of the recognition, the committee submits its decision on the selected recipient(s). 

The decision to select a recipient of the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members is made by a simple majority vote. The decision on the selected recipient(s) is publicly announced at least 20 days before the award ceremony in order to allow sufficient time for the submission of any potential objections.

The recognitions are presented by the President of North Macedonia at a special ceremony, either during the Macedonia2025 Summit or at another event organized for that purpose in the country or abroad.

Deadline for Submitting Nominations for 2026

The deadline for submitting nomination proposals for the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members is March 20, 2026 (23:59). Nominations must be submitted electronically to the following email address: diasporarecognition@macedonia2025.com. Incomplete nominations and nominations submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

More information about the Recognition for Contribution of Diaspora Members and previous recipients is available at:
https://macedonia2025.com/award/recognition-for-diaspora-contribution/

Let us recognize and value those whose work serves the common good and the future of Macedonia.