USAID/Macedonia Judicial Strengthening Project Monthly Report: November 2012

The project was implemented by Tetra Tech DPK under contract AID-165-C-12-00001, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project focused on strengthening advocacy and citizen participation in judicial sector reform, with a specific emphasis on improving the capacity of three professional associations: the Macedonian Judges Association (MJA), the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA), and the Court Administration Association (CAA). The project's goal was to enhance the capacity of these organizations to contribute to the rule-of-law area in Macedonia. The MJA received training on advocacy and lobbying, project planning, design, and implementation, as well as project cycle management. The training was conducted by Embra, a sub-contractor selected through a competitive process. The MJA also received support for a publication and an intern to support the association's daily work. The CAA received training on developing a new strategic plan, advocacy and lobbying, and support for a publication and an intern. The CAA's initial and follow-on assessment identified problems in the functioning of the association, including a lack of professional personnel and a non-existent administrative office. The project's support for the CAA aimed to address these issues and enhance the association's capacity. The MYLA received training on developing a new strategic plan and advocacy and lobbying. The MYLA also requested financial support for publishing a brochure to attract new members and fortify the participation of existing members. The project agreed to assume the cost of printing and offer technical assistance for the design and distribution of the brochure. In addition to the capacity-building activities, the project also planned a study tour for LPAs and CSOs to take place around March 2013. The study tour aimed to provide participants with an opportunity to learn how LPAs and CSOs function and support the judiciary, and to learn how to organize targeted advocacy campaigns, draft laws, and lobby for their enactment. The project prepared a Scope of Work (SOW) and Request for Proposal (RFP) for the study tour, which would be published in early December. The project's goal was to enhance the capacity of judicial sector professional associations and civil society organizations to contribute to the rule-of-law area in Macedonia. The project's activities aimed to improve the independence, efficiency, and consistency of the application of judicial policies and practices in Macedonia.