National Institution Institute and Museum – Bitola

The National Institution Institute and Museum – Bitola is one of the leading cultural heritage protection institutions in North Macedonia, bringing together the protection, research, and presentation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Based in Bitola, the institution has a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, ethnologists, historians, art historians, conservators, and museum professionals. With support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of North Macedonia, the Institute and Museum – Bitola carries out more than 50 national and international projects annually, promoting cultural heritage protection, museum education, accessibility, and active public engagement.

Within the RE-MIND project, the Institute and Museum – Bitola participates as a demonstration and pilot partner, contributing to the implementation and validation of the Mindful Museum Model. The institution actively participates in all project activities, supporting the development of educational resources, professional training, and interactive public-engagement initiatives. By applying mindfulness-based approaches in a museum context, the institution contributes to evaluating the model's effectiveness in fostering digital wellbeing, intergenerational dialogue, and socially responsible museum experiences.

With more than 90 years of continuous operation, the Museum has extensive experience in museum education, accessibility, cultural heritage interpretation, and international project management. The institution has more than two decades of experience developing and delivering educational programmes and more than a decade of dedicated work advancing accessibility for diverse target groups. Through inclusive exhibitions, innovative educational initiatives, and significant partnerships, the Institute and Museum – Bitola promotes equal access to cultural heritage, while contributing to the development of contemporary museum practice and active community engagement.

The Institute and Museum – Bitola carries out more than 50 projects annually in the fields of cultural heritage protection, museum interpretation, education, and accessibility. The institution manages several significant cultural heritage sites, including Heraclea Lyncestis, and plays a leading role in accessibility initiatives, the development of tactile exhibitions (presented internationally), and cooperation with numerous European partners. As an active member of several international museum networks, the Museum applies European standards in cultural heritage protection, inclusion, and sustainable cultural tourism.