North Macedonia participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 which took place on 20 November 2016, in Valletta, Malta, under the provisional reference of "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". The Macedonian broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) was responsible for organising their entry for the contest. Martija Stanojković was internally selected to represent North Macedonia with the song "Love Will Lead Our Way".

Bulgaria participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Their entrant was selected through the televised national selection "Decata na Bulgaria sa super", organised by the Bulgarian broadcaster Bulgarian National Television (BNT). Lidia Ganeva won the national selection and she got the right to represent Bulgaria in the contest. Ganeva performed the song "Magical Day " at the contest.