Blagica Eftimova is an ecosystem facilitator within the Swiss Entrepreneurship program, a program coordinator at Startup Macedonia, and a coordinator for youth projects. Blagica is highly creative with diverse experience working with startups, NGOs, program coordination, implementation, and event organization. She was part of Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in the Western Balkans, a long-term project implemented by UNFPA Albania and RYCO. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Stronger Together - Ethnicity Peacebuilding (STEP)

The program educated 22 participants, aged 18-25, from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, about the concepts of intercultural learning and human rights, with a focus on peacebuilding. The multi-day program covered intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution, youth participation and concepts of peace. By the end of the program, participants were able to use intercultural dialogue to support breaking stereotypes and promote tolerance, acceptance, and value of diversity in support of peacebuilding processes. Please view Blagica's project videos on discrimination here:

• Stronger Together – Ethnicity Peacebuilding (STEP)| Facebook
• Project STEP - Stereotypes for MKD and ALB ethnicity| Facebook
• Project STEP - Stereotypes for MKD ethnicity| Facebook
• Another short story about the ethnic stereotypes existing for Roma people| Facebook

"The impact is huge, because the prism of how you look at people of different nationalities changes." -Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience

Blagica participated in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time: Peace and Justice, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City, WorldBoston, Georgia Council for International Visitors, Global Ties Detroit, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, Global Minnesota, San Diego Diplomacy Council, Tulsa Global Alliance, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, and World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.

Blagica's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "To meet so many people who are making an impact across the globe in one place is extraordinary. I am extremely happy to be an IVLP participant."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Los Angeles. CA; San Diego. CA; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Louisville, KY; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; New York City, NY; Tulsa, OK; Philadelphia, PA

"IVLP motivates me to work twice as hard and give back to the community. Simply amazing!"- Blagica Eftimova

Country: North Macedonia

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