Final Program Performance Report

The program aimed to inform and educate civil society organizations (CSOs) and citizens on how to hold state institutions accountable, thereby contributing to increasing their integrity. The program's overall goal was to have a democratic Macedonia free of corruption. The program brought the following results: an in-depth analysis of the state of affairs and dynamics regarding corruption in all spheres of social life in Macedonia was conducted as part of the program. The Corruption Monitoring System (CMS) for measuring the actual level and trends in the spread of corruption in the country, as well as identifying related public attitudes and expectations, was implemented in 2014 and 2016. The findings from the CMS were presented in the two Corruption Assessment Reports (CARs) and were discussed on the Anti-Corruption Forums held in Skopje, in front of 100 representatives of state institutions, CSOs, and media. The 2016 CAR shows that perceptions on corruption remain unchanged compared to 2014, and corruption pressure levels and victimization have deteriorated. Corruption pressure by public officials and involvement by citizens registered an increase compared to the 2014 survey, and resistance to corruption is almost non-existent, i.e., 30.5% of citizens have been asked for a bribe, and 29.2% have given a bribe. Enhanced capacity of the civil society to fight against corruption is achieved. The capacity enhancement measures covered 78 participants in three different trainings on the methodology for CMS, as well as training on corruption identification and monitoring in general. On December 9, 2014, the Anti-Corruption CSO Platform was established as the non-formal network of 15 CSOs recognized in the field of anti-corruption. The work of the Platform was supported during the Program duration. The CSO Anti-Corruption Platform aims at proactive, dynamic, and qualified civil society which will play an important part in the national anti-corruption efforts. Developed mechanisms for civic monitoring of policies, measures, and reforms related to good governance and anti-corruption are mostly achieved. This measure included continuous monitoring of the openness of institutions and transparency of policy making processes, through the Government Mirror Monitoring. Internet monitoring included 366 draft laws published on the Unique Electronic Register of Legislation (ENER). The results from internet monitoring were presented in 100 weekly and 24 monthly newsletters and 8 quarterly reports. Two in-depth annual Government Mirror reports were published. The program also established a network of 15 CSOs recognized in the field of anti-corruption, which aims to play an important part in the national anti-corruption efforts. The program's activities were supported by the USAID, with a total amount of funding of $679,808 / $575,037.19. The program's implementation period was from June 26, 2013, to September 30, 2016.