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As coal-fired power in the Pelagonia region is phased out, concern is growing among workers and people in local communities.
At the energy company REK Bitola, relations between management and trade union representatives have long been characterised by mistrust and uncertainty about what the transition will mean for jobs and livelihoods.
Together with the Palme Center, our partner organisation MKC Bitola created a forum for dialogue within the Local Economic and Social Councils (LESC). In 2025, representatives of company management and trade unions gathered for the first time for a joint discussion on the future energy transition.
The discussions provided a space for workers to openly voice their concerns about losing their jobs and facing reduced incomes, whilst company management acknowledged the need for better dialogue regarding the changes ahead. Experiences from other European coal regions demonstrated how a just transition can best be achieved through collaboration between companies, trade unions and the local community.
The meeting marked a clear breakthrough. The focus shifted from concerns and conflicts to how the transition can be managed collectively. As a next step, an international exchange of experiences with trade unions from other coal-mining regions in Europe is now being planned.
By establishing dialogue between workers, industry and civil society, this work contributes to a fairer climate transition in which people are given a say in their future.
Tent schools brought hope to children in GazaDuring the year, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened. Civilians have faced starvation as the Israeli government blocked emergency aid whilst the bombings continued.
In the midst of the war, the Palme Center’s partner Pyalara set up simple tent schools for children in Gaza. There, children could receive lessons in Arabic, English and mathematics – but also draw, sing and play.
For many, the schools provided a moment of safety in an otherwise dangerous and uncertain existence. In total, the initiative reached over 700 children aged between 7 and 13.
Thanks to the solidarity of many people in Sweden, support from the Palme Center’s fundraising campaign has been able to be channeled to civil society organisations helping the people of Gaza.
In addition to the tent schools, the organisation Democracy Workers Rights Center (DWRC), for example, has carried out initiatives during the year to create jobs and strengthen people’s ability to support themselves in the midst of the disaster, including through vocational training and short-term employment schemes.
From displacement to self-sufficiency in PalestineIn the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, a group of displaced women have moved from a state of insecurity and dependency to greater self-confidence and self-reliance.
Through leadership and vocational training, they have strengthened their skills, built networks and begun to formulate their own plans for the future. Over the course of the year, several of the women have been able to start contributing to their families’ livelihoods, create small businesses, and even educate university students in their vocational skills.
The initiative is run by the Palme Center’s partner HDIP, a civil society organisation working to empower marginalised women and young people through education, networking and local advocacy. With a clear grassroots foundation, the organisation mobilises local groups, helps them become active agents of change and to hold decision-makers accountable.
One of the participants is Fatima from Tulkarem.
After taking part in HDIP’s economic empowerment programme, she developed her skills through vocational training and started her own business. With support from the organisation she has also gone from being a participating student to becoming a mentor, educating university students herself.
Fatima’s journey shows how the combination of psychosocial support, education and economic empowerment can transform trauma into agency. Today, she is not only an entrepreneur – but a role model for other women in the camp and proof that even in the shadow of conflict, new opportunities can emerge.
More young people may run for election in PalestineIn Palestine, young people can vote from the age of 18, but until recently they were not allowed to candidate for local elections until they turned 25.
This contradiction excluded a large group of young people from political decision-making.
Through long-term advocacy work led by the youth organisation Pyalara, this has now been changed. In 2021, the organisation formed a coalition with over 80 civil society organisations, which launched a national campaign to lower the age limit.
The campaign combined public awareness-raising, dialogue with decision-makers and the mobilization of young people across the country. Young people themselves were at the heart of the campaign – they took part in debates with politicians, engaged local leaders and kept the issue alive even when election processes were postponed.
In November 2025, President Mahmoud Abbas finally issued a decree lowering the minimum age to run as candidate in local elections from 25 to 23.
The reform did not go all the way to meet the campaign’s original demand of 18, but nevertheless marks a clear victory for civil society’s advocacy work.
This change opens politics to a new generation. Young people will have greater opportunities to participate in local decision-making on issues such as education, employment, public services and local development. The reform also strengthens the confidence in peaceful democratic processes and demonstrates that organised young people can make real political change themselves.
Trade union campaign secured housing allowances in EswatiniIn Eswatini, many who work in the public sector lives in overcrowded and substandard housing with low income.
Following efforts of trade unions to improve these conditions, the government decided to introduce a housing allowance of E2000 per month for non-academic staff and other low-income earners in the public sector.
Behind this success is the national trade union confederation TUCOSWA, together with its affiliated unions ATUSWA, NAWUSHI, NAPSAWU and SNAT.
Through campaigns, negotiations and joint demands, they highlighted the workers’ difficult living conditions and called for better terms. They highlighted how many workers on the lowest pay scales are forced to live in simple huts or temporary accommodation, whilst the cost of living rises.
This grant represents an important step in a country where nearly 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. At the same time, this success demonstrates how strong trade union organisations can improve workers’ conditions and contribute to greater equality.
From conflict to dialogue on labour law in Bosnia and HerzegovinaWhen Bosnia and Herzegovina began reforming labour law linked to EU integration, political tensions in the country simultaneously increased.
The issue of the minimum wage in particular created conflict – making trust between authorities, trade unions and civil society weak.
In May 2025, the Palme Center, together with the Forum Left Initiative (FLI), took the initiative to bring together key stakeholders in Sarajevo. During a four-day programme, politicians, trade union representatives and civil society organisations met to discuss labour law, social dialogue and labour market reforms.
The dialogue made it possible to discuss concrete solutions regarding the minimum wage, labour inspections and how the reforms could be implemented more fairly.
The initiative proved to be particularly important for the decision to raise the minimum wage to 1000 KM in 2025.
By creating a forum for open dialogue, the initiative helped to strengthen trust between the prevailing parties and create better conditions for fair labour market reforms.
Female politicians forge new alliances in the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, local politics is often characterised by informal networks and personal dependencies, which makes it more difficult for women to gain influence.
The Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Institute of Politics and Governance (IPG), has established the so-called Women Power Hub initiative to strengthen women’s role in politics. In six local communities, female politicians and women’s organisations have begun to collaborate in new ways.
Previously, many worked in isolation, with limited resources and small personal networks. Through this new initiative, these women and organisations now meet regularly to formulate joint political priorities and plan advocacy work together.
IPG has brought together local decision-makers and civil society organisations for education, mentorship and exchanges of experience on gender equality issues and an inclusive governance.
As a result, more women are now acting in a more coordinated manner and with greater knowledge of political processes.
Cooperation on regulations of civil society in ZimbabweWhen a new law regulating the work of civil society organisations was passed in Zimbabwe, tensions between the government and civil society increased. Many organisations were concerned about how the law would affect their ability to work and represent vulnerable groups.
The Palme Center’s partner organisation, the independent think tank Zimbabwe Institute (ZI), then took the initiative to resume dialogue with the authorities.
By bringing organisations together in a joint coordination group, the voice of civil society was strengthened and common grounds could be met. ZI also organised national dialogue meetings where civil society met with government representatives and relevant authorities.
These discussions focused on the implications of the law and how the regulations could be designed to function more effectively in practice.
The process led to a joint effort to develop principles and proposals for regulations on how the law should be implemented. The government has also clarified registration processes and shown greater openness to civil society’s interests.
This work has helped to rebuild trust between civil society and the state. At the same time, it has created better conditions for organisations to continue working on issues such as democracy, gender equality and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Improved conditions for Albanian sanitation workersSanitation workers in Elbasan have long worked under poor conditions, with low wages and limited influence over their working conditions. Many of them belong to Roma and Egyptian minorities – and work in a sector that is often undervalued despite its crucial role in society.
Through organising and dialogue, workers, civil society organisations and trade union actors succeeded in improving conditions during 2025.
The organisation Youth Roma and Egyptian Movement (YREM) brought workers together to document the problems and formulate joint demands for fair wages and better compensation for night work. Ahead of May Day, YREM brought together Elbasan municipality, sanitation companies and trade unions to discuss the situation.
The dialogue led to concrete results – waste transport workers’ pay rose of 12.5 percent, along with a pledge of a 37.5 percent increase for day work and 50 percent for night work for street cleaners.
The agreement means better incomes for sanitation workers and marks an important step towards stronger social dialogue between workers, companies and local authorities.
Progressive summit puts Ukraine’s future on the agendaIn the midst of Russia’s full-scale war, the Palme Center’s partner SD Platform brought together European social democrats in Kyiv for the first EUkraine Summit – the largest gathering of progressive forces in Ukraine to date.
The summit marked an important step in the work to build a strong progressive movement – with the aim of forming a new political party.
The Palme Center co-organised the summit, and participated with a Swedish delegation.
By strengthening progressive forces, the collaboration helps to promote a political alternative, where reconstruction is not just about investment and infrastructure but also about democracy, social justice and human rights.
SD Platform is an important progressive voice in a political landscape long dominated by the centre and the right.
By bringing together civil society, trade unions, the public sector and academia, they are working towards a society built on freedom, justice and solidarity, and for a just reconstruction of Ukraine.
