Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

The foundations for free activities of the civil society organizations are embedded in the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, the Law on Associations and Foundations. Although the law provides good basis for free activity of civil society organizations, it is necessary to update the provisions and to adjust them to the real needs of the civil society organizations and joining the positive European trends.

The enabling legal and fiscal framework is precondition for development of civil society with domestic support. The quality legislation and its continuous updating is a requirement for better functioning of civil society organizations, enabling them to utilize their capacities for the benefit of the society.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute for building an enabling environment and providing support for the civil society. The project purpose is to amend the basic legislation for activity of the civil society organizations through a participatory process.

The target group is comprised of the civil society organizations and representatives of the state administration. The target area covers the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, while the location is Skopje and other towns.

Expected results of the project are: coordination of the key stakeholders on the main novelties stipulated in the new Law on Associations and Foundations, developed new draft on the Law on Associations and Foundations, developed documents for easier application of the law and enhanced capacities of the responsible institutions.

The project will be implemented through the following activities:

• Meetings of the working group for development of new Law on Associations and Foundations: MCIC will participate and will support the meetings of the working group for development of the new law.
• Public debates on the draft law on Associations and Foundations: in order to provide participation and wide inclusion of the civil society organizations at least three public debates will be organized for the civil society organizations in Skopje and other towns in Republic of Macedonia.
• Workshops for the civil servants: two workshops will be organized; one for the civil servants responsible for registration of associations and foundations and the other one for the civil servants that will be responsible for granting the status of public benefit organization.
• Commentary to the law: for easier monitoring of the novelties in the Law, which will be necessary for the civil society organizations, but also the responsible civil servants, the public prosecutor’s office and the courts, a commentary will be developed for the Law on Associations and Foundations with annexes including the necessary documents.

The implementation period is June 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

The assumptions affecting the realization of project objectives are: readiness of the institutions for updating the legal framework for civil society organizations; dedication of the working group for timely preparation of the Law on Associations and Foundations; interest and will of the civil servants for participation in the workshops and active involvement of representatives of the civil society organizations.

MCIC will cooperate with the Ministry of Justice, as responsible institution for development of the new draft law as well as with the members of the working group established for this purpose. The public debates and workshops will be organized in cooperation with this Ministry and the Unit for cooperation with the non-governmental organizations. The public will be informed on the project activities through reports, press releases, meetings and posts on the MCIC’s web site, as well as the web sites of the Civic World, the Unit for cooperation with the non-governmental organizations and other relevant information channels.

MCIC is responsible for decision making and project implementation. For some of the activities, MCIC will jointly cooperate with the Ministry of Justice and the Unit for cooperation with the non-governmental organizations (e.g. dates and venues of the public debates; experts and facilitators, etc.).

The responsible officers in MCIC will prepare the reports for the donors and the MCIC Governance Board. The head of the Department on Civil Society and Democracy in MCIC will directly monitor the project realization.

The project is complex and it involves heterogeneous beneficiaries, while several organizations will implement it. The budget amounts to more than 10,000 EUR.

The risk associated with this project is the failure to adopt the law in the foreseen deadlines and the delayed adoption may affect the activities to be implemented after the passing of the law such as the workshops for the civil servants, the commentary to the law, etc. This would also hinder the realization of most of the project activities.

The project will be funded by the Evangelical Church Aid (Evangelische Zentraslstelle fur Entwicklungshilfe - EED).

The budget amounts to MKD 1,368,000.