Parliament Support Programme (PSP)
Switzerland supports the Assembly of North Macedonia to become an effective, transparent and independent institution by supporting the Parliament’s institutional development, its oversight and legislative capacities and its transparency and accountability towards citizens, including marginalized groups. This includes changes to the regulatory framework, the promotion of a political culture of consensus building, capacity building for MPs, parliament staff and CSOs and improved electronic architecture for effective and transparent communication.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North Macedonia |
Governance
Democratic participation and civil society
Public sector policy Public finance management |
01.11.2017
- 31.08.2023 |
CHF 6’913’000
|
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Foreign private sector North
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Democratic participation and civil society
Public sector policy and administrative management
Public finance management
Cross-cutting topics The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project number 7F08790
| Background |
North Macedonia’s Assembly is a unicameral parliament (120-123 Members of Parliament (MPs), elected every four years - last in December 2016, of which 38 women MPs). In the past, the work of the Assembly has been characterised by ineffective oversight, limited debate on legislation, and little interaction with civil society. With a recent change in power and a faster approximation towards the EU the Parliament leadership - with Swiss support - has adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan (2019-2021) aimed at developing the Assembly’s functional capacities, openness and transparency and effective legislative services.
|
| Objectives | The Assembly becomes a reliable, trusted, and independent institution, safeguarding citizen interests through inclusive debate and decision-making. |
| Target groups |
The project will directly target MPs, the Parliamentary Service and to a limited extent CSOs and citizens as main counterparts in its implementation. All citizens and civil society, including marginalised groups (the poor, women, youth, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTI) are the beneficiaries of PSP. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: The Assembly operates more effectively, inclusively and professionally due to improved institutional and political capacities. Outcome 2: The Assembly implements predictable and transparent rules and procedures and increases analytical capacities to more effectively perform oversight and legislative functions. Outcome 3: The Assembly’s improved transparency and accountability practices enable citizens and CSOs, including marginalized groups, to increase their engagement with the Assembly |
| Results |
Expected results: - improved organisation of and upgrade of methodological processes and technological tools for the Parliamentary Service - regular informal and formal policy dialogue - predictable parliamentary calendar - ex-post and ex-ante legislative analysis (focus on regulatory impact assessments and fiscal scrutiny); increased capacities of MPs to review and debate laws and of staff to support committees - revision of regulatory framework on oversight - improved regulatory framework for involvement of citizens/CSOs - upgrade of the parliament website, e-parliament system, provision of on-demand searchable video recordings of plenary and committee sessions - civic education to citizens including marginalised groups on their civic rights and responsibilities in the policy making process. Results from previous phases: - average grade of citizen trust in the Assembly is 4.5 (on a scale of 1 to 8). - 42% MP discussions with one or more arguments; - only 29% of citizens perceive the parliament to have control over the executive. - No laws currently adopted based on a predictable calendar, only 30% passed using regular procedure - 37% of citizens believe parliament is open to citizens - Parliament has a static website and no post-factum searchable video recordings of parliamentary sessions (only live broadcasts) |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector Implementing partner National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Assembly of North Macedonia
|
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Swiss projects: Civica Mobilitas, Elections Reform Project; Parliament support projects of USAID, OSCE/ODIHR, Dutch and British Embassy/WfD |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 6’913’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 6’512’335 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF 11’000’000 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.11.2017 - 31.08.2023 (Completed) |
