Blendi Hodai

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Forum for Educational Change (FECH)

North Macedonia

Blendi Hodai is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Forum for Educational Change (FECH), an organization that transforms higher-education governance in North Macedonia. FECH's mission is to foster transparent, student-centered, and accountable universities by empowering young people to engage directly with public institutions to shape the educational landscape. Blendi spearheaded the creation of the National Student Body, the country’s first unified platform bringing together eight major student organizations to strengthen collective representation and national advocacy, leading to a shift in public debate around transparency thanks to their monitoring, public reports, and youth-driven advocacy. His work addresses systemic irregularities and promotes academic integrity to ensure schools serve as foundations for democratic values. Blendi has mobilized youth to challenge corruption and drive transparency within North Macedonia’s higher education system.