As representatives of the UGD, Prof. Dr. Marija Gogova Samonikov from the Faculty of Economics, Prof. Dr. Natasha Miteva from the Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics and Prof. Dr. Valentina Velkovska-Trajanovska from the Academy of Music obtained a certificate for trainers within the framework of the Changemaker Ambassador program of ACE²-EU.
The training “Train the Trainers” took place from 6 to 8 July 2026 in Santarem, Portugal. It was organized within the framework of the Changemaker Ambassador program under the ACE²-EU Alliance, and the training was hosted by the Polytechnic Institute of Santarem and the Latvian Academy of Culture.
The training was intended for academic and administrative staff from partner universities in the Alliance, with the aim of developing competencies for leading processes of positive change in higher education and preparing trainers who will implement the Changemaker Ambassador program in their home institutions.
During the three-day program, participants worked on developing leadership, communication and facilitation skills through contemporary approaches such as Dialogue Method, Theory of Change and systems thinking. Through practical workshops and interactive activities, they were introduced to methodologies that enable the creation of an inclusive academic environment, fostering constructive dialogue and developing initiatives with social impact. Special emphasis was placed on the Dialogue Method, which is a powerful tool for building trust, active listening, understanding different perspectives and jointly creating solutions.
With the successful completion of the training, the representatives of the UGD acquired certificates and competencies for the implementation of future activities of the Changemaker Ambassador Programme at the University “Goce Delcev” – Stip. Over the next year, they will be actively involved in organizing and implementing the program with students and employees, contributing to the development of leadership, active citizenship, cooperation and a culture of dialogue in the academic community.
The participation of UGD in this program represents a significant step in strengthening international cooperation within the ACE²-EU Alliance, as well as in creating an academic environment that encourages innovation, social responsibility, and positive change.
