Institute of Communication Studies

The Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) is a non-profit scientific research organization specializing in journalism, media, public relations, political, environmental and corporate communication.

Environmental communication is a key priority for ICS. Applying a combination of theory and practice, primarily in media and communication, ICS supports and encourages stakeholders to introduce and implement better environment policies through evidence-based participation and communication. ICS raises public awareness and designs communication strategies about the significance of preserving biodiversity, sustainable development and improving the environment. ICS works with CSOs, civic initiatives and public institutions to pursue green reforms and to empower citizens to become active guardians of the environment.

Key Projects

ICS leads the EU project „Encouraging behavioral changes of citizens for improving waste management practice in the Prespa Region“ (2025-2027) which aims to design, implement and evaluate a public awareness program to improve knowledge and promote behavior change among citizens and stakeholders regarding waste management in the Prespa Region. Web: https://presparazbudise.mk/

ICS is a partner in the HORIZON 2020 project “Urban approach to accelerating nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse - UPSURGE” (2020-2026), which focuses on testing nature-based solutions in EU cities, with the aim of sharing good practices. Web: https://www.upsurge-project.eu

ICS was partner of the EU project Integrative Strengthening of Seismic Risk Awareness (ISRA) (2022-2024), which aim is to raise the awareness of institutions, health authorities, schools and the local community in the border region of Macedonia, Albania and Greece about the risk of earthquakes and the secondary risk of soil erosion.

ICS has implemented the EU project "Shaping Environmental Policy through Local Action" (2020–2022) to empower CSOs and young people to pursue environment policy changes in their communities through public campaigning.

Campaigns

ICS has conducted nationwide Advocacy and Lobbying Campaign "Clear it Up" on water protection and natural resources management issues (2021) and the public interest campaign "Don’t ignore! React!" on issues of sustainable cities, healthy environment and climate change (2019).

Environmental journalism

ICS actively informs and engages the public on environment issues through its environmental online platform Doma (Home). The purpose of Doma is to research, analyze, inform, and educate about the protection of the environment and biodiversity, to instigate debate and motivate the citizens to be actively involved, and to put pressure on the institutions for the purpose of problem solving. Several journalism stories and documentary of Doma were awarded for investigative and innovative journalism by domestic and foreign organisations.