USAID/MACEDONIA JUDICIAL STRENGTHENING PROJECT MONTHLY REPORT: MAY 2012

The project identified relevant professional associations and civil society organizations willing and able to advocate for judicial reform. Three legal professional associations (LPAs) were selected for capacity-building assistance: the Macedonian Judges Association (MJA), the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA), and the Court Administration Association (CAA). The Center for Institutional Development (CIRa) conducted a performance organizational assessment of the three selected organizations to identify performance gaps and recommend training and technical assistance packages. The assessment included a description of the organizational performance assessment process, CIRa's findings, and a capacity-building plan for each organization. The JSP staff discussed the assessment report and action plan with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and made tentative plans to proceed to phase III, which will include activities to enhance the capacity of the selected organizations. The project continued to engage LPAs and CSOs, including those not selected for targeted capacity-building training. The initial assessment of LPAs and CSOs demonstrated that these organizations have significant strengths but need capacity strengthening in limited areas. The JSP informed each partner LPA and CSO of the availability of grant funding and offered technical assistance in completing grant applications. The Coalition All for Fair Trials (CAFfT) requested assistance and JSP and Home Office staff assisted in reviewing the grant application and making recommendations. The JSP also plans to offer extensive training on grant applications for European Union (EU) Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds. In April, the COP, DCOP, and the project's court administration coordinator met with Zoran Janakiev, president of the Macedonian Institute of Integration, regarding training for LPAs and CSOs in applying for EU IPA funds. The trainings will instruct the LPAs and CSOs on identifying available grants and grant writing, a key to sustainability. The Macedonian Judges Association (MJA) was selected for capacity-building assistance after the completion of Phase I of the assessment conducted by CIRa. CIRa conducted a performance assessment workshop for the MJA to assist in determining the need for JSP assistance. The CIRa report recommends that the MJA receive assistance and training in various areas, including developing membership base strengthening strategies, provision of effective and efficient services, media and public relations strategies, and advocacy and lobbying. The Court Administration Association (CAA) is a relatively new organization with approximately 1,200 members, comprised of court employees. After the initial CIRa assessment, the CAA was chosen as one of the three organizations in need of and worthy of assistance to strengthen and build capacity. The leadership supports the association's mission to protect court administrative staff, their rights and interests, and strives to increase professionalism and efficiency of court administrative staff and wishes to strengthen the capacity of its branch offices.