Civicus Civil Society Index for Republic of Macedonia

After 15 years of transition a country moving towards citizen participation

Macedonian Center for International Cooperation announces the closing stages of the Civicus Civil Society Index (CSI) for the Republic of Macedonia.

Civil society in Macedonia is currently nearing the end of its period of stabilisation. Built around strong values, civil society, even if based on limited citizen’s support, is rooted within some social groups (women, disability, youth) and performing and playing important roles. Civil society should build on this success and seek to expand citizen’s participation in its initiatives. Here, civil society will have to respond to two crucial social concerns – combating poverty (unemployment) and corruption.

The CSI provided Macedonian civil society with an excellent opportunity for informed debate. The project has introduced and popularized the concept of civil society in Macedonia and has contributed towards the establishment of new networks and joint activities. The CSI also laid the foundations for a common strategy for the development of civil society in Macedonia, in which all stakeholders, civil society actors, government, donors and the public will hopefully play their part.

In December 2006 MCIC will print and publicly promote the Civicus Civil Society Index for the Republic of Macedonia.

At the moment, the Macedonian report “After 15 years of transition – a country moving towards citizen participation” can be accessed for free at www.mcms.org.mk; www.graganskisvet.org.mk in Macedonian and at www.mcic.org.mk and www.civicworld.org.mk in English language. Macedonian report and other 27 country reports, developed by the respective country partners of the CIVICUS CSI project, also can be accessed at www.civicus.org/new/CSI_country_reports.asp.

he Civil Society Index (CSI) is an action research project assessing the state of civil society in countries around the world, coordinated by the international civil society network CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. The goals of the project are to enhance the sustainability of civil society and to promote and strengthen its contribution to positive social change. In Macedonia, the CSI was coordinated by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC).

In 2007, CIVICUS and Kumarian Press will publish the 1st Global Report on the State of Civil Society, which will contain brief country chapters summarizing the key results of the CSI assessments in the participating countries.

For more information contact Ms. Daniela Stojanova, dsj@mcms.org.mk.

Civicus Civil Society Index for Republic of Macedonia (pdf - 1.8 MB).