Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

The success of the work of the civil society organizations depends to a great extent on the knowledge and interest of the wider public in the country. Particularly having in mind the fact that the civil society organizations advocate the interests of the citizens.

Moreover, the civil society organizations influence on number of elements in the society which foresees wider support and recognition from many societal sectors.

The general goal of the project was to create enabling environment and support to the further development of the civil society in Macedonia. The objective of the project aimed to examine the trust of citizens in the civil society organizations and the actors in civil society organizations.

The target group of the project were citizens of Republic of Macedonia: Direct beneficiaries were 6000 civil society organizations in Republic of Macedonia and other actors in the civil society. The target area is Republic of Macedonia. The project was implemented in Skopje, whereas part of the activities was conducted throughout the country.

The achieved result in the project is acquired data on the trust of citizens in the civil society organizations, i.e.: how many citizens are informed on the civil society; how citizens perceive the civil society and their role in it; and to what extent citizens believe that the civil society organizations advocate their interests.

The following activities were implemented in the project:

a) Terms of reference of the research

At the end of August and beginning of September 2008, the working group reviewed the terms of reference for the research made by MCIC in 2007 and made amendments and consolidation to the questionnaire in accordance with the requirements set by the Civil Society Index - CIVICUS.

b) Examination of the trust in the civil society
The examination was realized through oral survey on a national representative sample of 1600 people. For the purpose of the oral survey MCIC contracted the Institute for Sociological, Political and Judicial Research (ISPJR).

c) Research on the trust of civil society
The findings from the research with the analysis therefore were published in electronic form in 4 parts. The first two parts (general trust and trust in institutions and tolerance) were published in November this year, whereas the remaining parts (trust in churches and religious communities and trust, acquaintance with and stances on civil society organizations) were published in December this year, through press releases.

A presentations and debate on the findings was organized for the topics in the last part. The entire report was published electronically on 400 CDs and on the web site of MCIC in Macedonian, Albanian and English language.

The planned implementation period was from July 1st to December 30th 2008, whereas the activities were implemented before the deadline expired, i.e. December 15th 2008.

The assumptions which influenced on and contributed to achievement of the project results were: the public was interested to participate in the survey on trust in civil society; and civil society organizations were prepared to face the public opinion on the civil society.

The project information was submitted to all CPM members, as well as other key stakeholders in the country and abroad. The coordination was realized by electronic e-mails, as well as by phone and written notices, in accordance with the manner of communication with various actors. After the publishing of the part of the report from the research on the trust in civil society, a promotional event was organized. At the event, national and local electronic and written media will participate. Moreover, the Unit for Cooperation with the NGOs within the Government of Republic of Macedonia and other relevant officials from other institutions will participate as well. For the remaining parts from the research report which refer to the general trust and trust in institutions, tolerance and trust in churches and religious communities press releases were sent. Most of the press releases found their promotion in several electronic and written media, as well as statements from the authors were sought regarding the press releases.

MCIC was responsible for the project implementation.

The project was financed by EED and part of the included organizations in the research.

The budget amounts to 628.092 MKD.

Извршно резиме од проектот.