Toward better electoral cycles: Proposals for the quality improvement of electoral legislation
In less than a year and a half, the citizens of North Macedonia elected their representatives three times: the President, members of Parliament, and local authorities. What represented a democratic privilege for the electorate posed new challenges and legal battles for institutions and independent participants in the elections. For international observers, these elections again highlighted [...] Distinguishing between the political and the administrative: Proposals for a functional and professional senior civil service
The selection of senior managers in the state administration is currently carried out through different procedures and criteria set out in various sectoral laws, resulting in a fragmented and inconsistent appointment model. The adoption of a new Law on Senior Civil Service has been identified as a key measure under the Public Administration Reform Strategy [...] Reforms for Good Governance: How Can We Earn the “Rewards” from the Growth Plan?
In 2023, the European Union introduced the Growth Plan—a new strategic initiative and tool aimed at accelerating the European integration process of the Western Balkans countries. This plan, functioning as an incentive mechanism, offers candidate countries an easier opportunity to implement fundamental reforms and swiftly meet the political, economic, and legal criteria for EU membership, […]
IDSCS participated at policy forum “Anti-Corruption, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security” in Sofia
To discuss efforts for sustainable reform, the Regional Anti-Corruption Network “Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity” (SELDI) hosted the international policy forum “Anti-Corruption, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security” in Sofia on 9 November 2023. Dr. Ognian Shentov, Chairman of CSD, and Siri Beate Barry, Ambassador of Norway, greeted the participants at the forum and stressed the […]
Open questions about publicly funded election advertising
There are weaknesses in the regulation that are a potential risk for abuse and corruption, related to state advertising and paid political advertising in the media. For this purpose, the Institute for Democracy organized an event where the dangers of state and paid political advertising were discussed with a reference to the current legal measures […]
The Integrity of decision-making: systemic omissions in the Bechtel Enka case
The Institute for Democracy organized an event that focused on systemic failures related to the construction of the highways of corridors 8 and 10d by the consortium Bechtel and Enka. At the event, it was established that the entire procedure lacks detailed and in-depth checks of the entities that compete for public tenders. Such checks […]
Progress in combating corruption in North Macedonia in 2022
According to the latest report “Nations in Transition” by “Freedom House”, North Macedonia achieved democratic progress. With an index of 6.10 and 72nd place on the list according to the democracy index for 2022, North Macedonia remains in the “democracy with flaws” group and is one place higher than the previous ranking, when it came […]
Forms of corruption in higher education
Corruption in higher education exists in different forms and is practiced in different ways, but although students mostly recognize it, they still do not report it. This is the main conclusion of the event “Forms of corruption in higher education” organized by the Institute for Democracy, which discussed the forms of corruption in higher education […]
Capacity weaknesses in dealing with air pollution
Low environmental awareness, weak institutional capacities, bad practices and inadequate measures – all contributed to the environmental problems in North Macedonia. Despite the challenges, there are still ways in which the citizens can take action to help mitigate the effects of environmental corruption in Macedonia. By raising awareness of this issue and advocating for stronger […]