Co-creation & innovation processes
Workshops, design labs, and facilitation that bring institutions, communities, and practitioners into the same problem-solving space.
we design and
deliver social
innovation.
SmartUp is a non-profit that co-creates and implements solutions to complex public challenges.
Supported by international development agencies and foundations — delivered with public institutions and communities across North Macedonia and the wider region.
More than a decade
of designing, testing
and implementing.
We work with institutions and partners to create practical solutions through custom-designed processes.
Our approach
Research, insight & strategy
Needs assessments, stakeholder mapping, policy analysis, and strategy inputs before implementation begins.
Digital platforms & tools
Learning platforms, civic tools, knowledge hubs, and campaign infrastructure built for programme use.
Capacity building & learning
Training, mentoring, toolkits, and routines that help the work continue after a project ends.
Pilots, implementation & scaling
Field delivery, monitoring and learning, iteration, and documentation from pilot through to scale.
Work
Featured work
Projects, tools, and resources developed with partners.
- 50+
- Projects implemented
- 100+
- Partners across sectors
- 20+
- Municipalities supported
- 5
- Countries in the region
- 10+
- Years of practice
Education
Promoting a Safe School Environment 2023-2026
SmartUp is delivering a three-year national programme (2023–2026), strengthening safe, inclusive learning in 50 schools. Through EduLab, SmartUp has trained teachers on child protection and digital skills, published 100+ resources, and reached 20,000+ students via classroom application, with nationwide webinars reaching 5,000+ education professionals.
Education
EDUINO: Collectively Improving Education Through Co-Creation and Innovation
SmartUp conceptualized and led EDUINO, North Macedonia's largest collaborative digital education platform, launched in March 2020 when COVID-19 closed schools. 2,000+ educators volunteered to record 4,700+ video lessons in Macedonian and Albanian, verified by Bureau for Development of Education advisors and broadcast nationally. SmartUp also ran 50+ webinars with 70,000+ live viewers and handed EDUINO's operation to the Bureau.
Public Sector Innovation
Researching Mechanisms for the Operationalization of the National Development Strategy
SmartUp supported the operationalisation of North Macedonia's National Development Strategy 2024–2044, testing co-creation and foresight mechanisms with a focus on migrant and refugee integration. Three participatory workshops brought together 93 public servants and stakeholders from government, business and civil society, who were trained in strategic foresight. The process produced 15 policy measures, including three policy pilots presented to the National Council.
Public Sector Innovation
City of Skopje Innovation Center – SkopjeLab (North Macedonia)
SkopjeLab, the City of Skopje Innovation Center, was the first public sector innovation centre founded within a public institution in the Balkans. Managed by SmartUp from July 2017 to February 2022, it brought city staff, citizens and partners together to redesign city services, open city data, co-design public spaces and build innovation skills in the administration.
Resources and platforms
Guide
Co-creating crowdfunding models
A handbook for municipalities on alternative financing for renewable energy projects.
Read the guide
Education
EduLab – Professional Development Platform
Self-paced professional development for educators, with on-demand courses, articles, and practical guides.
Visit platformFocus areas
Programme themes
Long-term focus areas across education, youth, climate, and public-sector innovation.
Public Sector Innovation
We help public institutions and municipalities use research, co-creation, and prototyping to improve services and policy implementation.
Education
We support learning systems, educators, and institutions to design more inclusive, practical, and innovation-ready education approaches.
Climate Change
We support climate-related programmes that connect public institutions, communities, and practical local action.
Youth
We create programmes and tools that help young people participate, build skills, and shape solutions in their communities.
Planning a programme, platform, or participatory process?
News & stories
Latest stories and perspectives from our programmes and partners.
Sep 24, 2026
Flood Resilience and Green Infrastructure: Lessons from Valencia
SmartUp and the Municipality of Kumanovo joined the IURC study visit to Valencia to explore how flood protection, green infrastructure and community engagement can strengthen local resilience.
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Sep 4, 2026
Sveti Nikole Opens Youth Climate Action Fund Call
SmartUp supports the Municipality of Sveti Nikole's call for youth-led climate projects, offering grants of $1,000–$5,000 to teams aged 15–24. The call closed on October 15, 2026.
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Feb 13, 2026
Scaling Climate Resilience: Insights from the 2026 Pathways2Resilience Summit in Budapest
The Pathways2Resilience (P2R) Summit, held from 10-12 February 2026 in Budapest, marked a pivotal milestone in the collective effort to advance the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change....
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