Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

The principles of equality and non-discrimination are basic elements of the international legal framework concerning the human rights. These rights focus on protection of human rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups and socially excluded individuals. Hence it is necessary for every state to establish institutional mechanisms providing effective defense of human rights.

Although Republic of Macedonia has ratified most of the international legal documents, the main problems regarding discrimination remain as it is considered that there is high spread intolerance on several levels, underdeveloped civil society sector for fighting against discrimination, lack of legal framework and strong institutions, lack of monitoring activities and their analysis in regard to non-discrimination.

However, more specific steps both from the civil society organizations and the state have been undertaken in 2007 and 2008. Dozen civil society organizations, which are also leading organizations in the area of human rights, have joined into informal coalition in order to jointly emphasize the need for protection against discrimination. The state has also initiated the adoption of anti-discrimination act and met the requests of the civil society organizations.

In order to build clear strategy and legislation it is necessary to have strong organizations and institutions ready to undertake specific activities. Empowered civic activists and civil servants is one of the conditions for prevention and protection against discrimination.

The overall objective of the project is further development of enabling environment providing equal opportunities for all people i.e. non-discrimination in Macedonia. The project purpose is capacity building of civil society organizations and all state institutions, for joint action in the promotion of equal opportunities and anti-discrimination. Target group is the civil society organizations and representatives of the state administration. The target area is the Republic of Macedonia.

Expected results of the project are: developed institutions on equality issues; improved capacities of institutions and their mutual cooperation; enhanced capacities of civil society organizations members of the anti-discrimination coalition, establishing mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on discrimination and use of mechanisms for its prevention. The project will include several activities: training, study visit, analyses and reports. The project foresees two anti-discrimination training sessions. The first one will be basic anti-discrimination training for the civil servants in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, while the second will be for the members of the National Coordinative Body. In addition, a study visit will be organized for the working group drafting the anti-discrimination law, report on the state of discrimination will be prepared as well as analysis on international standards and practices regarding the anti-discriminatory legislation, public debate will be opened on the forthcoming law and publication will be prepared on the new model of protection against discrimination. NGO “Mesecina” will be fully responsible for the delivery and organization of two training sessions, debates and thematic forum. At the end of the project period, it will submit report to MCIC.

The implementation period is August 28, 2009 – June 30, 2010. The total costs of the project amount to MKD 2,651,680. MCIC’s contribution is MKD 910,000.

The assumptions affecting the realization of project results are: interest for cooperation of civil society organizations and interest for strengthening the capacities of organizations and institutions.

The activities will be implemented in coordination of the involved civil society organizations, most of all the secretariat of the “Macedonia without Discrimination” coalition. MCIC is consultation with the involved organizations will be responsible for the decision making and project implementation. The project is very complex and it involves heterogeneous beneficiaries, i.e. representatives of all sectors in the society.