USAID’s Decentralization Project is assisting Macedonia in the development of more effective, responsive, and accountable local government. It is a continuation of the USAID Local Government Reform Project, which provided technical assistance in the area of decentralization to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, to the Association of Units of Local Government (ZELS) and to the Local Governments. The total value of the project is $11.5 million through July 2007.
The program includes funds designated for (1) IT hardware and software support to selected municipalities to implement their new responsibilities, (2) small scale community improvements that make visible the benefits of decentralization, and (3) grant support for municipal associations. The core structure consists of the Policy Reform team, Association Development team and Municipal Management Services team, all of which are supported by the cross-cutting Citizen Participation team.
The Municipal Good Governance Fund (MGGF) is a funding facility within the Program, with an amount of $3,500,000 designated to support municipal small scale community improvement projects and IT hardware and software procurement for many municipalities in Macedonia. The awards have all been made to projects identified by municipalities with input from citizens, neighborhood associations, NGOs, and the business community. Municipalities were eligible for community projects only if they had achieved milestones in their competences and institutionalized citizen participation practices. (NOTE: All funds are allocated at this time. More information.)
With the passage of the key decentralization legislation, the project focuses its assistance to municipalities on developing the managerial and administrative capacity to successfully assume the new responsibilities under decentralization.
In the majority of municipalities, the project does the following:
1. Supports the establishment of financial management and tax administration capacities, with a special focus on property taxes and relevant local revenues;
2. Ensures regular utilization of citizen participation mechanisms in public decision-making through practicable IT solutions; and,
3. Assists in the implementation of one stop permitting systems that result in improved zoning, city planning, permitting, etc.
The project continues providing support in building the capacity of the following municipal associations, with a special focus on increased financial independence, member service functions and sustainability:
1. Association of Units of Local Self Government (ZELS);
2. Association of Finance Officers (AFO); and
3. Association of Public Communal Services Providers (ADKOM).
The project assists the government of Macedonia in defining a sound secondary legislation and regulatory environment toward the successful implementation of the decentralization process.
The program also assists in the establishment of a regulatory environment for the providers of communal services, which will result in higher collection rates, improved customer satisfaction, and improved financial management.
For more information:
U.S.Agency for International Development
U.S Embassy, Samoilova 21,1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Telephone: +(389) 2 310 2000 Fax +(389) 2 310 2463
USAID Mission Contact:
Afrodita Salja
E-mail: asalja@usaid.gov
USAID Development Outreach and Communication office
Biljana Velickovska, DOC Specialist