Good (or improved) governance is a prerequisite for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and for the development of the country. Good governance is a broad concept that could be defined as ‘a political and institutional climate in which human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law are guaranteed and where resources and means are managed in a transparent and accountable manner’. Good governance thus deals with both political and financial/economic issues.
The Netherlands Embassy’s support in the field of Good Governance focuses on four areas:
Public Finance ManagementFor several years, the Netherlands has been, in close co-operation with the World Bank, involved in the field of Good Public Finance Governance. The main activities are a Trust Fund at the World Bank to support the Public Sector Management Adjustment Program and PDPL (Program matic Development Policy Loan). Furthermore, the Netherlands has been providing macro support to Macedonia for several years, including € 7 million provided in 2008.. This support has been and will remain subject to the progress made in the public sector reforms and sound macro economic policies.
The strategic objectives in the field of Good Public Finance Governance are:
· To contribute to a better and more transparent management of public finances.
· To contribute to Macedonia’s sound financial and economic policies.
To contribute to a well functioning Ministry of Finance, focused on EU accession.
Main activities
Title | Description activity goals | Project period |
Twinning between the Directorate-General of Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands and the Macedonian Customs Administration | Provide technical assistance in the area of inward processing, simplified procedures, risk analysis, transit, origin of goods, etc. | 2005 - 2009 |
Twinning between the Dutch Court of Audit and the MacedonianState Audit Office | Provide technical assistance to the State Audit Office in the field of auditing, human resource management, IT, etc | 2005 – 2008 |
| Revenue Administration Reform Project (implemented by the IMF and the Dutch Ministry of -Finance | Provide assistance in improving the capacity of Macedonia’s revenue administration at promoting voluntary compliance, providing services to businesses and individuals, and increasing the productivity of tax officers | 2006-2009 |
| PDPL Trust Fund | Provide assistance in promoting economic growth and job creation through reforms aimed at improvement of the investment climate and reforms aiming at strengthening governance an efficiency in the public sector. Specifically, the project will help strengthen capacities within different public and GoM agencies to implement the required reforms | 2006-2009 |
Technical assistance by
the Dutch Ministry of
Finance to the Macedonian
Ministry of Finance | Provide assistance to the Ministry of Finance in
several areas, specifically debt management | 2006- |
EU CARDS Twinning project –
Strengthening Public Internal
Financial Control (implemented
by the Dutch Ministry of Finance)
| Further development of the Public Internal Financial
Control system (PIFC) in Macedonia in accordance
with the Acquis (Chapter 32) and strengthening of the
administrative capacity for financial management and
control and internal audit. | 2007-2009 |
Co-operation between the
Dutch and Macedonian
Ministry of Finance under the
MATRA programme | Peer to peer co-operation between experts
from the Dutch and Macedonian Ministry of
Finance in the field of improving the budget
process and revenue forecasting. | 2008- |
Possible MATRA Pre-Accession
Programme (MPAP) on
Strengthening Public Financial
Internal Control (implemented
by the Dutch Ministry
of Finance )
| Follow-up on the support for the PIFC in order
to further develop the procedures and establish
(institutional) capacity to have an EU-proof financial
system within the government.
| 2009-2010 |
Possible MATRA Pre-Accession Programme (MPAP) on Strengthening the capacities of the State Audit Office (implemented by the Netherlands Court of Audit ) | Technical assistance to the State Audit Office to build and strengthen its capacity in order to be capable to fulfil its role in implementing and enforcing the acquis communitaire (chapter 32) | 2009-2010 |
Contact person: Mrs. Arlinda Idrizi, Advisor Financial Affairs, e-mail:
arlinda.idrizi@minbuza.nl
Internet links
The Macedonian Ministry of Finance
The Netherlands Ministry of Finance
World Bank in Macedonia
IMF in Macedonia
Decentralisation
Decentralisation is one of the priorities in the implementation process of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. The Netherlands supports the decentralisation process in Macedonia with a project that is implemented by VNG International, the International Co-operation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities. Furthermore, the Netherlands contributes to a World Bank programme aiming at the development of local communities via interventions in the areas of culture, youth and (social) infrastructure.
Within the framework of the Embassy’s education programme, DAI (Development Alternatives, Inc) is implementing the Municipal Management of Macedonian Schools programme, supporting municipalities in their efforts to take up their new responsibilities in the field of education management.
Main activities
Title | Description activity goals | Project period |
| Community Development Project | Strengthening social cohesion, service delivery and public sector management at the local level; Stimulating socio-economic development by using the cultural assets of communities; Supporting personal development of young community members from different backgrounds. Implemented by World Bank. | 2004-2006 |
LOPAD II | Provide twinning support to ZELS, and support to a number of Macedonian municipalities in the areas of human resource development, local economic development and financial management | 2005-2007 |
| Municipal Management of Macedonian Schools Programme (MMMS) | Intensive technical assistance to 8 municipalities with respect to their new competences regarding education management, followed by training to all Macedonian municipalities and the publication of a guidebook. | 2006-2007 |
Contact persons
Ms. Maaike Fekkes, Development Co-operation/Political Affairs, e-mail: maaike.fekkes@minbuza.nl
Ms. Makedonka Trajkovska, Advisor Development Co-operation, e-mail: makedonka.trajkovska@minbuza.nl
Internet links
VNG International
ZELS
Rule of Law
The Netherlands focuses on two themes in the area of the Rule of Law: police reform (via OSCE’s Police Development Unit, project ended in summer 2005) and judicial reforms (in project identification phase). Past support also included the reconstruction of police stations and assistance to the victims of trafficking by supporting the activities of a Transit Shelter Centre.
Contact persons
Mr. Martijn Lucassen Development Co-operation/Political Affairs, e-mail: martijn.lucassen@minbuza.nl
Ms. Makedonka Trajkovska, Advisor Development Co-operation, e-mail: makedonka.trajkovska @minbuza.nl
Interethnic Relations and Stability
Good inter-ethnic relations and lasting stability are essential for Macedonia’s development and for the success of its reform processes. They are therefore consistently mainstreamed in all activities presently implemented or planned. However, since certain groups (f.i. former combatants, media, university students) and events (elections, referenda) could potentially have a negative impact on interethnic relations and the stability in the country, the Netherlands Embassy also supports initiatives specifically targeting these groups and events.
Main activities
Title | Description activity goals | Project period |
Re-socialisation of Ex-Combatants in Macedonia (MCIC) | Prevent social exclusion of ex-combatants (ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian); Improve their skills for access to the labour market; provide psycho-social assistance; Increase the capacities of their associations. | 2005 – 2006 |
2006-2007 Programme of Citizen Association MOST | Support to the programme activities of the civil association MOST, including local non-partisan election monitoring | 2006-2007 |
For activities related to universities and students see the part on education.
Contact persons
Mr. Martijn Lucassen, Development Co-operation/Political Affairs, e-mail: martijn.lucassen@minbuza.nl
Ms. Makedonka Trajkovska, Advisor for Development Co-operation, e-mail: makedonka.trajkovska @minbuza.nl
Internet links
Macedonian Centre for International Co-operation, MCIC
MOST
Other organisations receiving Dutch support:
Press Now
Search for Common Ground Macedonia
IKV, Inter Ethnic Project Gostivar, Inter Ethnic Project Kumanovo
