Portfolio

Project title: FOSTERING A CULTURE OF LOCAL GIVING TROUGH SUPPORT OF LOCAL WOMEN INITIATIVES

Duration: 1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024

Sources of funding: Global Fund for Community Foundation (GFCF)

Main objectives:

  • To support the autonomous public engagement of the rural women with resources and-know how for planning and implementation of participatory community civic initiatives.
  • To develop and exchange an effective community centered model for promotion of local culture of giving based on collaborative civic actions for mobilization of local resources in favour of the women’s priority needs.
  • To establish cooperation and exchange with relevant national and international organizations/networks of grant makers in advocating changes in the development aid practices

Project title: GENDER DIMENSION OF POLICIES IN FOCUS – STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE IN THE POST-COVID PERIOD

Duration: 16 months (01/05/2021 – 31/08/2022)

Sources of funding: Civica Mobilitas the Swiss Agency Development and Cooperation project that is implemented by NIRAS from Denmark, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) and the FCG Swedish Development AB (FCG Sweden)

Implementing partner organizations: The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje and the Association Radika – DE Debar 

Overall objective: Contributing to the post-pandemic social recovery through enhanced civic advocacy for gender equality focused on tailored approaches of the central and local governments to strengthen women’s resilience as the most vulnerable category of citizens, with a particular focus on the ethnically and socially marginalized categories

Specific оbjective: Creating alliances in the form of platforms for coordination of organizations that will advocate gender-sensitive socio-economic policies in conditions of post-social recovery, with intersectional involvement of the ethnically and socially marginalized women.

Project results:

  • Assessment of the socio-economic needs of women and civil society organizations working on gender equality issues in a post-Covid context, relying on studies by UN Women, NDI, as well as official statistics indicating a disproportionate economic and social impact on the female population and public policy documents. 
  • To create new policy models for gender issues as part of the priorities in creating socio-economic policies adapted to the post-pandemic context, with a focus on women as a policy category understood in a way that is inclusive of all modalities of gender positioning.
  • To develop a model for strengthening civic / women alliances (platforms) for advocacy of socio-economic policies at the local level in the context of post-Covid social recovery, and with intersectional involvement of the ethnically and socially marginalized. 

Project title: ACTIVE WOMEN, ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENTS (AWAG) III

Duration: 36 months (01/01/2021 – 31/12/2023)

Sources of funding: Kvinna Till Kvinna Foundation 

Overall objective: Improved women’s influence on the policy planning and decision making

Specific objectives:

  • Supporting the sustainability of the outreach women empowerment approach as a regular programming framework of local organizations regardless of the thematic area (participation, economic status, violence, etc);
  • Further development of the organizational/management capacities of local women organizations, with flexible core financial support they will be able to maintain continuity of operations and more effectively use the resources obtained from other sources while keeping the focus on the community work;
  • Building horizontal alliances between women’s organizations and women from the communities for exchange and cooperation, mutual support and solidarity advocacy of women’s civic participation and gender responsive policies and budgets in institutions at local and national level;
  • Continuous monitoring and the collected overview data on the progress in implementation of the gender equality legal commitments to gender mainstreaming with primary focus on efficiency of implementation of the new Gender Equality Law expected for adoption in 2021.

Project results:

  • Strengthened advocacy capacities of 5 local women NGOs (Women’s Civic Initiative Sveti Nikole, Organization of Women – Strumica and Association Radika De – Debar, Association for Advancement of the Status of Women in Macedonia „Women’s Action“ – Radovis and Humanitarian Association „Majka“ – Kumanovo);
  • Strengthened advocacy input into national policy debate on the gender equality priorities and gender mainstreaming

Project title: Strengthening women grass-root organizing

Duration: 24 months (June 2020 – June 2022)

Sources of funding: UN Women (In the framework of the UN Women project “Promoting Gender Responsive Polices and Budgets: Towards Transparent, Inclusive and Accountable Governance in the Republic of North Macedonia”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – Sida.)

Implementing partner organizations: WCI „Klea“-Bitola; Women Civic Initiative-Sveti Nikole; Radika De-Debar; Women’s Forum-Tetovo; „Biovita“-Kavadarci; „Women’s Lobby“-Demir Kapija; „Vizija“-Kavadraci; „Raj“-Rosoman; „Women’s Solidarity“-Resen.

Overall objective: Meaningful participation of women in the local self-governments programing and budgeting 

Specific project objectives:

  • Local women civil society organizations strengthen their advocacy capacities with expanded field presence as well as support networks among rural women.  
  • Constructive policy advocacy input towards inclusive and gender responsive local governance developed and provided by the activated community women in front of LSG.

Project results:

  • 8 local women organizations financially and technically supported to implement community outreach activities (4 organizations to continue with implementation of advanced methodological frameworks for encouraging women involvement in the planning and decision making and 4 local organizations for piloting women community outreach actions in rural areas)
  • Community support networks established in 10 rural communities (Shipkovica, Bogovinje, Zelino, Bukovo, Novaci, Lozovo, Dorfulija, Velebrdo, Agievci/Prisojnica and Papradnik); Established mechanisms for continuous communication and information exchange among women on the responsiveness of the LSG to community women priorities assessed on the basis of provided standardized monitoring framework of local programing and budgeting processes. 
  • 1000 rural women targeted with community based informative, educational, consultative and mobilizing activities will have improved knowledge on LSG competences and basic budget literacy, established social interaction on local public issues of common interest, and contribute to drafting policy proposals to LSGs. 
  • 300 women directly involved in regular communication with LSG officials/elected representatives and other relevant actors, including in planning and implementation of public advocacy campaigning initiatives.  
  • At least 1 priority policy proposal provided by community women will be addressed (programed, budgeted or implemented) by local institutions in each municipality targeted with the project.
  • Broader public informed on the challenges in women everyday reality and potential solutions in reducing their exclusion, with creative multimedia visibility products

Project title: Establishing local women’s action support fund 

Duration: 01/01/2020– 31/12/2020

Funding source: The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation

Project objective:  Тo establish a Local Women’s Action Support Fund as a core program component of AZ for the purpose of providing tailor made support to local women’s organizations. 

Project result: Strengthened functionality and agility of 6 local women organizations, enabling them to maintain and advance their advocacy work through empowerment and direct involvement of marginalized communities of women.

Project title: Active women, accountable governments 2

Duration: 01/01/2019– 31/12/2020

Funding source: The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation

Project objective:  Improved women’s influence on the policy planning and decision making

Project results: Empowered local women for active and meaningful participation from 9 local communities – Dabile, Zleovo, Shein Maalo, Ergelija, Biljanovce, Pero Cico, Dolno Kosovrasti, Dolno Orizari, Brusnichko Lavchanska (450 women from 9 communities provide feedback on the priority challenges and assess LSG performance in the area of competences; 150 women from 9 local communities increase their knowledge on the relevance, mechanisms and benefits of participation in the LSG annual programming and budgeting); Strengthened advocacy capacities of 6 local women NGOs – Women’s Civic Initiative Sveti Nikole, Organization of Women Strumica and Radika De Debar, Association for Advancement of the Status of Women in Macedonia „Women’s Action“ from Radovis, Humanitarian Association „Majka“ from Kumanovo, and Women’s Civic Initiative „Klea“ from Bitola (900 women directly communicated by field outreach actions for information, mobilization and facilitating access to key local planning and decision making; 24 local community women have enhanced their practical mobilization and advocacy skills and Increased monitoring and assessment on the efficiency in implementing legal and policy commitments by the parliament, government and LSG.

 

Project title: Active women, accountable governments

Duration: 01/05– 31/12/2018 

Funding source: The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation

Objective: To improve women’s influence on the policy planning and decision making

Results: Empowered local women for active and meaningful participation from 3 local communities (Dobrejci; Tikvarci/Budulec and Mustafino); Strengthened advocacy capacities of 3 local women NGOs Women’s Initiative Sveti Nikole, Organization of Women Strumica and Radika De Debar and Increased monitoring and assessment on the efficiency in implementing legal and policy commitments by the parliament, government and LSG.

 

Project title: Social Accountability for Gender Equality

Duration: 01/01/ 2017 – 31/12/2019

Funding source: EU under the IPA for Civil Society and Media Support Programme 2015 

Implementers: ESE (main stakeholder) Akcija Zdruzhenska –Skopje (partner)

Aim: Establishment of a national network for promoting social accountability for gender equality. Objectives: Enhanced monitoring and assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of budget spending and services related to the active employment measures; Increased capacities of the local organizations and local communities for applying social accountability methodologies in gender equality advocacy; Increased public visibility of the transparency and accountability issue in public policy planning and budgeting.  

Outcomes: Mapping relevant local and national institutions, as well as localities and communities; Monitoring and analysis of at least two active employment programmes projected in the annual Operational Plans for active programmes and employment measures in two subsequent years (2017 and 2018); Community monitoring and evaluation of the selected active employment programmes, inter alia, from a gender perspective; 10 non-governmental organizations introduced and trained on the social accountability concept; Providing grants to 4 NGOs  for implementing gender equality advocacy activities based on the findings on social accountability; 1600 community members (women and men) empowered and actively involved in advocacy activities; Mentoring the selected non-governmental organizations in applying the social accountability methodology within the active employment programmes and measures; Organizing eight debates on policies (four per year) with local stakeholders in each of the selected communities; Organizing two national conferences (one per year); and Organizing two annual public campaigns.

Project title: Developing outreach strategies for increased involvement of women in local participatory process

Duration: December 2016 – June 2017

Source of funding: UN WOMEN

Implementers: Consortium of Strategic Development Consulting-Skopje and Akcija Zdruzhenska –Skopje

The overall objective: To develop a strategy and pilot a model for reaching out to women, empowering them to articulate their needs and priorities in municipal participatory processes and enhance their role and participation in local policy and decision making.

Results: 9 local CSO (One can! Skopje; CIW Sveti Nikole; Women’s Forum Tetovo; National Council for Gender Equality; Center for education and development-Tearce; ECHO Stip and Women’s Civic Initiative Klea Bitola) strengthened their capacities to identify and implement activities for encouraging women’s’ participation; Identified needs and potentials for civic engagement among 252 women from  local communities; 1700 local women from 10 municipalities (Aerodrom, Bitola, Bogovinje, Gjorche Petrov, Mavrovo and Rostushe, Sveti Nikole, Shtip, Strumica, Tetovo and the City of Skopje) directly involved in outreach actions aimed at  information, education and advocacy mobilization; CSOs equipped with practical tool (strategy) for working with women in local communities; Over 60.000 social media users sensitized on the topic of women’s participation in local decision-making.

Project title: Gender Inclusive Local Budget Advocacy 

Duration: 01/07/2016 – 31/03/2018 

Funding source: Civica Mobilitas, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation project, implemented by NIRAS from Denmark, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) from Macedonia and the Swedish Institute for Public Administration (SIPU) from Sweden 

Aim: Promoting the treatment of gender issues in programme and budget planning on the local level. 

Anticipated outcomes: Enhanced knowledge and skills of 4 women’s NGOs (One Can! – Skopje; Association for Advancement of the Status of Women in Macedonia „Women’s Action“ from Radovis; Organization of Women Vizija Kavadarci and Organization of women Strumica) for monitoring and advocacy for women’s specific needs within the LSG processes; Providing relevant information on the priority needs articulated specifically by the women in the community and their treatment in the budget processes; Promoting the relevance of gender equality in managing public finances among the women in the community and the local stakeholders.

Project title: Institutional Support

Duration: 01/07/2015 – 01/07/2016 

Source of funding: Global Fund for Women

The purpose to support the implementation of program activities of Akcija Zdruzhenska for 2015/2016 aimed at: Strengthening and support young women as future competent and influential activists through training and internship (involvement in planning and implementation of watch- dog, advocacy and campaigning activities); Preventing further marginalization of the gender equality and women’s rights issues, through maintaining the public debate based on collected and analyzed relevant data on the gap between the intentions of the adopted legislation and policies for gender equality and efforts and resources for its practical implementation, as well as needs articulated by women themselves; Increasing the competences of the institutional actors (especially gender equality machinery and administration) to implement the gender equality policy obligations through development and advocating practical implementing tools and training; and Strengthening organizational capacities of Akcija Zdruzhenska.

 

Project title: Gender Equality in Local Budgets

Duration: 21/01/2015 – 20/07/2016

Source of funding: Foundation Open Society Macedonia implementer of the USAID funded project for Civil Society

Objectives: Advancing the knowledge and skills of women NGOs for monitoring ad advocating for the specific needs of women in the budget processes of the local self-government units; Providing relevant information on the priority needs expressed precisely by the women in the community; Informing the public/women in the community about the relevance of gender equality in the public finance management

Results: Increased budget literacy of the local women organizations (Women’s Forum Tetovo; Women’s Civic Initiative Sveti Nikole; Women’s Civic Initiative „Klea“ from Bitola; Center for Women’s Rights Etika Gostivar; Radika De Debar and Humanitarian Association „Majka“ from Kumanovo); Developed and applied methodological tool for monitoring budget planning from a gender perspective; Provided public information for gender treatment within the budget processes; Developed recommendations for introducing gender in the budget processes; Conducted participatory research of the priority needs among women in the community; Identified priority issues for advocating within the budget planning process; Conducted campaign for stimulating the interest of the women in the community on issues related to public finances.

 

Project title: Equality and Gender Mainstreaming Across Borders

Duration: 24/11/2014 – 24/11/2016

Source of funding: European Union IPA Cross Border with Kosovo

Objectives: To establish a cross-border network of women organizations active in gender mainstreaming at local and regional level. Specific objectives of the action include: Empower local NGOs to forward the gender mainstreaming agenda; Raise organizational capacities of local women organizations in the project covered area; Technical assistance in exercising watchdog functions; Improve local and national media coverage of women-related topics.

Expected Results: Raised capacities of women organizations in the project area; Improved quality of data and effective dissemination of the same; Facilitated exchange of experiences and networking across borders to addressing common concerns; Produced practical tools for day-to-day operations such as the manual on gender policies at EU level and utilized at both central and local advocacy initiatives. In the long run, the action is expected to strengthen the women rights agenda both in Kosovo and Macedonia and reduce capacity differences between centered and periphery organizations.

Project title: Coalition for Budget Monitoring

Duration: 01/07/2014 – 01/07/2015

Source of funding: CEA implementers of European Union funded project

Objectives: Monitoring on transparency of the budget processes in LSG (Karpos, Centar, Aerodrom, Kisela Voda, Gorce Petrov, Petrovec, Ilinden, Cucer Sandevo)

Results: Provided relevant public information on the level of transparency of the LSG of the budget processes

Project title: Women’s Rights Advocacy- “Gender Equality is a Daily Need”

Duration: 01/09/2013 – 01/07/2014

Source of funding: Foundation Open Society Macedonia implementer of the USAID funded project for Civil Society

Objectives: To provide relevant information on the progress in the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in 2013; To encourage an increased scope of activities, especially of the local self-government units in accordance with the obligations stemming from the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men; To inform women from local communities on concrete services and measures to be provided by the local authorities in view of promoting gender equality

Results: Assessed and compared progress made by 25 public institutions, 85 municipalities and the City of Skopje in implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (2012-2013);Promoted results and recommendations from the monitoring in the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in 2012 to 13 local self government units and 30 NGOs; Developed and promoted information and educational tool for planning, monitoring and reporting on the scope and character of the activities of different actors from the local self-government units and advocating by local NGOs; Promoted concrete benefits from the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men among 30 000 women in 13 local communities in cooperation with 5 local women NGOs

Project title: Accountable Institutional Response-prerequisite for Gender Equality in Macedonia

Duration: 01/09/2012 – 30/06/2013

Source of funding: Foundation Open Society Macedonia implementer of the USAID funded project for Civil Society

Objectives: To obtain relevant information on the level of implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men within a year of its adoption; To develop guidelines for systematic monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the progress and results in the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men; To inform the broader public on the problems regarding gender inequality and unequal status of women, and the level of performance of governmental institutions in regards to the implementation of the gender equality legislation

Results: Assessed progress made by 25 public institutions, 85 municipalities and the City of Skopje in implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (2012-2013); Findings and recommendations published and distributed in a format of summary briefs (1000 copies in Macedonian and Albanian language); Enhanced debate on the need for development of standardized criteria for continuous monitoring, assessment and reporting on the activities undertaken towards the achievement of the purpose of the Law, among relevant stakeholders; Promoted creative communication tools for increased public presence of gender equality issues consisted of an informative campaign for marking the MONTH of women’s rights.

Project title: Assessment of the Presence of Gender in the Budgeting Processes in Macedonia

Duration: 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013

Source of funding: Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: To advocate a greater presence of gender issues in the planning and budgeting processes for the activities of the institutions on the central and local level

Results: Provided relevant public information regarding the scope and character of the activities undertaken for the purpose of achieving the results planned within the Strategy of Gender Responsive Budgeting on a central level and the municipality of Bitola; developed recommendations for promoting the planning and budgeting processes on the central and local level; and initiated debate between the NGO sector and the institutions on the need for increased gender presence in the budgeting processes.

Project title: Strengthening the Capacities of Local Governance and Local Activism Towards an Effective Gender Equality Policies Macedonia (co-aplicant)

Duration: 01/01/2012 – 31/12/2012

Source of funding: UN Women; United Nation Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of women

Objectives: GE advocates and civil society groups advocating for the rights of women have strengthened their capacities and voice to promote GE and advocate more effectively for holding local and national stakeholders accountable for implementation of GE commitments

Results: Increased competences of LSG representatives and local activists for ensuring equal opportunities and mainstreaming gender in policy making and budgeting at local level trough participatory mechanisms for inclusion of priorities and needs of women and men from the community (access to infrastructure, education, social protection, economic empowerment, participation in decision making) women’s self organization; Meaningful dialogue between LSG units and local activist networks developed by way of creating gender equality forums in municipalities) as workshop that should produce concrete results) in which NGO’s and informal grass-root groups work together with LSG representatives; Revised policies according to the identified needs and priorities at local level through participatory process.

Project title: Gender and Social Accountability: Monitoring the Implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Macedonia

Duration: 01/11/2011 – 31/10/2012

Source of funding: The Balkan Trust for Democracy and Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: To provide qualitative and quantitative assessment and analysis of the results of the implementation of Annual Operational Plans (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) and overall level of implementation of National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Macedonia; To propose recommendations to the responsible governmental institutions on the format and mechanisms for planning, coordination and reporting on the process of implementation of the strategic documents in the area of gender equality;

To promote monitoring role of civil society, relying on the concept of social accountability

Results: Prepared written proposal for the Strategy for Gender Equality 2012 related to gender mainstreaming, based on the findings and results of the monitoring and assessment of National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Macedonia; Proposed policy recommendations regarding priority goals, measures and indicators, integrated in the Strategy for Gender Equality and 4 year action plan for its implementation;

Enhanced exchange of experience and debate among key stakeholders around the importance of linking gender equality and accountability involving 100 representatives of NGO, local and national institutions, international organizations, students, experts and activists.

Project title: Evaluation of the Progress on the Implementation of the UN CEDAW Convention (co-aplicant)

Duration: 01/11/2011 – 31/10/2012

Source of funding: Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: To conduct assessment concerning the progress in implementation of the concerns and recommendation issued by the UN CEDAW Committee and to conduct legal analysis and assessment of the gender equality policy i.e. to assess their compliance with the standards foreseen with the CEDAW

Results: Progress assessment on the implementation of the Concerns and Recommendations contained in the CEDAW Committee Concluding Comments; Progress assessment of the legislation/policy compliance with CEDAW ; Shadow periodic report on the CEDAW prepared and published with contribution of 12 NGOs; Summary findings, key areas of concerns and recommendations from CEDAW Shadow Report presented to the Pre-session Working group of CEDAW Committee in New York in partnership with Association ESE

Project title: Advancing Gender Equality Legislation

Duration: 01/02/2011 – 31/12/2011

Source of funding: Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: Contribution in the development of the Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men (2012)

Results: Initial analysis and general suggestions and specific proposals prepared for the development of the draft of The Law for Equal Opportunities of Women and Men; Proposed provisions partially integrated in the final draft of the Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men; Additional comments and changes on the Draft of the Law on equal opportunities of Women and Men prepared, and submitted to the Parliament, and integrated in the amendments submitted by the Commission for Equal Opportunities for women and men

Project title: Mapping of the Women’s Groups in Macedonia

Duration: 01/09/2010 – 01/08/2011

Source of funding: Global Fund for Women

Objectives: To provide relevant data on the current financial situation/program focus of the women’s groups in Macedonia; Program implementation challenges and financial challenges of the women’s groups in Macedonia

Results: Aassessment of the current financial situation/program focus of the women’s groups in Macedonia, conducted among 25 women’s NGOs.

Project title: Monitoring and Evaluation on the Progress of Creation and Implementation of the Gender Equality Policies in Macedonia

Duration: 01/01/2010 – 31/12/2010

Source of funding: Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: To provide relevant data of the progress in the development and implementation of the gender equality policies in Macedonia and policy recommendations for its improvement to the national and international policy makers

Results: Periodical and annual monitoring report of the overall progress in implementation of the specific policies on gender equality, published

Project title: Integration of Gender Analysis in the Process on Creating of Policies for Social Inclusion

Duration: 01/01/2011 – 31/12/2011

Source of funding: Center for Institutional Development implementer of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded program CIVICA Mobilitas

Objectives: Promotion of gender analysis as tool for creating measures and implementation of policies in the area of social inclusion

Results: Published five policy analyses: I. “Gender analysis of the policy for social inclusion”; II “Open method of coordination (OMC) and gender in the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion”; III. “Gender issues and inclusion in the National Strategy for e-inclusion of Republic of Macedonia 2011-2014”; IV. “Between stigma and discrimination: Social exclusion of the persons exposed to HIV/AIDS” V – “Gender analysis in development concepts in social inclusion”

Project title: Effective Response for Gender Equality in the Local Self-Government in Macedonia

Duration: 01/01/2010 – 31/03/2011

Source of funding: The Balkan Trust for Democracy and Foundation Open Society Macedonia

Objectives: To increase the level of information and understanding of the key actors within the local government on the nature, purpose and the responsibilities derived from the Law on equal opportunities for women and men; To strengthen local women’s groups capacities for monitoring the practical implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men; To develop a tool for continuous assessment of the progress towards the enforcement of the Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men

Results: Strengthened knowledge and skills to perform a watch-dog role of the 11 NGOs based in 5 municipalities Prepared and promoted 7 monitoring reports on implementation of the Law for equal opportunities of women and man in 7 municipalities (Bitola, Debar, Kumanovo, Sveti Nikole, Lipkovo, Staro Nagoricane, Tetovo)

Project title: Campaign “Don’t Fall for It!”

Duration: 2009

Source of funding: Foundation Open Society Macedonia

The campaign has been developed to secure continuous reaction to a trend of an enhanced promotion of patriarchal norms and values, gender stereotypes and nationalism by the Macedonian government, aggressive attempts of the religious institutions and communities to affect various governmental policies, as well ad the most extreme cases of misogyny and hate speech directed towards women in the broadcast media.

 

 

Specific objectives of the campaign: To highlight the manipulation and disrespect of women’s rights behind the various governmental campaigns, legislation changes and policies; To promote active citizenship and encourage the civil society to challenge the discriminatory policies and aggressive promotion of traditional gender roles.

The activities of the campaign consist of the following set of activities: Letters/reactions to the media and whenever possible, participation in TV debates and provision of statements to printed media; Preparation and distribution of promotional materials containing various key messages on the issues of reproductive and sexual rights, stereotypes and limited choices imposed to women; Due to limited resources, except for the “traditional” materials such as posters and leaflets, the messages are printed on women’s underwear, shopping bags, aprons, t-shirts, distributed during various events organized within the campaign; Development of a petition containing recommendations targeting all the levels of governance (parliament including relevant committees, government, respective ministries, and collection of signatures in the capital and locally (in 6 towns) in cooperation with other NGO activists and individual volunteers; Organizing events (protests, art performances, seminars, etc); Creation of Web-site “Don’t Fall for It”(http://www.nenasednuvam.org/)containing the messages developed within the campaign as well as the texts of the relevant reactions of NGOs and individuals, different types of texts, and printed articles in the newspapers; Recording and distribution of photos and video-clips from the events to all available media including internet.

Project title: Contribution to the Process of Preparation of the EC 2009 Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia

Duration: 01/05-31/06/2009

Source of funding: Kwinna Till Kvinna and Self contribution

Objective: To provide a summary of the progress achieved in the area of gender equality in Republic of Macedonia, as well as recommendations as a formal contribution to the process of preparation of the EC 2009 Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia.

Results: Prepared written report; Recommendations developed and presented during regional consultations with international NGO organized by DG enlargement. AZ representative was present as a local partner of Kwinna Till Kvinna.

Project title: Prevention and Elimination of the Domestic Violence in Macedonia

Duration: 2009

Source of funding: Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality-ESE

AZ have been invited as a project partner by the Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality for Women in RM in the assessment of the existing capacities of the state and NGO shelters for DV victims in Macedonia, and analysis if standards for operation envisaged in the bylaw are implemented.

AZ was involved in: Development of the instruments; Data collection (distribution of questionnaires, and conducting interviews); Participation in finalization of the drafted text of the analysis.

Project title: Measuring the Costs of Domestic Violence Against Women in Macedonia

Duration: 2008

Source of funding: UNIFEM implemented by Economic Policy Research Institute, EPRI

Akcija Zdruzhenska in collaboration with Economic Policy Research Institute, EPRI was involved in the process of implementation of the project Measuring the Costs of Domestic Violence Against Women in R. Macedonia, financed by UNIFEM.

 

 

Objective: Estimation of the approximate costs of domestic violence against women in 2006, wherewith will be underlined not only the social but also the financial dimension of this community problem. The project was focused on measuring the costs of domestic violence paid by community through the health, social, police and judicial system, as well the costs of the victims and nongovernmental organizations that works on this problem.

 

Project title: Monitoring of the implementation the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in the Local Government

Duration: 01/01/2008 to 01/11/2009

Source of funding: FOSIM and IWP New York

Objective: To determine the degree of compliance with the provisions of the Law of equal opportunities for women and men (especially Article 16) which prescribe the responsibility and obligations of the local self-government units to adopt and implement measures for establishment of equal opportunities of women and men.

Results: Provided relevant information on the level of awareness of the local authorities regarding the Law and the issues addresses, the current status of implementation of the Law; Identified the positive and negative practices of the operationalization of the local machinery, and the quality of communication between the central and local governments regarding issues arising from the Law; Developed recommendations for improving the implementation of the Law; Increased level of information of the local authorities and women NGOs on their role and responsibility in promoting gender equality

Project title: Addressing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in EC Pre-accession Assistance to Macedonia

Duration: 01/09 – 31/12/2008

Source of funding: IGPN and Self contribution

Objectives: The action was implemented in the framework of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men – Advocacy for Change regional project of the International Gender Policy Network, aimed at reaffirming the gender equality and women’s empowerment as one of the key principles of the development aid of the European Commission.

Results: Advocacy Card for EC pre-accession assistance to Macedonia was prepared providing an overview of EU’s commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment, examination of the strategy document for Macedonia in the context of the EU’s commitments to gender equality, and an assessment of gender issues in EC’s assistance to Macedonia; Recommendations are discussed with the actors involved in various degrees in the preparation of the strategy document: the EU officials, national government and civil society organizations during consultative meeting.

Project title: Training for Trainers for Young Roma Activist in Macedonia

Duration: 2008 Source of funding: Foundation Open Society Macedonia

 
Objective: Development of a pool of several young Roma women, skilled to transfer specific knowledge and skills for advocating Roma women’s rights in Macedonia.

 

 

Results: After completion of the TOT 7 trainees gained knowledge for: Understanding of the process and the specific contexts of developing gender identity and social roles, and the consequences of this process on the unequal share of power in society; Understanding women’s position in society with special emphasis on Roma women; Knowledge on negotiating and advocacy on gender issues within the Roma civil sector and governmental institutions; Skills for training design and delivery on the topics in accordance to the participants needs.

Project title: Establishing Unified and Positive Practices in Combating Domestic Violence in Macedonia

Duration: 01/01/2006 to 31/05/2008

Source of funding: UNIFEM

Objectives: Unification of the civil justice system and standardization of the providers of direct services; Unification of the criminal justice system response towards domestic violence in RM

Results: Developed Procedure for proposing, issuing and continuation of the temporary protective measures, as well as procedure for implementation and reporting on the temporary protective measures; Bylaw named “Procedure for means of implementation and monitoring of the measures for protection of family and victims of DV undertaken by CSC and monitoring of the temporary protective measures”, prepared and enacted by Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs; Institutional forms and standards of operation for different service providers were developed based on an extensive and comprehensive process of their organizational and institutional capacities assessment. Bylaw prescribing required standards for establishment and operation of state shelters named as “Center for DV victims” was developed and enacted by the Ministry of labor and social affairs; Amendments to the Family Code and Law for Social Protection were developed and submitted. Adopted by the Parliament. Practical Guides for Civil Justice Actors as well as Criminal Justice Actors were published and distributed to relevant professionals; Exhausted list of needed evidence for criminal cases was developed; Amendments to Criminal Code developed; two national campaigns during 16 international days to combat VAW conducted. 

Project title: Local Women Initiatives Development and Support Program

Duration: 2005-2006

Source of funding: FOSIM and IWP New York

Local Women Initiatives Development and Support Program was developed as a pilot initiative with the purpose to mobilize and support the local activists to become active partner in the local policies development

Objectives: To strengthen women’s groups outside Skopje and encourage their collaboration and networking and increasing gender awareness of other relevant parties in the community (NGOs, local government officials, public institutions, representatives and wider public) and intensifying dialogue and cooperation concerning gender issues between women’s groups and other players in the community

Results: The groups achieved common agreement on the need to initiate the process of developing and adoption of strategies and plans of action for gender equality by local governments as a mutual priority in each of the communities. In addition, key common steps, as well as specific plans of action of the advocacy strategies were drafted by the groups. The needs for their further capacity building were also assessed; Based on a unified methodology, the groups were involved in collecting data from each of the communities (statistics, programs and projects and bylaws of the local governments). Based on the data, the gender analyses of local policies, identified as a priority common step were published for 5 LSG: Bitola, Veles, Sveti Nikole, Kumanovo and Debar. The focus areas of the analyses were: Local government, Political Life, Economy, Education, Social Life, Health and Culture. Governance and access to decision making will be a cross-cutting issue.

Project title: Establishing Positive Practices in Combating Domestic Violence in Macedonia

Duration: 2005

Source of funding: UNIFEM

Objectives: To draft protocols for DV interventions for law enforcements officers, health professionals, social workers and system of operation for NGO professionals; To increase awareness and upgrade the skills among law enforcement, health professionals, social workers and NGO professionals for appropriate intervention in cases of violence against women/DV; To stimulate relevant stakeholders in developing concept for multidisciplinary approach and referral system in addressing DV cases

Outcomes: Established mechanism for appropriate DV response of the governmental institutions; Established standards of operation of the non formal system of DV protection; Protocols printed and disseminated broadly to encourage awareness rising and Preliminary referral list printed together with the protocols in order to identify key actors in a new defined response system for DV.

Project title: WITT – Establishing WITT Focal Point in Macedonia

Duration: 2005

Source of funding: IIAV

Goals: To strengthen civil society the women’s movement, women’s originations and those that work towards gender equality, trough the use of ICTs; to increase the capacity of women’s organizations; Increasing women’s access to ICT opportunities and provide network opportunities; Increase the capacities of ICT scales for women and girls; to rise awareness on the benefits of ICTs

Results: Conducted Needs Assessment on the level of knowledge and use of ICT among women’s groups in Macedonia; Trained local women activists on ICT and gender issues