On June 11–12, 2025, in Veles, the Center for Environmental Democracy – FLOROZON successfully organized the Introductory Workshop for the Establishment of the National Anti-SLAPP Coalition. The two-day event brought together civil society representatives, journalists, activists, and legal professionals to address one of the most pressing threats to democracy and public participation — Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
The workshop served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among key national actors working to protect freedom of expression and civic engagement. Participants discussed SLAPP definitions, relevant EU regulations, Council of Europe (CoE) recommendations, and regional initiatives aimed at countering abusive legal actions designed to intimidate and silence those who speak out on issues of public concern.
Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized the growing impact of SLAPPs on activism, investigative journalism, and public discourse in North Macedonia. The workshop provided a shared understanding of the scale and nature of the problem and offered a foundation for coordinated advocacy and legal reform.
Key Outcomes of the Workshop
✔ Adoption of the Declaration for the establishment of the National Anti-SLAPP Coalition, marking the first formal step toward a unified national platform for action.
✔A joint call to initiate anti-SLAPP legislation, harmonized with EU directives and Council of Europe standards, to ensure legal safeguards for public participation.
✔ A proposal to form a national coordination body tasked with monitoring, documenting, and responding to SLAPP cases at the national level.
✔ Recognition of the urgent need for legal aid mechanisms and institutional protection for victims of SLAPPs, particularly for journalists, environmental defenders, and activists.
✔ Commitment to strengthening cooperation with CASE, the pan-European Coalition Against SLAPPs, to align national efforts with regional advocacy and exchange good practices.
The event concluded with a strong message of unity and determination: that civil society, media, and institutions must work together to defend democratic values and safeguard those who act in the public interest.
The workshop served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among key national actors working to protect freedom of expression and civic engagement. Participants discussed SLAPP definitions, relevant EU regulations, Council of Europe (CoE) recommendations, and regional initiatives aimed at countering abusive legal actions designed to intimidate and silence those who speak out on issues of public concern.
Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized the growing impact of SLAPPs on activism, investigative journalism, and public discourse in North Macedonia. The workshop provided a shared understanding of the scale and nature of the problem and offered a foundation for coordinated advocacy and legal reform.
Key Outcomes of the Workshop
✔ Adoption of the Declaration for the establishment of the National Anti-SLAPP Coalition, marking the first formal step toward a unified national platform for action.
✔A joint call to initiate anti-SLAPP legislation, harmonized with EU directives and Council of Europe standards, to ensure legal safeguards for public participation.
✔ A proposal to form a national coordination body tasked with monitoring, documenting, and responding to SLAPP cases at the national level.
✔ Recognition of the urgent need for legal aid mechanisms and institutional protection for victims of SLAPPs, particularly for journalists, environmental defenders, and activists.
✔ Commitment to strengthening cooperation with CASE, the pan-European Coalition Against SLAPPs, to align national efforts with regional advocacy and exchange good practices.
The event concluded with a strong message of unity and determination: that civil society, media, and institutions must work together to defend democratic values and safeguard those who act in the public interest.
