| Project Detail |
Switzerland renews a multi-year support to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations in North Macedonia, to improve the inclusiveness of decision-making processes and increase the transparency of state institutions. The final phase (2023-2026) of this project aims to increase citizen support for civil society organizations, to enhance the capabilities of these organizations, and to diversify their funding base. To improve sustainability, the project implementation has been transferred to the national partner organization.
National and international law protect the fundamental liberties of association, assembly, and expression in North Macedonia. To start EU negotiations, the country is undergoing a difficult screening process of the functioning of the institutions and is facing a possible change of the Constitution. In such a polarized context, civil society’s role gains even more relevance in cocreating policies, monitoring of the work of the institutions and the quality of service provision. Nevertheless, state funds for CSOs remain an almost unrecognized source of revenue, awarded with little transparency and lack of predictability. Although the National Strategy for Cooperation with CSOs aims to improve the legal and institutional CSO environment, yet in 2022 no state funding for CSOs was available. The Government created a Council for Cooperation with Civil Society to enhance participation of the civil society in the decision-making processes. However, due to the cut of funding for CSOs the functioning of this Council remains challenged. The Government shows less openness for collaboration with civil society and the policy dialogue has become less inclusive of CSOs and citizens. Citizens interest in participation in social processes has slightly increased over the past years, yet their understanding and support for CSOs remains limited.
Objectives Social changes in North Macedonia are driven by a strong civil society, active citizens, and good cooperation with the authorities, resulting in expanded civic space, more sustainable CSOs and more transparent, accountable and socially inclusive governance at both the central and local level. |
