The government of the Republic of Macedonia has published an advertisement for financial support in the amount of 50 million denars i.e. 800.000 euros for activities by civil organizations and foundations.
According to the advertisement that was published in “Dnevnik” daily newspaper, these grants are divided into two categories.
The grants in the amounts starting from 1.845.000 denars (or 30.000 euros) and up to 3.075.000 denars (or 50.000 euros) or in total amount of 36.9 million denars or 600.000 euros will be granted to projects for corruption prevention, the rule of law, democracy, human rights, good governance, social cohesion and local self-governance. Following are public health projects and healthy ways of living, economic development, sustainable development, rural development, culture and traditions, youth projects, family and family values, as well as euro-integrations, new technologies, social media, new media, and information technologies.
The second category features minor grants in the amounts of 5.000 to 10.000 euros or totally 213.000 euros for projects aimed at increasing the economic growth and employment, for integration of Macedonia in the European Union and NATO, uncompromising fight with corruption and crime, efficient law implementation and projects for education investments, innovations and information technology.
This advertisement was announced three months ago by the former Prime Minister and current leader of VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski in his “mega-interview” for the internet edition of the weekly magazine “Republika.”
-Every government provides more serious amounts for the civil sector, without influencing its work. When it comes to Macedonia, we failed that, and that is certainly the first and most important measure in the plan for desorosoization of the society, as we mentioned in our proposal. Funds have to be found in order for help to be provided for the development of the underdeveloped civil sector in Macedonia. In the future, the civil sector mustn’t be left out in the hands of Soros and foreign government – said Gruevski in the interview.
The government’s advertisement for financing civil organizations and foundations comes 3,5 months after Gruevski’s speech at the protest in front of the State Election Committee when he announced his party’s announcement and announced a desorosoization of the country’s non-government sector.
-We will fight against the desorosoization of the Republic of Macedonia and for strengthening the independent civil sector that won’t be under anybody’s control. We shall start regulating the domain of financing the foundations and the NGO sector as it is done at the most advanced democracies in the world – said Gruevski at the time.
The advertisement comes during a time of a government which authorizations are questioned as it is led by an acting Prime Minister who like most of the ministers are part of the executive power and are MPs at the Parliament.
