Association for action against violence and trafficking in human beings -Open Gate La Strada Macedonia

The Association for Action Against Violence and Human Trafficking Open Gate is an association that has been working for 20 years on prevention, education, assistance and support, as well as advocating victims of trafficking and sexual violence. As a leading organization in the region, it is part of the International Association La Strada, a European NGO network against human trafficking. The Open Gate Association represents victims of trafficking and has an active role in creating national policies.

Open Gate /La Strada Macedonia, is recognized as a prominent and relevant civil society actor in the country with extensive knowledge and experience on the issue of violence and human trafficking and has a proven record of advocating on the issue at national, regional and international level. Its expertise combines direct work with victims, national and international advocacy, policy monitoring and influencing policy changes. Open Gate has implemented over 150 projects that significantly contribute in the prevention from violence and trafficking in human beings in the country.
Open Gate put an accent on the activities for prevention and education as a basic condition for the protection of people at risk especially young people from violence, human trafficking and exploitation through implementation of preventive and educational activities among vulnerable populations in schools and other institutions improving their knowledge, skills and abilities.
Additionally, lots of attention is put on the reintegration services dedicated to overcome the traumas suffered and successful integration in to the environment. The reintegration program enables beneficiaries to fit into different environments such as family, school, peers environments etc.

Moreover main achievements of Open Gate in the past years were: Open Gate became a member of the National Commission for Combating Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration and the Subgroup for Trafficking in Children.; Opening of the shelter for victims of human trafficking, the first and only shelter available and assisted 250 victims; Operating of SOS Help line which offers, counselling and information related to violence, THV, GBV and exploitation; Provided advice and support to more than 4600 callers; since 2014 providing support and protection services for the most vulnerable refugees and migrants that transiting through Macedonia. More than 1,000 young people are directly involved in preventive activities annually and about 500 professionals are part of the capacity building activities of professionals.