Healthy Options Project Skopje - HOPS

Context

Since the beginning in 1997, Healthy Options Project Skopje - HOPS is successfully implementing programs for reduction of drug related harm, prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases, as well as programs for social reintegration and re-socialisation targeting young people and vulnerable groups (drug users and their families and sex workers and their families) in Skopje, Macedonia.
Closely working with media, governmental and non-governmental organisations, HOPS is a NGO well recognised in the field of social, health and justice policies in Macedonia, as well as a NGO which strive to address the need for research as a base for development effective policies targeting socially marginalised communities. For that purpose, since 2011 the new “Centre for Education, Documentation and Research” (CEDR) became officially operational as part of HOPS. The intention of CEDR is to embrace experiences and knowledge of past researches implemented by HOPS and to transcend this knowledge to attract and motivate scientific community in Macedonia to contribute for better understanding of socially marginalized communities.
Until now HOPS has conducted and contributed in numerous researches targeting issues considering socially marginalised groups/communities such as HIV/AIDS, human rights, institutional capacities, drug use, sex work, young people, and education.
In 2011 HOPS started with implementation of community monitoring methodology
In 2012 HOPS started annual Summer School for Addictions intended for students and graduated young social workers, medical doctors, lawyers and security workers.
HOPS has held numerous trainings about socially marginalised communities, drug use, sex work, health, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, human rights, community organising, media tolerance.
In 2010 HOPS was the recipient of the 2010 international Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, presented by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (www.aidslaw.ca) and Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org).

Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/accountability

  • Every year we publish Annual Report on HOPS’s web site. 
  • Community is involved in project planning and implementation, and community approval is important for every next step considering its interests.
  • We implement research based policies to call to institutional responsibility, accountability and transparency. 
Website:
www.hops.org.mk
Area of Work:
Skopje
Contact Person:
Vlatko Dekov

Results and lessons

Community involvement in project’s planning and implementation, and community approval is key element successful implementation of projects considering its interests.