ANNUAL REPORT MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Majakovski 2/4, 1000 Skopje

Transcription

1 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2

3 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Majakovski 2/4, 1000 Skopje JANUARY 1, 2016

4

5 ANNUAL REPORT СОДРЖИНА I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 5 II. ABOUT US...7 III. PROJECTS... 9 IV. THEMES Europeanisation/Democratisation Judiciary and Rule of Law EU Enlargement Competition Policy Regional Cooperation V. TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS Trainings - Network of CSOs for efficient active participation Mentorships - Network of CSOs for efficient active participation Workshops - Citizens for democratic reforms Trainings - USAID Civil Society Project Training and Mentoring - Center for Media Development Trainings FOSM Municipality Tailored to Citizens Needs Project Mentorships FOSM Municipality Tailored to Citizens Needs Project Trainings - Fundamental Rights - Fitting into the European Frame Others trainings and lectures...24 VI. EVENTS AND NETWORKING Events co/organized by MCET...26 a. #EUROTALK...26 b. Educational and Informative sessions...27 c. School for European Politics...27 d. Press briefings...27 e. Populism...28 f. Macedonia 2015: European reforms or an unfortunate new invention!?...28 g. The Economy and European Integration: How does Macedonia meet the indicators of the Strategy Southeast Europe h. Enlargement Agenda Achievements and challenges in Public Administration Reform...29 i. Support to Civil Society...30 j. Fundamental Rights Fitting into the European Frame...30 k. Good Governance Action Network...30 l. Network of CSOs for efficient active participation... 31

6 4 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING 2. Events co/organised by others a. EU-IN-BALKANS b. The New High-Level Accession Dialogue and the Priebe Report...32 c. Visit of Commissioner Hahn...32 d. TEPSA Pre-Presidency Conference...32 e. Briefing with the Venice Commission...33 f. E-Society...34 g. Magna Carta...34 h. Populism in the EU...34 i. Employment and Growth...34 j. Berlin Process...35 k. EU Integration...35 l. School for Policy Analysis...35 m. Meeting of Think-Tank Executive Directors...35 n. Western Balkan s Future in the EU...36 VII. ISSUES AND PUBLICATIONS...37 VIII. IN THE MEDIA The Quality of Jobs The Political Crisis Debating MCET in the international media Eurometer Macedonia s EU Accession Other MCET Projects IX. ABOUT US Governance Members The Team Partners and collaborators Donors...56 X. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW...57

7 ANNUAL REPORT I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE YEAR OF THE WORST POLITICAL CRISIS SINCE 2001 Last year was one of the toughest, most uncertain and most dramatic chapters in the history of Macedonia since its independence in When the year began the country was already in the aftermath of the Presidential and early Parliamentary Elections in 2014, the results of which were disputed by the opposition, while the Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia and its coalition partners declined their mandates as MPs and resigned. The crisis deepened and the recommendation to open accession negotiations made by the European Commission (EC) was under a very big question mark. Although in its Progress Report of 2014 the EC demanded urgent reforms in the areas that the biggest backslides were noted, such as the judiciary, rule of law and fundamental rights, media, elections, public administration reform, etc. Instead of a year of urgent action on the necessary reforms the year that followed was marked by the EC, renamed, Country Report 2015 as the year of the worst political crisis since Once the opposition started releasing the so-called political bombs (illegally wiretapped conversations of more than citizens) on February 9, 2015 the political crisis matured to a climax in June The published conversations, especially those among senior government officials, reveal numerous alleged cases of corruption related to procurement and purchase of property, election manipulations and pressures to the electorate, unlawful influence on the media and the judiciary, concealment of crimes, mounting court cases against political opponents, abuse of power and of the institutions, undue pressures on businessmen and so on. Some of the released recordings sparked mass and long lasting almost protests, especially in the period May-July 2015 including a two-month camp by the Platform Citizens of Macedonia staged in front of the Government of Macedonia. This atmosphere led to the resignations of two ministers in the Government (Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska and the Transport and Communications Minister Mile Janakievski) and the head of the secret service in May After these resignations, a negotiation process and strengthened political dialogue started under the auspices of the EU and the United States. This political crisis caused an energetic reaction by the EU and the US as key international actors. At the initiative of the European Commission in June 2015, the German expert and former EC High Level Official Reinhard Priebe, joint by a group of senior experts prepared a report on the most contentious issues in Macedonia and recommended a list of Urgent Reform Priorities. These documents contained details and thorough criticism of the judiciary, public administration, media freedom, elections, and parliamentary oversight of the secret service and the work of the independent bodies responsible for the control

8 6 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING of the executive. The so-called Priebe Report is the basis for the content of the Przino Accord adopted in June-July 2015 as a way out of the Macedonian political crisis. The accord meant instituting a transitional period and a transitional government where the opposition will have two ministers and three deputy ministers with special powers tasked with the organisation of fair and democratic elections on April 24, The agreement includes a plan to improve the work of the State Electoral Commission, the Agency for Audio-visual Services and the introduction of a Special Prosecutor to prosecute the cases stemming from the released and other wiretapped materials, as well as all cases related to the content of the talks. The Przino Accord and the Priebe Report continue to serve as reference points for the European Reform Agenda in the following years. This has been reaffirmed by the 2015 European Commission Country Report, while the recommendation to open accession negotiations has been conditioned with the implementation of the Accord and the conduction of free, fair and democratic elections in the country. In this difficult year the Macedonian Centre for European Training (MCET) as the leading think-tank on EU Affairs in the country proved to be the center of events and gave important contribution to the political dialogue, and overcoming of the crisis and bringing the country back on the European path. This year, 2016, MCET as well as Macedonia should expect no lesser challenges. This is the year that could prove as crucial for the future of both the organisation and Macedonia in the EU.

9 ANNUAL REPORT II. ABOUT US The Macedonian Center for European Training (MCET) is a non-profit, non-partizan, think-tank founded in September MCET is organized as an association of citizens, and it is has 23 members. MCET s members are Certified EU Trainers of InWEnt Bonn and the Institute for European Policy (Institut für Europäische Politik) in Berlin, Germany, and Certified Trainers on Public Policy Writing of the Local Government Initiative of the Open Society Institute in Budapest, Hungary, or professionals who contribute to Macedonia s EU Accession and the Europeanisation of Society. As the name of the organisation suggests, MCET was primarily an organization that worked as Training Institute with training for various target groups being the dominant working activity in the period Due to the quality of the trainings offered, as well as the innovative approach the organization was named as the first stop for information and training on EU Affairs (Centre of excellence for training in EU Affairs). In 2006, the organization began to develop component for political analysis, monitoring and advocacy, which was the first transformation. At that time MCET changed its focus hoping it would reduce the apparent lack of expertise in the country in the field of evidence based public policy in line with those of the EU. The primary goal of the organization at this stage was to monitor the development of the EU Enlargement Policy and the EU Accession Process of the Republic of Macedonia. The analytical and monitoring tools that the organization developed in this period are still part of the products of the organization, while civil society, the research and the international communities still treat them as second source of information and tools in their work. This second phase for MCET lasted from 2007 to 2012, and the majority of the activities were monitoring and advocacy for change. Finally, the second transformation of MCET begun in mid Within this phase the organisation established its research and analysis capacities and developed its own research facilities and products. At first, the organization determined its research topics, while with continuous monitoring of the ongoing debate it modified their scope and the scale of the research and then by developing its new products it managed to establish itself as the dominant think tank on EU Affairs in Macedonia and the region. Recently, some of MCET s donors and partners say that: the Macedonian Center for European Education is one of the most promising think-tanks in the Balkans. The organization sees itself as part of the European think-tank community, but also as a global catalyst for improving the policies, standards and capacities of governments, institutions and individuals. The Macedonian Center for European Training is supporting Macedonia s EU Accession and the European-

10 8 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING isation of society through the development of evidence based public policies, regional cooperation and advocacy for change, vocational education and training and consultancy. Since January 2014 the Macedonian Center for European Training is a member of EPIN - European Policy Institutes Network. Since its inception in 2002, MCET has delivered approximately 3,000 days of training for more than 10,000 representatives of public administration, the media, civil society organizations, judges and prosecutors, members of political parties, local administration, etc. MCET monitors Macedonia s EU Accession Process, while its research focuses on the political criteria, chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, and the use of EU funds. So far, the organization published a number of publications that are available in electronic form through its portal. MCET works also with the media in order to improve reporting on Macedonia s EU Accession Process and elaborates tools to help them understand that EU Accession is actually internal, and not foreign policy.

11 ANNUAL REPORT III. PROJECTS Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Institutional Grant Applicant Foundation Open Society - Macedonia 69, USD 69, USD Dates from-to January 2015 January 2016 Objectives and results of the action Main objective of the project is to support the accsession process of Macedonia in the Euroepan Union and europeization of the society through research,- monitoring, changes representaion and building capacites of the concerned for resources expolitation. Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Organizational Development Grant Applicant Open Society Foundation - Think Tank Fund EUR EUR Dates from-to September 2015 September 2017 The Think Tank Fund grant will hopefully assist MCET to contribute to filling in this gap and in creating higher standards in policy-research that will incite higher quality policy discussions on EU integration topics. Objectives and results of the action Objectives: 1) Contribute towards needs - driven policy making; 2) Increase the awareness and knowledge of the citizens, civil society and media in order to make the EU integration closer and clearer to these target groups. Results: MCET will build its capacity and will be producing a longitudinal comprehensive research study on European values (with a working title EUROM- ETER) which will be the pivotal analytical product of MCET serving other entities in the country (central and local government institutions, judiciary, political parties, CSOs, media interest groups etc.) as well as other institutions and bodies on the level of the EU.

12 10 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) EUROMETER Applicant Open Society Foundation - Think Tank Fund USD $ USD Dates from-to April 2013 April 2015 Objectives and results of the action Objectives: The main goal of this Core Support Grant is to help MCET implement its organizational strategy for the period which will ideally lead to organizational shift from mainly monitoring NGO towards a policy oriented thinktank. The central product delivered under this grant is the Eurometer research study which is based on the findings extracted through a set of methodological instruments such as public opinion survey, focus groups, expert surveys, and face to face interviews with various stakeholders. Results: EUROMETER is a set of longitudinal research studies that will focus on the aspects of the Europeanization such as the political culture, democratic and liberal values and language (behavioral and discursive levels of European standards adoption). It focuses on the aspects of the Europeanization such as the political culture, democratic values and language that have been neglected and/or underestimated by local think-tanks, academia and policy makers. Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Citizens for Democratic Reform Coordinator United States Agency for International Development (USAID) EUR EUR Dates from-to August 2015 August 2016 The general goal of the project is to increase the level of democracy in Macedonia my substantial use of the mechanisms of the EU for democratic transformation of the candidate countries. Objectives and results of the action The first specific objective is to enhance the involvement of civil society into the reform framework, by which EU facilitates the resolution of Macedonia s political crisis. The second specific objective is to improve the quality of the reforms framework by redesigning it in a way that will reflect the needs and interests of citizens for more democratic society.

13 ANNUAL REPORT Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Transfer of knowledge for EU policies for decrease of gaps between CSO in Skopje and other regions (TEUCSO) Coordinator Swiss Development Cooperation - Civica mobilitas EUR EUR Dates from-to August 2015 December 2016 Overall Objective: Contribution to strengthening the participation of civil society at local level in the creation of policies and in decision-making mechanisms. Objectives and results of the action Specific Objective: Civic engagement at the local level, practicing the EU values for positive social change in Macedonia through the Euro integration process in terms of Chapters 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights; 19 - Social Policy and Employment, and the 8 Competition Policy Results: R1) Increased capacity of 8 local CSOs from each NUTS 3 region through trainings and mentoring; R2) 8 local initiatives implemented in each regions in the thematic areas: (1) Judiciary and Fundamental Rights; (2) Social policy and employment, and (3) Competition policy; R3) Established platform of local CSOs to represent the EU values among constituents and stakeholders at local level; P4) Disseminated knowledge about EU values in relation to selected topics at local and national level. Project title Role in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Fundamental Rights in Macedonia - Fitting into the European Frame Applicant Foreign and Commonwealth Office - British Embassy in Macedonia EUR EUR Dates from-to July 2013 April 2015 Objectives: Awareness rising on the European Human Rights Protection System and its implications on the respective National System targeting legal practitioners, civil society organizations, youth and media. Objectives and results of the action Results: The project will contribute to awareness raising on the European Human Rights Protection System and its implications on the respective National System through an analysis of the Legal Framework at European and National level. It will further develop tools and training materials to strengthen the capacity of the targeted groups Civil Society, legal practitioners, youth and media, and will raise and strengthen the level of debate on issues relating to Human Rights protection and the Europeanization of the National System.

14 12 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Project title Role in the action Partners in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Populism in Macedonia and Serbia Business as Usual or Threat to Liberal Democracy? Applicant Interdisciplinary Centre for Studies of the Balkans Balkan Trust for Democracy Foundation Open Society - Macedonia 22,705 USD 22,705 USD Dates from-to August 2015 December 2015 Objectives and results of the action Objectives: 1) To improve and enrich the corpus of available knowledge on populist politics in the region in specific and Europe in general by offering a comparative analytical perspective of Balkan populisms combined with a comprehensive comparison with Western European populisms; 2) To empower the strategies of activists, think-tank professionals and academics for fighting exclusionary populisms as well as to raise the awareness of the more general public on the harmfulness of illiberal politics; 3) To create a network of experts and activists, both from the academia and civil society organizations, that will represent a core group for future research and awareness raising actions related to populist politics in the Balkans. Results: The organization at a conference and publishing research papers as well as creating a network which will carry out activities for improvement of the corpus of knowledge for populism in the region and in that manner shall back up support the strategies and the activists, the think-tank organizations and other professionals included in the populism battle as well as the protection of the main principles of the liberal democracy.

15 ANNUAL REPORT Project title Role in the action Partners in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) IPA 2 Mechanism for Civil Society Organisations - IPA2CSO Coordinator Environmental Centre for Research and Information EKO-SVEST Reaktor Research in Action Association for Development Initiatives - ZENIT European Union EUR EUR Dates from-to February 2015 July 2018 Overall objective: Strengthening the civil society impact in public policies and decision making, and in the civil and political dialogue, to influence key reforms for further support of the country in the EU accession processes. Objectives and results of the action Specific objective: Promotion of IPA 2 Mechanism that effectively supports participatory democracy by cooperation between the Government and CSOs. Results: R1) Increased capacity of diverse CSOs (both national and grassroots) to participate via IPA2CSO mechanism; (R2) Advanced CSO participation on local and national level through granting and implementation of concrete IPA 2 sector specific initiatives (R3) Established network for partnership principle in practice on programming and monitoring of IPA 2; and (R4) Increased CSOs capacity to connect with both stakeholders and media via analysis, monitoring and advocacy.

16 14 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Project title Role in the action Partners in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Good Governance Action Network - GGAN Co-applicant Foundation Metamorphosis (Lead Applicant) Reaktor Research in Action European Union EUR 147, Dates from-to December 2013 July 2015 Overall objectives: O1) Enhancing the involvement of civil society in the creation of public opinion, policy making and participation in the decision making mechanisms; O2) Increasing capacities of civil society to build its constituencies and tackle bold issues. Objectives and results of the action Specific objective: Promoting dynamic civil society that effectively mobilizes citizens for active engagement on good governance and transparency issues and influences policy and decision-making processes at local and national level Results: R1) Increased capacity of CSOs to influence policy making via coaching and mentoring support platform; R2) Advanced good governance issues on local and national level through providing grants to grassroots organizations for implementation of concrete initiatives (the vertical connection); R3) Established network of at least 20 informed and empowered organizations through Good Governance Network of grassroots organizations to promote good governance in Macedonia ( horizontal connection); and R4) Increased CSOs capacity to connect with their constituencies and give voice to citizens in decision making via innovative ICT tools (the grassroots connection).

17 ANNUAL REPORT Project title Role in the action Partners in the action Donors to the action CSO Network for Efficient Active Participation NEAP Co-applicant Foundation Metamorphosis (Lead Partner) European Union Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) 147,638 EUR 131,500EUR Dates from-to January 2013 August 2015 Overall Objective: To help create a more dynamic civil society in Macedonia that can effectively mobilize citizens for active engagement on good governance and transparency issues and has the capacity to influence policy and decision-making processes at local and national level. Objectives and results of the action Specific Objectives: 1) To connect at least 30 CSOs from 6 cities into 6 local networks so they can work together on issues of common concern, and add value to local or national efforts (the horizontal connection); 2) To build CSO networks capacity to connect with their constituencies and give voice to citizens in decision making (the grass-roots connection); 3) To assist CSO networks in establishing management mechanisms to connect with government institutions and influence good governance reforms, incl. to better understand the IPA, and to provide more efficient contributions to the IPA programming process (the vertical connection).

18 16 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Project title Role in the action Partners in the action Donors to the action Cost of the action Amount contributed (by donor) Demographics - quality of life, not just numbers Co-applicant Foundation NGO Infocentre (Lead Applicant) Association for Social Justice 8 th September USAID 53,843 USD 29,994 USD Dates from-to January January 2016 Main objective: Raising the self- awareness of the citizens for the essential meaning of the demographic politics and of the inventory for the living quality in Republic of Macedonia. Objectives and results of the action Specific objective: Strengthening the public pressure for the necessity of creating and implementing quality and indiscriminative demographic politics, for clearing up the voters list and accelerating the preparations for carrying out population inventory. Results: 1) Public debate on demographic politics for the inventory need and clearing up the voters list. 2) Active network of NGO, activists and journalist which will carry on raising the self- awareness of the citizens and strengthening the public pressure for the necessity and importance of the demographic politics, the inventory and clearing up the voters list.

19 ANNUAL REPORT IV. THEMES Research and policy analysis are now the main pillar of activities of MCET. The organization aims to implement applicable research and policy analysis that will support Macedonia s EU Accession bid and the Europeanisation of society, but also one that will influence EU Enlargement Policy and other policies that Member States have towards Macedonia outside of the enlargement process. MCET achieves this aim with its team of eight researchers, through its members, but also with a large network of external associates that contribute to its work. The entire network of researchers, members and associates of MCET are part of the research process, as well as the assessment of the policy and policy analysis processes, assessment of the state of play when it comes to Macedonia s EU Accession bid. The regular task of MCET s research team includes also the process of drawing conclusion or giving recommendations and comments, as well as advocacy work and maintaining public relations through social media, but also through traditional ones. This year, 2015, was extremely successful and active for MCET. The organisation was in in the spotlight with its researches and analysis. The results of the work of the organization will be available for preview in the next few chapters of this report, anyhow in this section you can follow our conceptual program themes, and primary results under each theme. Being exceptionally current it is work, brought to the fact that the organization had enhanced presence and achieved not only in the country, but also with the European Commission and the Member States. 1. Europeanisation/Democratisation The rise of populism in the political arena of the Western Balkans and of the EU was the reason why MCET engaged its expertise and resources and contributed to the regional debate, but also at the European level. While doing that MCET did not choose any side, nor it took a predetermined positive or negative position towards populism as a phenomenon within the democratic systems, its contribution was to opening the discussion on this phenomenon, and participation in the debate on regional and European level through substantive analysis that explored numerous aspects of the phenomenon. In this regard, in 2015, MCET organized two important events that covered this topic. The first event was the School for European Policies, held in Ohrid, in March 2015, and the second was the Conference on populism in Macedonia and Serbia held in Skopje, in November Both events brought together a number of renowned academics, analysts and researchers on this subject from Macedonia, the Western Balkans, but also from various EU Member States. In addition, as a result of the enforced research, the topic of populism was processed and incorporated in a training program through the module Democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the EU. This module was applied in specific training over two cycles in the period from March to June Having in mind its mission statement, and the fact that the organization works in Macedonia, MCET s key program remains the EU Accession bid of the country. For MCET the process will not end with the

20 18 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING country s accession to the EU, but after a general process of Europeanisation of society. Hence, the organization made a long-term commitment to monitor and assess the Europeanization of society, the acceptance of European values, the perception of citizens of the accession process, support for accession, and the atmosphere of fear that exists in the country. The research survey EUROMETAR was conducted this year as a telephone survey on the territory of the country, on a representative sample of 1215 respondents in March-June The survey results and analysis were the basis for the debate lead throughout the political crisis and the dialogue process, and referred to the support that citizens have for accession, and the atmosphere of fear that was discovered by the survey in In addition, the survey results and their analysis were used in order to advocate for greater involvement of the international community in overcoming the political crisis, after the achievement of a political agreement, as well as for monitoring and guarantying its execution. The results of both aspects of the research were further used within the civil society platform Citizens of Macedonia while giving content to the debate on European and democratic Macedonia, which was conducted within the platform. MCET encouraged this debate and contributed to its content while promoting European values, Common Policies and EU Accession. 2. Judiciary and Rule of Law The importance of Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights for EU Accession, as well as the internal capacity of the organization contributed to MCET successfully tackling this chapter in both of its components. Moreover, considering the connection of the two systems currently and in the future MCET s research was on the so-called European Human Rights Protection System, a term used by the organisation to cover the systems of the EU and the Council of Europe. As a result of the research MCET opened the debate and proposed the introduction of the recourse Constitutional Complaint (Verfasungsbeschwerde, Recurso de Amparo) and then actively engaged during the procedure for amending the Constitution in terms of introducing this recourse. The idea behind the introduction was to facilitate further implementation of the European Convention on Human rights in Macedonia. One final result of this research was the preparation of a training program under which the European Human Rights Protection System were analysed, especially their relationship in light of EU s accession to the ECHR. The second aspect of this theme that was in MCET s focus in 2015 are the judiciary reforms, especially in terms of ensuring the rule of law, observed through some key EC documents that scan the situation in the judiciary. In this sense, MCET provided specific recommendations and urged for institutional action. Finally, MCET participated in the consultative process with many other actors, but also organized focus groups and meetings to better collect the interests and views of various civil activists and civil society organizations and improve its research leading to the proposal of innovative solutions as an exit strategy form the current political crisis within the framework established by the EU.

21 ANNUAL REPORT EU Enlargement Enlargement is a moral duty and a political and strategic necessity. 1 is a statement that MCET uses to start the bulk of discussions and training materials related to EU Enlargement policy. Additionally, MCET supports the accession of Macedonia to the EU through research and monitoring of the EU Enlargement Policy and in particular Macedonia s EU Accession Process. In this sense, in 2015, MCET worked at three different levels in researching EU Enlargement Policy. First, MCET continued analyzing the policy s instruments and participated in the debate on regional but also at European level for EU Enlargement, the success of this policy and its further development. Second, the organization observed the documents and policy instruments used within Macedonia s EU Accession Process, participating in debate and recommending necessary improvement. Finally, third, the organization continued researching and recommending policy alternatives in order to improve the process of programming and use of the funds from the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) but also of other EU funds. Having previously been part of the coordinating body of civil society organizations on IPA2, in December 2015 MCET signed a grant contract, for a 3 year period to coordinate the mechanism. The mechanism gathers civil society organizations that analyse the use of IPA funds and recommend policy options opinions for the improvement of the programming process under the second frame of IPA funds for Macedonia. Another result of this programming theme in 2015 was a portal that includes the publications under the series MK@EU: 1) Comparative analysis of the European Commission s Progress (Country) Reports; and 2) My Guide for MK@EU. 1 Speech given by Commissioner Günter Verheugen at the Charles University in Prague on April 11, 2002: press-release_speech _en.doc

22 20 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING 4. Competition Policy The first strategic priority of the Government is Increasing economic growth and employment, increased living standard and improved quality of life hence for MCET it was important to observe the activities of the government in terms of EU Accession and compliance with the EU Common Policies. MCET s approach to the research in this area is through the prism of EU Competition Policy, analyzing in particular the work of the Technological Industrial Development Zones, as well as the measures adopted by the Government to encourage foreign direct investments. In this sense, in 2015, MCET opened the debate at national level for Technological Development and industrial Zones and continued to analyse and recommend policy options that are more in line with the EU Competition Policy. Special attention was dedicated to the issue of tax exemptions and the level of wages of the workers in these zones. 5. Regional Cooperation Regional cooperation is the last of the programme themes of MCET. Given that Croatia is already a Member State, and the other Western Balkan countries are in various phases of thei accession, regional cooperation that was once a key instrument of the Stabilisation and Association Agreements has a whole new meaning. In terms of research of the achievements of regional cooperation, MCET in 2015 analyzed the success of the Strategy Southeast Europe 2020, and the same analysis was put in the context of the harmonization between the Program of the Government, with the Strategy for Southeast Europe 2020 and the Strategy Europe The most significant activity of 2015, for this programme theme was the participation of MCET in the Berlin Process. Namely, the Executive Director of MCET, upon the invitation of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the ERSTE Stiftung, participated at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in the section titled Civil Society Forum in August 2015 in Vienna. This Forum was attended by over a hundred representatives of civil society organizations and think-tanks from the EU and the Western Balkans. At the Forum, the attendees had the opportunity to participate in several discussions with prime ministers and foreign ministers from the Western Balkans, even Commissioners of the European Commission. In separate sessions, representatives of civil society formulated proposals and conclusions that were presented to the heads of states and governments of the region. Three topics dominated the discussions: employment and economic growth, freedom of expression and regional cooperation. Under this process, the Executive Director of MCET participated in the regional preparatory meeting in May 2015 in Tirana on Employment and Growth, the conclusions of which were presented at the Summit in Vienna. MCET s participation on this Summit will continue in 2016, which is to be held in Paris under the patronage of the French government. Finally, for the purpose of strengthening and enhancing regional cooperation, MCET participated in the debate on the role of civil society and the establishment of new indicators for measuring the success of the implementation of the Strategy for Southeast Europe 2020 in December in Sarajevo.

23 ANNUAL REPORT V. TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS MCET s mission statement establishes that the organization supports the EU Accession bid of Republic of Macedonia and the overall process of Europeanization of the Macedonian society through conducting professional trainings. Throughout the years the organisation has delivered trainings to various target groups at which participants share experiences, discuss current topics with relevant information and sources and also gain necessary skills for future professional development. The last few years, the trainings delivered by MCET s are a result of the research and innovative process within the organization and contain a lot of data from it. In 2015 following trainings were conducted: 1. Trainings - Network of CSOs for efficient active participation Joint methodology on participatory assessment, cooperative advocacy, and coalition building The training was designed for grantees and applicants under the project. The training was conducted on May 7-8, 2015 in Skopje. The training was delivered by Aleksandar Kolekeski.

24 22 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance IPAII The training was designed for grantees and applicants under the project. The training was conducted on May 9-10, 2015 in Skopje. The training was delivered by Aleksandar Kolekeski. Effective research and analysis to advance public policy goals and campaign strategies The training was designed for grantees and applicants under the project. The training was conducted on May 16-17, 2015 in Skopje. The training was delivered by Aleksandar Kolekeski. 2. Mentorships - Network of CSOs for efficient active participation Creating social policies, social aid with zero corruption Civil society association 8 th of September, Skopje The objective of this project that was implemented in the municipalities of Center in Skopje and Strumica was to research the potential areas for corruption when giving social aid in the municipality in terms of social policy, as well as to give recommendations for more transparent social aid budgeting for vulnerable groups. The project resulted in providing several recommendations for improving social policies on a local level (prepared a social card, modalities of involvement of CSOs in preparing and conducting the strategies) The team of mentors was composed of: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Ljupco Petkovski and Diana Zhupanoska. Monitoring of public expenditures, tendering procedures and procurement in the energy sector Analytica, Gostivar This project had the following objectives: 1) Establishing financial accountability mechanism for institutions dealing with energy (Ministry of economy and regulatory commission) and 2) Developing a mechanism for monitoring the budgeting process within these institutions as well as increased transparency during the tendering procedure. For the purpose of this project, the implementer prepared a study of 80 pages that gives an overview of the positions of the energy sector and also depicts most of the challenges it is facing and provides recommendations for decision makers. The team of mentors was composed of: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Ljupco Petkovski and Diana Zhupanoska.

25 ANNUAL REPORT Test of the European mechanisms for preventing corruption and environmental protection Centre for research and information about the environment Eko-Svest This monitoring project consisted of two components. Primarily it was designed to test if the project for Corridor X (Demir Kapija - Smokvica) implemented the EU mechanism for prevention of corruption. Secondary, this project was supposed to ensure that throughout its implementation the EU measurements for environmental protection were thoroughly implemented. As an outcome of this project a report with lessons learned was published, while a CSO platform to advocate and monitor implementation of the mechanisms was established. The project added value was that it raised the public debate on the subject that was less interesting for the media and almost never got any attention. When it comes to big infrastructure projects, usually nobody cares if it harms the environment during its implementation. The team of mentors was composed of: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Ljupco Petkovski and Diana Zhupanoska. Establishing a system for improvement of civil and business sector in decision making on a local level Institute for development of rural communities, Resen This project that was also supported within the Good Governance Action Network had as a goal to establish a practice of good governance in the municipality of Resen by forming a tripartite partnership of the civil, public and business sectors. The envisaged form of this practice was the so-called Platform for Local Action (PLA). Thus, the goal of the project was compatible with the second main goal of the Action Network, and the first field of action (building strategies through joint consultations). All these documents will serve as a base for the work of PLA in the community, while the process itself will be an example for other municipalities wishing to adopt these mechanisms for engaging wider public as well as civil and business sector on a local level. The team of mentors was composed of: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Ljupco Petkovski and Diana Zhupanoska. Monitoring court cases in the field of organized crime and corruption Coalition all for fair trials, Skopje Although the project had limited finances and duration it envisaged a range of objectives the most important being strengthening independency, efficiency and fairness of the judiciary in the fight against organized crime and corruption. The project also dealt with the methodology for evaluation of judicial efficiency through monitoring of the implementation of various amendments and appendices to laws in the past and an analysis of the legal response from criminal point of view to the fight against organized crime and corruption. The objectives, activities and results of the project were compatible with all thematic priorities of the Network, especially in terms of corruption and good governance. The team of mentors was composed of: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Ljupco Petkovski and Diana Zhupanoska.

26 24 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING 3. Workshops - Citizens for democratic reforms From HLAD to Priebe, how to overcome the errors of the past These workshops were designed for civil society activists and members of civil society organizations. The workshops took place in Bitola (September 1, 2015), Tetovo (September 2, 2015), Strumica (September 18, 2015), Kumanovo (October 6, 2015) и Skopje (November 2 and December 16, 2015). The workshops were conducted by: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Bojan Marichikj and Goran Lazarov. 4. Trainings - USAID Civil Society Project European funds programming and applications, Module 1 (IPA 1) The trainings were designed for grantees and applicants within the project. The trainings were organized in 3 cycles; the first one was in March/April 2015, the second in May/June 2015, while the third cycle was in November/ December The workshops were conducted by: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Bojan Marichikj, Andreja Stojkovski and Filip Tosevski. European funds programming and applications, Module 2 (IPA 2) The trainings were designed for grantees and applicants within the project. The trainings were organized in 3 cycles; the first one was in March/April 2015, the second in May/June 2015, while the third cycle was in November/ December The workshops were conducted by: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Bojan Marichikj, Andreja Stojkovski and Filip Tosevski. Rule of law, democracy and human rights The trainings were designed for grantees and applicants within the project. The trainings were organized in 3 cycles; the first one was in March/April 2015, the second in May/June 2015, while the third cycle was in November/ December The workshops were conducted by: Aleksandar Kolekeski, Bojan Marichikj, Andreja Stojkovski and Filip Tosevski.

27 ANNUAL REPORT Training and Mentoring - Center for Media Development Training for public policy (definition, development, analysis, research and elaboration of recommendations) Training for advocacy (methods of communication for the purposes of publishing recommendations for public policies, definition of public advocacy, approaches to advocacy, challenges and obstacles for advocates, case studies) MCET conducted two trainings as an activity for strengthening the capacities of the Center for media development in the area of analysis of public policies and advocacy. These trainings were part of a process which included mentorship for writing a public policy document. MCET was hired to for this capacity building exercise by DETRA a local consultancy company through a USAID Funded Project. The trainings were conducted on March and April 1-3, 2015 in Skopje. Team of trainers and mentors for this contract was composed of: Bojan Mаrichikj, Andreja Stojkovski, Aleksandar Kolekeski and Ljupcho Petkovski.

28 26 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING 6. Trainings FOSM Municipality Tailored to Citizens Needs Project European fund programming (IPA 2) European Funds - application and fill in the electronic online tools The training was intended to bring together representatives of the municipal administrations of Centar, Strumica and Struga, or centers to support NGOs, cultural and educational institutions and other similar potential beneficiaries of European funds. The trainings were conducted in three training sessions for municipal administrations and one for the other potential beneficiaries in May / June 2015 in Struga, Centre, Strumica and Bitola. The trainings are conducted by Aleksandar Kolekeski, Bojan Maricic and Andreja Stojkovski. 7. Mentorships FOSM Municipality Tailored to Citizens Needs Project European Funds - preparation of project proposals and applications Municipalities in collaboration with the community center of the municipality to which they belong, developed, each 4 project concepts to achieve institutional change and strengthening local democracy. The concepts were according to the rules and the design of these programs 1) IPA Cross border cooperation; 2) IPA IV component; Europe for Citizens Erasmus + / KA2. Mentor: Aleksandar Kolekeski 8. Trainings - Fundamental Rights - Fitting into the European Frame Fundamental Rights - Fitting into the European Frame The training was intended for media representatives and was conducted in February 2015 in Veles. The training was conducted by Bojan Marichikj, Andreja Stojkovski, Danica Dzonova and Uranija Pirovska.

29 ANNUAL REPORT Others trainings and lectures History of European integrations and EU accession process Union programs - ERASMUS The trainings were designed for CSO representative and high school students from Strumica and conducted in October 2015 and December 2015 in cooperation with Association of citizens NOVUS from Strumica. The trainings were delivered by Aleksandar Kolekeski and Andreja Stojkovski. Judiciary and fundamental rights and the Priebe Report The lecture was designed for post graduate students in Criminal law from the Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus in Skopje, and was delivered in November The lecture was delivered by Andreja Stojkovski. The contribution of Magna Carta to the development of contemporary European Democracy The lecture was designed for students from the high school Orce Nikolov and was conducted for the purposes of the project Magna Carta , implemented by the Youth Educational Forum in November The lecture was delivered by Andreja Stojkovski. Financial sustainability and availability of EU funds This training was designed for several civil leaders from Roma organizations and took place in Skopje in the period September/October The training offered the participants insight in the available EU Funds and was implemented for the purposes of a project run by Youth Educational Forum. Training was conducted by Bojan Marichikj and Aleksandar Kolekeski

30 28 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING VI. EVENTS AND NETWORKING The Macedonian Centre for European Training uses its research, as well as the capacities for policy analysis to help transfer data-based knowledge to a wide group of trainees. MCET considers it an important step to promote the results of its research for information and strengthening the level of debate, but also to facilitate further development of its work. Timely promotion of the results from its research, and at high quality level events, such as: conferences, seminars, schools, workshops, meetings, debates and other events is of utmost importance for MCET. Maintaining the level of quality of research and events organized, amplifies the influence that MCET has at the national level, in the region, but also wider at the European level. The contribution of our organization is not only seen through the participants at our events, as direct beneficiaries, but also further on through their involvement in civil society thus contributing to a an even higher reach of MCET s work. During the year 2015 MCET prepared, developed, organized and/or hosted several events that brought together a large number of citizens of Macedonia. These events often had prominent international experts as speakers or lecturers. At the same time, MCET s researchers attended events of other organizations in Macedonia and abroad speaking and presenting the findings of our research.

31 ANNUAL REPORT Events co/organized by MCET a. #EUROTALK #EUROTALK is a debating session organized under the Chatham House Rule that gathers MCET s members, staff and other friends of the organization. Invitations for participation at the sessions are issued directly to specific guests who can contribute to the debate with their knowledge or experience. EUROTALK serves the purpose of discussing current issues with regards to the European Union, the EU Accession efforts/perspectives of Macedonia, a particular Common Policy etc. At the same time the sessions facilitate the research that MCET does and helps our researchers to test their thesis or discuss a question that they would like to address in a policy document. The sessions usually last 90 minutes where 15 minutes are dedicated for the introductory address by the guest speaker followed by 60 minutes of Q&A session and another 15 minutes for concluding remarks. In 2015 the following 6 #EUROTALK sessions were organised: 1. January 2015, Mr. Erwan Fouere, Associate Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies; 2. February 2015, H.E. Dr. Christine Althouser, Ambassador, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany to Macedonia; 3. March 2015, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski Ph.D., Professor, University American College Skopje; 4. June 2015, EUROMETER; 5. October 2015; Mr. Peter Vanhoutte, former MP, Board President, Centre for Development of Participatory Democracy; and 6. December 2015; H.E. Mr. Jess Bailey, Ambassador, US Embassy to Macedonia. b. Educational and Informative sessions The educational and informative sessions are an instrument of MCET through which the organisation is initialising and supporting the public debate on concrete topics relating to the EU Accession of Macedonia. The sessions are open and usually gather as guests representatives of civil society and the media. The sessions usually last 90 minutes where 15 minutes are dedicated for the introductory address by the guest speaker followed by 60 minutes of Q&A session and another 15 minutes for concluding remarks. In 2015 the following educational and informative sessions were organised: 1. December 2015, What can we learn from the EU Accession of the Vishegrad Four group of countries? - H.E. Mr. Jacek Multanowski, Ambassador, Polish Embassy to Macedonia; - Woychieh Przibilski, Editor of EUROZINE and Res Publika Nova.

32 30 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING c. School for European Politics The first issue of the School for European Politics was conducted in March 2015 under the title The European crisis and its implications on the European periphery: economy, democratic governance and values. The school gathered 30 researchers, representatives of the academia and the think-tank community, as well as representatives of civil society. Some of the researchers of MCET, as well as representatives of other partner organisations appeared as lecturers on the school. The School took place on March 18-20, 2015 in Ohrid; Key note speakers on the school were: - Mr. Marko Lovec Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana; - Mr. Boris Kamchev, freelance journalist, columnist, LNG Publishers, St. Petersburg; - Mrs. Pinar Elman, Ph.D. Candidate, Polish Institute for International Affairs, Warsaw; and - Mr. Peter Czigo Ph.D., Researcher, Hungarian Academy of Science. d. Press briefings Press briefings are a regular tool that MCET uses to prepare or direct the public debate on issues that MCET researches or that is of importance for the organisation. During this year 2015 the following two press briefings were organised: 1. May 2015, EUROMETER; 2. October 2015, Annual Enlargement Package. e. Populism The rise of populism in Europe is a serious challenge even for the most The rise of populism in Europe poses serious challenge even to world s most mature liberal democracies. Recent elections for the European Parliament saw the success of right-wing populist, anti-european parties in the UK and France, two of three most powerful European member states signalling dissatisfaction with the political elites and the way they dealt with the European crisis. In the European South, mass anti-austerity movements easily turned into electoral success of populist parties of different political sign stirring up a debate on left-wing populism in the literature. Populism is seriously endangering the fragile democracies of the Western Balkans and is the main cause of concern. Having in mind that these are not the established liberal democracies of the west, they usually have weak institutions, and populism endangers not only the liberal consensus building, but also to normalise illiberal policies. Having all this in mind, MCET in partnership with the Centre for Interdisciplinary studies of the Balkans organised the conference: Populism in Macedonia and Serbia Business as Usual or Threat to Liberal Democracy? The conference took place in Skopje in November 13-15, The conference had as key-note speakers the following renowned experts:

33 ANNUAL REPORT Mr. Jacques Rupnik Ph.D., Professor, University Sciences PO, Paris; - Mr. Vedran Dzihic Ph.D., Lecturer, University of Vienna, Vienna; - Mr. Jovan Teokarevic Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade; - Mr. Saso Ordanoski Ph.D., Lecturer, Southeast European University, Tetovo; - Mr. Takis Papas Ph.D., Professor, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki; - Mr. Dimitris Sotiropoulos Ph.D., Professor, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens. f. Macedonia 2015: European reforms or an unfortunate new invention!? The conference is a long-time instrument that MCET used to open up the debate in the public on the European Commission s Enlargement Package. This year the conference was dedicated to the current political situation and the crisis that escalated with the release of the wiretappings. The conference welcomed as speakers: - Mr. Saso Ordanoski Ph.D., Lecturer, Southeast European University, Tetovo; - Mr. Ljubomir Danailov Frckoski, Professor, Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus, Skopje; - Mrs. Biljana Sekulovska Gaber, Professor, Faculty of Economy, Skopje; - Mr. Petar Gosev, former Governor, National Bank of Macedonia. The conference took place on February 5, 2015 in Skopje. g. The Economy and European Integration: How does Macedonia meet the indicators of the Strategy Southeast Europe 2020 After the Regional Cooperation Council published the Report and the results from the implementation of the Strategy Southeast Europe 2020 MCET in partnership with the Progress Institute from Skopje, and with financial support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung organised a conference to analyse and discuss the results. The goal of the conference was to offer the Macedonian public an opportunity to hear more about the report and discuss how advanced the country is when it comes to meeting with the recommendations. The conference welcomed as speakers: - Mr. Nand Shani, Advisor, Regional Cooperation Council, Sarajevo; - Mr. Jon Ivanovski, Ambassador-at-large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; - Mrs. Biljana Sekulovska Gaber Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Economy, Skopje; - Mrs. Valentina Disoska, Chairwoman, Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Skopje; - Mrs. Blagica Petreski, Executive Director and Chief Economist, Finance Think, Skopje. The conference took place on June 9, 2015 in Skopje.

34 32 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING h. Enlargement Agenda Achievements and challenges in Public Administration Reform On the occasion of the presentation of the European Commission s Enlargement Package MCET in cooperation with the Progress Institute and with financial support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung organised a conference to analyse and discuss a specific area, the meeting of the Madrid Criterion and Public Administration Reform. Having in mind the strengthened focus of the European Commission when it comes to Public Administration Reform, as well as observing the principles for good governance and effective transposition of the Acquis Unionaire, the speakers at the conference addressed the reform process by making an overview of past achievements and an assessment of the current state of play. The conference welcomed as speakers: - Mrs. Lidija Dimova, MP, Chairwoman, National Council for European Integrations; - Mrs. Karen Hill, Head of Office, SIGMA, Paris; - Mrs. Miroslawa Boryczka, Senior Advisor, SIGMA, Paris; - Mrs. Marta Arsovska Tomovska, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Information Society and Administration; - Mrs. Fani Karanfilova Panovska, Executive Director, Foundation Open Society Macedonia, Skopje; - Mrs. Neda Maleska Sachmaroska, Senior Analyst, Centre for Managing Change. The conference took place in November 29, 2015 in Skopje. i. Support to Civil Society The Country Report of the European Commission, published in November 2015 was the topic for the conference organised with financial support from USAID and in cooperation with the Project Support to Civil Society. The conference offered an opportunity to debate all aspects of the report, the progress or lack of progress made, as well as the urgent reform priorities. It proved to be the central event that civil society had organized with regards to the Enlargement Package. The title of the conference was Is there a way out of the impasse!?, and it had as key-note speakers the following: - Mrs. Gordana Buzarevska Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus, Skopje; - Mr. Vasko Popetreski, Editor-Anchor, Alsat-M TV, Skopje; - Mrs. Ermira Mehmeti, MP, Chairwoman, Committee of European Affairs; - Mr. German Filkov, President, Centre for Civic Communications, Skopje; The conference took place on November 5, 2015, one day after the presentation of the Enlargement Package, in Skopje. j. Fundamental Rights Fitting into the European Frame With financial support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the British Embassy in Mace-

35 ANNUAL REPORT donia, MCET under the project Fundamental Rights Fitting into the European Frame established institutional cooperation with the Institute for International Law from the Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus in Skopje. This cooperation encompassed the organization of a debating session on a topic within the subject of Human Rights. The session had two teams presenting opposing arguments over the issue of Blasphemy and freedom of speech. The students from both teams were selected and prepared by Mrs. Elena Mihajlova Ph.D., Assistant Professor, while the debate had as intervenors prof. Ljubomir Danailov Frckoski Ph.D., Mrs. Natasa Gaber Damjanovska Ph.D., judge of the Constitutional Court and Mrs. Margarita Tsatsa Nikolovska, international judge of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and former judge of the European Court for Human Rights. The event took place on March 13, 2015 at the Faculty of law. k. Good Governance Action Network Under the project Good Governance Action Network, funded by the EU, MCET in partnership with the Foundation Metamorphosis and Reactor - Research in Action held a networking meeting with the grantees under the project to discuss the drafting and signing of the declaration for joint action in the field of good governance. The networking meeting took place on February 2, 2015 in Skopje. Again, under the project Good Governance Action Network the three partners organised a final conference of the project indicating that Macedonian citizens want to participate in decision-making, but do not know how to do it the easy, fast and simple way. At the conference the three organizations presented the project s mobile application Picodemocracy through which institutions can consult citizens on issues, as well as the citizens can express opinion on a diversity of issues that affect them. Alongside the app, the project partners promoted the publication entitled Good governance - experiences and challenges that elaborates the relationship between good governance, ICT and new media, and also covers the topics of research, policy development and EU Accession. The final conference took place in Skopje, at the EU InfoCentre in September l. Network of CSOs for efficient active participation Under the project Network of CSOs for efficient active participation implemented by the Foundation Metamorphosis and MCET as partners, a final conference was organized which was attended by representatives of civil society organizations, various state institutions and the media. The role of MCET concerned the elaboration of materials on relevant EU topics in order to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations. During this project modules for training were developed that are now content to an e-learning platform for e-learning that pools resources that help civic participation in IPA II programming. The conference was conducted on June 19, 2015 in Skopje.

36 34 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING 2. Events co/organised by others a. EU-IN-BALKANS In preparation of the Consortium Agreement and the proposal to the call Horison2020 INT EU and Western Balkans a workshop was organised on which the composition of the consortium for the project, the project strategy and approach intervention were considered. The workshop also served the purpose of introducing all partners in the consortium to each other, and delegating tasks for the elaboration of the proposal. The workshop welcomed: - prof. Danel Göller Ph.D., project coordinator, University of Passau, Passau; - Funda Tekin Ph.D., Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin; - Dominic Mugeais, Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin; - Neda Zhivanovic, Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin; - Vishnja Samardzija, Institute for Development and International Relations, Zagreb; - Ana Ganeva, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia; - prof. Jovan Teocarevic Ph.D., Faculty of Political Sciences, Belgrade; - prof. Daniela Jechimovic Ph.D., Faculty of Economics, Podgorica; - prof. Damir Kapidzic Ph.D., University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo; - prof. Bostjan Udovic, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana; - Labino Greichevichi, RIDEA, Prishtina; - Elvin Gjevori, European University, Tirana; On behalf of MCET the workshop was attended by Andreja Stojkovski. In the final composition of the consortium MCET had the task of being a Co-Chair of one of the Work Packages dedicated to the study of the progress of the Western Balkan countries in their EU Accession with planned participation in almost all other work packages. The workshop was held on March 2015 in Munich. b. The New High-Level Accession Dialogue and the Priebe Report Before the visit of Commissioner Johannes Hahn to Skopje, scheduled for September 18, 2015, the EU Delegation held a cycle of consultations with representatives of civil society in Macedonia. The consultations were organized according to the sectoral approach and they were lead by Mr. Lucas Holub, Deputy Head of the Delegation. For the sector where MCET was inviged, Democracy and the Rule of Law, the following were invited:

37 ANNUAL REPORT Andreja Bogdanovski, Analytica, Think-Tank; 2. Gordan Kalajdziev, Macedonian Helsinki Committee; 3. Nade Naumova, Foundation Open Society - Macedonia; 4. Malinka Ristevska-Jordanova, European Policy Institute; 5. Aleksandar Krzalovski, Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation; As a representative of MCET Andreja Stojkovski took part in the meeting. The Consultative meeting took place on September 7, c. Visit of Commissioner Hahn The visit of the EU Commissioner for Accession Negotiations and Neighborhood, Johannes Hahn to Skopje for the new session on the High-Level Accession Dialogue was used for an open meeting with civil society. At the meeting the views of civil society were shared with the Commissioner by the elected representatives from the consultative meetings held earlier that month. As a representative of MCET, Andreja Stojkovski participated at the meeting. The meeting was held on September 18, d. TEPSA Pre-Presidency Conference Anticipating the end of the year and the forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Institute

38 36 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING for International Relations CLINGENDAEL from the Netherlands in cooperation with TEPSA organized the second annual Pre-Presidency Conference of TEPSA for The conference had a separate part a General Assembly of TEPSA. MCET as an aspirant for membership in the network was invited to attend. The conference worked under the general theme Challenges and Opportunities for the Dutch presidency, and was organized in five panels: 1. Deeper integration & better governance; 2. One year Juncker; 3. The crisis at the Eastern borders of the EU; 4. The EU s Asylum & Migration challenge; 5. Challenges and Chances for European Cooperation. The conference had as key-note speakers the following: - Mr. Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; - prof. Wolfgang Wessels Ph.D., TEPSA Chairman; - prof. Jaap de Zwaan Ph.D., TEPSA Secretary General; - Katrin Boettger Ph.D., Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin; - Teija Tiilikainen Ph.D., Finish Institute for International Relations, Helsinki; and - Adriaan Schout Ph.D., Institute for International Relations Clingendael, Amsterdam. MCET s representatives on the conference were Andreja Stojkovski and Goran Lazarov. The conference took place on November 19-20, 2015 in the Hague. e. Briefing with the Venice Commission As a result of the recent changes in the legislation on courts and the judicial system that introduced the Council on Establishing of Facts and Initiation of Procedure for Accountability and Dismissal of Judges the country was visited by a working group of the Venice Commission. The working group held several meetings with different target groups, and one of the meetings was reserved for civil society and was attended by: 1. Ms. Margarita Tsatsa-Nikolovska, Institute for Human Rights; 2. Ms. Emina Nuredinovska, Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation; 3. Mr. Nazif Avdi, Macedonian Young Lawyers Association; 4. prof. Gordan Kalajdziev Ph.D., Macedonian Helsinki Committee; 5. Mr. Gjorgji Joshevski, Coalition All for Fair Trials; The workgin group was accompanied by Ms. Marina Kurte, Advisor at the EU Delegation and prof. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova Ph.D., and member of the Venice Commission. The delegation of the workgin group was composed in the following manner: - prof. Sergio Bartole Ph.D., Italy;

39 ANNUAL REPORT Richart Barret, Ireland; - prof. Ciril Ribicic Ph.D., Slovenia; - prof. Andras Varga Ph.D., Hungary. Andreja Stojkovski was MCET s representative at this briefing. The briefing took place on November 12, 2015 in Skopje. f. E-Society The Metamorphosis Foundation from Skopje organised its eleventh annual E-Society conference on the topic Freedom and privacy and the Internet. The conference had multiple panels, and within one of the workshops, specifically on Human rights and elections, MCET was invited to participate with a speaker. As a representative of MCET the speaker was Andreja Stojkovski, while the other panellists were: Philip Chaparovski, National Democratic Institute and Darko Aleksov, MOST. The conference was held on December 10, g. Magna Carta The Conference Magna Carta organized by the Youth Educational Forum was dedicated to discussing democracy and human rights throughout history and the modern world. Organized into three panels, the conference organisers invited MCET to participate in the third panel and speak about the Challenges that the EU has in safeguarding Liberalism and democracy. As a representative of MCET the speaker at the conference was Andreja Stojkovski, who was joined by Jovan Bliznakovski from the Institute for Democracy and Doan Sulejmanoski of the Youth Educational Forum. The conference took place on December 11, h Populism in the EU Populism in the EU and its impact on the political landscape was a conference organized in Prague, the Czech Republic, for the purpose of understanding the dynamics of the contemporary populist behavior and strategies in European societies. The conference analyzed the topics that are susceptible to (ab)use by populists such as the refugee crisis, major geopolitical developments, terrorism, etc. The organizer of the conference was the Institute of International Studies at the Charles University in Prague and the Heinrich Boll Foundation in cooperation with the Goethe Institute. MCET s representatives at the conference were Ljupco Petkovski, Bojan Marichikj and our collaborator Dimitar Nikolovski, who had the opportunity to present the research that our organization executes in the field. The conference took place on May 23-24, 2015.

40 38 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING i. Employment and Growth In preparation to the Civil Society Forum under the Berlin Process several regional workshops were organized where multiple stakeholders from the region met to discuss issues of interest to the region, the sector or a specific area. One of the regional workshops was dedicated to the theme Employment and Growth, and was organized in Tirana in May Upon invitation of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the Erste Stiftung Bojan Marichikj attended this regional workshop as representative of MCET. j. Berlin Process The Civil Society Forum under the Summit EU - Western Balkans of the Berlin Process was held in Vienna in August This Forum was attended by over a hundred representatives of civil society organisations and think tanks from the EU and the Western Balkans. All CSO representatives there had the opportunity to participate in several discussion forums with Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkan countries, as well as European Commissioners and other European leaders and formulate proposals and conclusions that were later presented to the Heads of State and Government from the region. The forum was dominated by three themes: Employment and economic growth, freedom of expression and regional cooperation. Representative of MCET to the forum was Bojan Marichikj who participated upon the invitation of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the Erste Stiftung. k. EU Integration The European Movement of Montenegro with financial support from the Government of Slovakia organized a regional conference on EU Integration. The Conference aims to become a regional civil initiative to support the EU Accession Process, and the model to it is the work of the National Conventions of the Vishegrad Countries at the time of their accession. For this venture the Slovak Government has provided financial support, although only partially, and MCET is the partner organization to the European Movement in Montenegro from Macedonia. The Regional Conference was organized in September 2015 in Budva. Bojan Marichikj was the representative of MCET on this meeting. l. School for Policy Analysis The civic platform GONG from Croatia organizes Summer School on Policy and Discourse Analysis in the second half of the year. This year, the Summer School was organized on how to use the survey data for advocacy. As usual, the school was organized in Zadar, in October 2015, and was a thematic and functionally fully connected with the previous schools. The school had several renowned and experienced lecturers, and the programme was implemented with practical exercises and assignments. MCET participant at the school was Bojan Marichikj.

41 ANNUAL REPORT m. Meeting of Think-Tank Executive Directors A regional meeting of the Executive Directors of the Think Tanks from the region was held under the auspices of the OSF Think-Tank Fund, and the Regional Research Promotion Programe established with support by the Swiss Government. The meeting was held in Sarajevo in October 2015, and its purpose was to exchange information and experience between the directors of think tanks in the Western Balkans and improve their networking. n. Western Balkan s Future in the EU The conference is an initiative of the European Movement in Montenegro, which was organized as a forum for discussion of the future of the Western Balkan countries. At the conference each country is represented by one or more national organizations that participate in all panels, but appear as keynote speakers in the panel dedicated to the state that they represent. The conference was held with financial support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Budva in November Representative of MCET and rapporteur for Macedonia at the conference was Bojan Marichikj.

42 40 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING VII. ISSUES AND PUBLICATIONS МCET is putting a lot of effort to ensure quality publications which will address topics of interest to the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the EU accession process of the country. MCET publications represent creative and authentic attempt to keep alive the debate on EU accession and the debate on various European policies. In addition to regular publications, MCET has occasional issues arising from specific projects or specific researches conducted by researchers in the team MCET. Finally, the MCET researcher s team appears as authors of publications of other organizations or publications that are co-issued by MCET and its partners. For the purpose of better understanding the list of issues and publications of MCET given below, the following is a categorisation that the organisation has developed and observes: 1. Analytical Study - Report (above 60 pages), in accordance to MCET s internal typology is a document that is designed to give in-depth knowledge of a certain area and to explain the relationships between different sets of data. MCET s analytical studies identify and quantify associations, test hypotheses, identify causes and determine whether an association exists between the variables. 2. Policy Study (30 to 60 pages), in accordance to MCET s typology is a document that represents a systematic study of the nature, causes, and effects of alternative public policies in a particular area and with particular emphasis on giving recommendations for policy options that best achieve the goal. 3. Policy Brief (5 to 15 pages), in accordance to MCET s typology is a concise summary of a particular issue, the policy options to deal with it, and some recommendations on the best option. 4. Comparative Analysis (100 to 150 pages), in accordance to MCET s typology is a tabular overview of the remarks expressed by the European Commission in its regular, annual Progress/Country Reports on Macedonia with a brief analysis of the trends in the various chapters and sections and a short analytical statement by an analyst. 5. Case Study (15 to 30 pages), in accordance to MCET s typology is a document involving an up-close, in-depth, and detailed examination of a subject of study, as well as its related contextual conditions. 6. Insight Paper (up to 5 pages), in accordance to MCET s typology is a document that analyzes an issue from an individual research and does not require outside research. MCET uses its insight papers as information documents and/or working documents that instigate debate and serve as a foundation for further research. In 2015 MCET s Team elaborated and published the following documents:

43 ANNUAL REPORT POLICY STUDY The MCET Team Eurometar 2015 MCET June 2015 Aleksandar Kolekeski IPA study MCET December 2015 Aleksandar Kolekeski Good governance- experience and challenges Ljupco Petkovski Diana Bliznakovska Foundation Metamorphosis September 2015 Ljupco Petkovski MCET June 2015 The MCET Team MCET/FOSM January 2015 The MCET Team MCET/FOSM From obedience to occupation- student movement in Macedonia in th Quarterly Accession Watch Report: Common Agricultural saga 25 th Quarterly Accession Watch Report: Tick-Tack - In the nick of time June 2015 POLICY BRIEFS Bojan Marichikj,Andreja Stojkovski, Diana Zhupanoska, Goran Lazarov Traps and chances of the EU sponsored talks MCET June 2015

44 42 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS The MCET Team MCET/FOSM Comparative analyses of the EC Reports from Backsliding, not promised - checked! November 2015 CASE STUDIES Aleksandar Kolekeski and Diana Zhupanoska Quality of the working position offered by companies established in Technological Industrial Development Zones MCET January 2015 INSIGHT PAPER Andreja Stojkovski Constitutional complaint- Light at the end of the tunnel MCET January 2015 Bojan Marichikj and Ljupco Petkovski Macedonia in Europe or Belarus in the Balkans? Balkans in Europe Policy Blog of Centre for Southeast European Studies of the University of Graz January 2015 Bojan Marichikj and Ljupco Petkovski Traitors, Bombs, Spies and Coup - Macedonian Political Surrealism Balkans in Europe Policy Blog of Centre for Southeast European Studies of the University of Graz February 2015

45 ANNUAL REPORT VIII. IN THE MEDIA MCET this year, clearly retained the set course to cooperate and help improve the capacity of the media, in order to improve the reporting on the EU Accession Process of Macedonia. As usual, MCET s issues and publications, its analysis, conferences and debates had significant impact and managed to have excellent coverage not only by the media in Macedonia, but also the European and world media. 1. The Quality of Jobs Diana Zhupanoska and Aleksandar Kolekeski were the members of the MCET team that worked on the research and elaborated the case study The quality of jobs offered by companies established in the Technological Industrial Development Zone. This research showed that Macedonian workers in these Technological and Industrial Development Zones are treated primarily as cheap labor and offered as an advantage to attract foreign investors. The publication of the case study was an initial burst for the media to explore the issue. Dozens of media outlets focused on the results presented through the analysis conducted, and by interviewing employees in foreign companies in the zones. 2 TELMA TV Aleksandar Kolekeski Diana Zhupanoska Diana Zhupanoska Aleksandar Kolekeski ALSAT-M TV Diana Zhupanoska FAKTOR Web Portal Diana Zhupanoska Aleksandar Kolekeski MCET

46 44 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING UTRINSKI VESNIK Daily Aleksandar Kolekeski 0B AFA4E99AFA4A1 AKADEMIK Web Portal MCET RADIO FREE EUROPE Diana Zhupanoska INBOX7 Web Portal MCET The Political Crisis Most, if not all members of MCET Team were constantly consulted by the media, from the moment of the release of the affair Puch, releasing of the so-called bombs by the opposition, the political outcome of the crisis, Przino agreement and recommendations made by the Pribe Report. Bojan Marichikj and Andreja Stojkovski were the most prominent speakers on behalf of the MCET team and were regularly present in the media, giving statements about the expectations and the consequences of the political crisis, as well as the European approach to its settlement. The media took as relevant the MCET position about the issues concerning the ffair Puch and the possible deepening of the political crisis in the country. They were consulted in the various media researches, but also frequent guests in the TV debates. A1On Web Portal MCET 24VESTI TV Andreja Stojkovski Ljupcho Petkovski

47 ANNUAL REPORT ALSAT-M TV Andreja Stojkovski Bojan Marichikj UTRINSKI VESNIK Daily Andreja Stojkovski Andreja Stojkovski Andreja Stojkovski C815E22290DD4E8C458A1DB70E AE D985D5717AFF1 C3A459BD73828CB95E72D TELMA TV Andreja Stojkovski RADIO FREE EUROPE Bojan Marichikj Bojan Marichikj Debating #Otvoreno 24 VESTI TV Andreja Stojkovski Top Tema TELMA TV Aleksandar Kolekeski

48 46 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Andreja Stojkovski Izbor na narodot SONCE TV Andreja Stojkovski Ljupcho Petkovski Main News KANAL5 TV Bojan Marichikj 24 Анализа 24 VESTI TV Bojan Marichikj Andreja Stojkovski =12&list=PLcTNik4f3EoVxcL4z4-yq5afDdSUEX3Bo ALSAT-M TV Andreja Stojkovski Bojan Marichikj =6&list=PLDEJsbX4Is7eoEKGHpfHqbsX58kqxf7Qd

49 ANNUAL REPORT MCET in the international media MCET s analysis and observations, as well as its research were well received even by the international media and it found its place in several outlets. Of particular importance was the appearance by MCET s Executive Director in the prestigious New York Times. New York Times Bojan Marichikj Capital (Bulgaria) Andreja Stojkovski Independent Balkan News Agency Andreja Stojkovski Observador (Portugal) Andreja Stojkovski FD. (Netherlands) Bojan Marichikj Andreja Stojkovski Open Democracy The MCET Team European fund for the Balkans er-grabbe/deep-roots-of-macedonia%27s-current-turmoil- %E2%80%93-and-way-forward Ljupcho Petkovski

50 48 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING Eurometer MCET s survey research under the EUROMETER project edition was the first after the release of socalled bombs, and the first that had its results released in the public. The survey also tackled public attitude about the affair with the wiretapping, and the perception on Macedonia s EU Accession, as well as the atmosphere of fear in the country. 3 The news generator shows that more than a dozen of relevant media in the country published the findings of the survey. One of the most relevant results of the survey was that less people believe the wiretapped conversations were created, assembled and edited, and that the myth of the yellow van does not exists. 4 TELMA TV Ljupcho Petkovski NOVA Web TV The MCET Team 24 VESTI TV The MCET Team RADIO FREE EUROPE Bojan Marichikj NOVA MAKEDONIJA Daily The MCET Team &id=9&setIzdanie=23500 VOICE OF AMERICA Macedonian Programme The MCET Team

51 ANNUAL REPORT FOCUS Weekly The MCET Team MKD.MK Web Portal The MCET Team PRVI Web Portal The MCET Team Macedonia s EU Accession With the High Level Accession Dialogue, the visit of European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, and the information became public that the Civil Service stands at 185,000 employees, the media found in MCET an interlocutor to discuss with the Public Administration Reform, but also the overburdening that the public apparatus creates to the private sector. Accession Criteria and especially Madrid Criteria were discussed on debates by MCET, as well as the Pubcli Administration Reform. Both topics received good media coverage and further extended the reach of the organisation. 24 VESTI TV Andreja Stojkovski FOCUS Weekly The MCET Team RADIO FREE EUROPE Bojan Marichikj html

52 50 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING The second issue of this topic was the debate on the European Commission s Progress or Country Report. MCET organised an event for the purpose of debating the issue and received the attention of the media. A1On Web Portal Bojan Marichikj RADIO FREE EUROPE Bojan Marichikj PLUSINFO Web Portal Bojan Marichikj REPORTER Web Portal Bojan Marichikj AKADEMIK Web Portal The MCET Team META Agency The MCET Team 8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D0%B- B%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0- ka-imame-nezavisni-sudski-tela-nishto-ne-zavisi-od- chasot-vo-holidej-in/ The final, third, issue under this topic was the fact that due to administrative backsliding and lack of political will Macedonia irretrievably lost 1.1 MEUROs for construction of Sustainable Civil Society and 630,000 EUROs for Consumer Protection. Meta Agency, 24Vesti TV, Faktor and Inbox7 Web Portals took the story and shared the information. 5 5 (1) (2) (3) archives/3950

53 ANNUAL REPORT Other MCET Projects The final period of the project Fundamental Rights Fitting into the European framework received its fair share of media attention. 6 The public debate organized through the Civic Platform Citizens for Macedonia hosted MCET on several occasions when topics of interest to the organisation or stemming from its research were discussed. Many of the media outlets took upon those statements and made them resonate in the public discourse. 7 The mobile app Picodemocracy created through the Good Governance Action Network Project of Foundation Metamorphosis and MCET was also part of the media reports. 8 MCET s Populism Conference was the hot topic for the month of November. 9 Finally, from among the events organised by MCET the conference Macedonia 2015: European reforms or fruit of government creativity? was among the topics of interest for the media. PLUSINFO Web Portal The MCET Team The MCET Team A1On Web Portal The MCET Team The MCET Team The MCET Team The MCET Team (1) B%D0%B5%D1%9A%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B8-%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1 %82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82/; (2) mk/ekspertska-debata-bogohuleneto-i-slobodata-na-govorot 7 (1) (2) (3) 8 (1) (2) (3) 9

54 52 MACEDONIAN CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN TRAINING TELMA TV The MCET Team 24VESTI TV The MCET Team RADIO FREE EUROPE The MCET Team The MCET Team