ABOUT US

The idea

The founders of the Association for Sport and Volunteering, inspired by their passion for sports and volunteering, founded the organization with the idea that sports can serve as a powerful tool and active citizenship to build a stronger, more connected society.
Through the power of sports and volunteerism, we empower communities, inspire youth, and promote inclusion, personal growth, and active citizenship to build a stronger, more connected society.

Nada Rochevska

Nada Rochevska

President of Association for Sport & Volunteering

Nada Rochevska is an international senior expert in sport volunteering, volunteer management systems, inclusion, and international cooperation. With more than ten years of experience across sport federations, Olympic and major international events, NGOs, and EU-funded projects, her work focuses on developing structured volunteer systems, policy-oriented approaches, and capacity-building models that strengthen the role of volunteering in sport and society.

She is the President of the Association for Sport & Volunteering (ASV) in North Macedonia and Founder of NR Sports Volunteering Solutions Consultancy (NR SVS), a Germany-based consultancy specializing in volunteer management systems, sport volunteering, inclusion, and international cooperation. Through her work, Nada supports organizations, federations, and institutions in moving from informal volunteering practices toward structured, sustainable, inclusive, and measurable volunteer management systems.

Her expertise covers volunteer policy development, recruitment and retention strategies, training frameworks, stakeholder coordination, volunteer legacy, inclusion of underrepresented groups, disability participation, senior skilled volunteering, corporate volunteering, and community engagement through sport.

Nada holds a Master of Science in Sport Management and is currently in the final stage of completing a Master of Arts in Olympic Studies at the German Sport University Cologne, with a strong focus on Olympic volunteering, sport volunteering, and the socio-cultural role of sport. A former national basketball player, she brings a lifelong understanding of teamwork, leadership, resilience, and the transformative value of sport.

Her professional portfolio includes volunteer management, sport operations, and system-development roles for major international sport events, including CEV EuroVolley 2023, the European Mountain Running Championship, the Wizz Air Skopje Marathon, and the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje. Her Olympic-related experience includes involvement with the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games, support roles connected to the Macedonian Olympic delegation for Rio 2016, engagement with the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020, and language services coordination connected to Tokyo 2020.

She has also contributed as a lecturer and speaker on sport volunteering, Olympic volunteering, inclusion, intercultural communication, and volunteer systems across Europe, Norway, Serbia, Germany, the USA, Japan, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and other global contexts.

Nada is actively engaged in EU and international cooperation projects. She serves as External Project Manager for the Macedonian Paralympic Committee on the Erasmus+ Sport project Volunteering for Inclusion and Empowerment with Sports (VIEWS), Project Manager for NR SVS on Upskilling Volunteer Managers in Sport (UVMIS), and External Volunteer Management Expert Associate on the ENGSO project CHANGE, Cooperation for Change Management and Innovation in Sports. She is also a collaborator with United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and a member of SHARE 2.0, Community of Practice, established by the European Commission to promote knowledge exchange among sport organizations and society on sport volunteering.

Through ASV, Nada is committed to developing stronger volunteer ecosystems, advancing inclusive sport policies, and promoting volunteering as a strategic tool for participation, social cohesion, and sustainable community development.

Lusija Knalijan Janeva

Lawyer, Head of Legal Deparment

Lusija Knalijan Janeva is a seasoned lawyer with over a decade of experience, having been in active legal practice since 2009. She graduated from the Justinian First Law Faculty at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, specializing in international law. Her studies provided her with a strong foundation in international legal principles, further enriched by hands-on experience during her time volunteering with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). There, she worked on practical cases in international humanitarian law, organized Moot Court Competitions, and participated in various projects that deepened her expertise in this field.

Before launching her legal career, Lusija gained valuable insight into international relations through her volunteer work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, specifically in the Diplomatic Academy and the Department for Bilateral Relations with Non-European Countries. This experience broadened her understanding of diplomacy and international collaboration, which continues to inform her work today.

After passing the bar exam in 2009, Lusija obtained her law license and has since built a successful practice focused on civil law, commercial law, and cases with international elements. Over the years, she has developed a reputation for delivering expert legal solutions, working closely with individuals, small businesses, and well-established firms.

Lusija is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals. Her law office has provided training and mentorship to numerous apprentices, offering them invaluable hands-on experience and guidance. She shares her knowledge generously, aiming to equip young lawyers with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their chosen fields.

With a career spanning many years and marked by dedication, expertise, and a commitment to mentorship, Lusija continues to contribute to the legal profession with professionalism and passion.

Lusija Knalijan Janeva

Angel Stamenkovski

Angel Stamenkovski

Head of Financing & Budgeting Department

Angel is responsible for project and financial management within the Association for Sports and Volunteering. He holds a law degree with a specialization in International Law and Diplomacy and has over 20 years of professional experience in international organizations, focusing on project and financial management.

His extensive experience working with various marginalized groups in society, providing assistance and supporting their aspirations for social inclusion, has taught him that the most challenging moments often precede success. Angel has attended numerous training programs focused on working with vulnerable groups and has participated in several conferences addressing the economic and social rights of refugees, as well as exploring long-term solutions to their challenges.

He also has professional experience with the International Red Cross, where he contributed to the organization’s mission by actively participating in the integration of the Exploring Humanitarian Law module into primary school curricula. Additionally, he played a significant role in the establishment and operations of the Youth Club of the Red Cross in Skopje, under the Macedonian Red Cross.

Angel was also part of the Center for Integration of Refugees, supported by the UNHCR Mission in Skopje, where he was responsible for project finance and budgeting, as well as direct engagement and activities with refugees. During the onset of the migrant crisis in 2015, he served on the management team at the Reception Camp in Gevgelija, overseeing the coordination and management of support activities within the camp.

Petar Shimlesha

Journalist, Media & PR Manager

Petar Shimlesha is a distinguished Macedonian journalist and producer with extensive experience in sports journalism and film production. Throughout his career, he has reported from over 12 World and European Handball Championships and covered 10 EHF Champions League Final Four tournaments, showcasing his dedication to sports journalism.

Shimlesha’s versatility extends to advertising, where he worked as a copywriter for Minimal Collective’s “Don’t Bet on Your Life” campaign, demonstrating his ability to craft compelling narratives across various media platforms.

His diverse experiences in journalism, film production, and advertising highlight his multifaceted talents and commitment to excellence in the media industry.

Petar Shimlesha

Anastasija Isijanovska

Anastasija Isijanovska

Project Assistant

A professional volleyball player and a dedicated student at the Faculty of Law in Skopje. Anastasia Isijanovska brings her passion for sport, volunteering, and youth engagement to her role as a Project Officer. With extensive experience in volunteering at high-profile events like the European Men’s Volleyball Championship and active participation in Erasmus+ programs, Anastasia is perfectly positioned to lead initiatives that empower young people and foster community connections.

In her role, Anastasia will focus on training and recruiting volunteers, ensuring they are well-prepared and motivated to contribute meaningfully. Her profound interest in youth development and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life make her an invaluable bridge to the youth world.

With a vibrant energy and a commitment to creating positive change, Anastasia is dedicated to building strong, inclusive teams that reflect the spirit of collaboration and growth. Her leadership will help drive the organization’s mission forward, inspiring the next generation to thrive through sport and volunteering.

Marin Rochevski

Project Assistant

I am a thoughtful and detail-oriented professional with experience across diverse industries, including telecommunications, logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing. As a deep thinker, I take time to analyze situations carefully, ensuring well-informed decisions. I excel at planning, organizing, and executing tasks, always communicating effectively with those around me. Researching is one of my key strengths, allowing me to gather insights and make strategic contributions. I thrive in team environments, offering consistent support and collaboration to achieve common goals. My background has honed my ability to adapt, connect with others, and contribute meaningfully to project and volunteer management efforts

Marin Rochevski