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- Title
ANNOYING BUZZERS OR PRODUCTIVE BEES? THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE POLICY MAKING PROCESSES IN NORTH MACEDONIA.
- Authors
Naumoska, Jasmina Trajkoska; Rizankoska, Josipa
- Abstract
Regulatory impact assessment, since 2019, is a compulsory approach for adopting regulations in North Macedonia. Very small number of laws are being drafted according to the self-imposed methodology by the legislative body, and there is very a little transparency and inclusion of the relevant stakeholders (including the CSOs). Our main question in this article is what the role of the CSOs/think tanks in the public consultation processes in North Macedonia is.We also ask: what is the level of preparation in terms of human and material capacities of CSOs for participation in the RIA? What are CSOs' objectives regarding their inclusion in the policy making processes and what are the main challenges for active participation in RIA? In this article we offer a descriptive analysis of the short history of RIA in North Macedonia, we present the methodological approach to the empirical analysis of the original data coming from a survey with representatives of 50 North Macedonian CSOs, we present the main empirical results and we offer final conclusions with policy recommendations. The first conclusion coming from the data presented in this article is that lack of political will and transparency by the authorities exclude CSOs from the RIA processes. Moreover, the 'abuse' of the shortened procedure for law adoption skips the consultation phase and thus leaves CSOs out of the process. The inclusion of CSOs in the policy making processes, therefore, should be understood by the authorities as a substantial tool for improving the regulations, which shall be reflected in the economic and social improvement in the country. In that course we claim that CSOs should closely cooperate among themselves as well as with the state institutions which should 'open' the administration and create trust between the civil sector and the state. We argue that the CSOs in North Macedonia lack human and financial capacities to be included in the RIA processes, while at the same time they are very much interested in such activity. Yet, CSOs lack understanding of the importance of their own role in the strategic planning in policy making processes. We, therefore, claim that a more transparent and timely consultation processes could lead to a better inclusion of CSOs in RIA and therefore improve the quality of the legislation in North Macedonia, and in return the countries' EU future.
- Subjects
MACEDONIA; REGULATORY impact analysis; CIVIL society; STAKEHOLDERS; STRATEGIC planning
- Publication
Knowledge: International Journal, 2020, Vol 38, Issue 5, p1049
- ISSN
2545-4439
- Publication type
Article