(MK) Single Initiative 2022 – Electoral Support Programme

Initiative for better living conditions and environment improvement in the Roma community in Kochani

This initiative will monitor the degree of implementation of the 2021 election promise related to “Improved living conditions of the Roma community in the Municipality of Kocani through increased waste collection and creation of recreational green areas for young and elderly people”. Community mobilization activities will include: citizen survey; creation of citizen task force aimed to monitor the activities of the local self-government related to the electoral promise; three-party agreement (NGO, Mayor and public enterprise for communal hygiene) including an action plan for implementation; guerilla actions and press conferences.

The subject matter of the local monitoring refers to maintenance of cleanliness in public areas in the Roma community in the municipality of Kochani.

Implementer

Centеr for community development Svetla Idnina Kochani

Location

Kochani

Budget

300000 denars

Status

Active

MONITORING MATRIX

I. Status of the monitored item

	Monitoring criteria	Status	Brief description and comments	Source of information
1	Implementation
1.1	A decision has been reached to start the implementation of the monitored item	Nо		Secretary of the municipality of Kochani Inspector the municipality of Kochani
1.2	A procurement process is being/has been carried out related to the monitored item	N/A	It is not necessary, the cleaning of illegal landfills and the public sanitation program are carried out by the municipal enterprises	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
1.3	Informative meetings and gatherings with stakeholders have been held	Yes		Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk) FB page of the organization kocani232 - facebook page svetla idnina
1.4	An implementation plan has been prepared for implementation of the monitored item	Nо	There is currently no implementation plan, however in the coming months an action plan will be initiated to improve the living environment in Kochani.	Secretary of the municipality of Kochani, Environment Department
1.5	Necessary prerequisites to start with the implementation have been provided (e.g. permits, preparatory activities, staff, etc.)	Yes	Activities on the ground clean-up of landfills are visible, however, these activities are insufficient, they do not prevent further pollution	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk) FB page of the organization kocani232 - facebook page svetla idnina
1.6	The municipality is implementing specific activities from the implementation plan	Yes	Activities on the ground clean-up of landfills are visible, however, these activities are insufficient, they do not prevent further pollution	Visible on the website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk) FB page of the organization kocani232 - facebook page svetla idnina
1.7	Initial results from implementation of the monitored item are visible	N/A	More specific results are expected in December and the beginning of 2023	Secretary of the municipality of Kochani Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
2	Stagnation
2.1	Lack of funds in the municipal budget	Yes	The municipality lacks the funds necessary to implement the program for 2023 due to the energy crisis, which is why certain priorities are lacking behind	Secretary of the municipality of Kochani
2.2	Lack of one/some of the basic prerequisites	Nо		Inspector the municipality of Kochani
2.3	The implementation of the monitored item is no longer a priority	Nо	The monitored project and the issue is a high priority for the Municipality of Kochani	Secretary of the municipality of Kochani Department of Local Economic Development
2.4	Halted due to an inspection, investigation, etc.	Nо		Secretary of the municipality of Kochani
2.5	The reasons for the stagnation of the implementation of the activity are unknown	N/A	No stagnation	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)

II. Transparency and accountability of the municipality related to the monitored item

	Monitoring criteria	Status	Brief description and comments	Source of information
1	Information about the status of the monitored item is available on the municipality's website and social network	Nо	Information regarding the status of the project can be found on the FB page of the "Svetla Idnina" organization, which is currently working on this issue	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk) FB page of the organization kocani232 - facebook page svetla idnina
2	Information about the status of the project is obtained through a Request for Access to Public InformationInformation about the status of the monitored item is obtained through a Request for Access to Public Information	Yes		Public Relations Officer
3	Information about the status of the monitored item is shared with stakeholders by municipal officials (via e.g. interviews, focus group discussions, meeting requests etc.)	Yes	Within the framework of the project, a crisis group was formed - 21 participants from the community partook in this event, in which they became familiar with the project and its current activities.	The organization is the project holder, citizens of the Roma community
4	There is practice of informal information sharing by the municipality with affected citizens (e.g. via informal discussions etc.)	Yes	reports from citizens information from citizens	The NGO "Svetla idnina" in Kochani, often converses with the citizens and shares municipal information regarding the project's progression

III. Citizen participation in decision-making related to the monitored item

	Monitoring criteria	Status	Brief description and comments	Source of information
1	The municipality has involved the citizens in decision-making related to the monitored item	Yes	Events organized by the Municipality of Kochani	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
2	Citizens have filed an initiative for participation in decision-making related to the monitored item	Yes	The NGO has submitted several initiatives on the monitored issue, which is why the aforementioned ad hoc activities will be held in the field.	President of the Svetla Idnina organization
3	Citizens participate in the implementation of the monitored item with their input and resources	Yes	Actions on landfill and street garbage cleanings are implemented through the municipality,civil organizations, or actions on tree planting, in order to prevent waste.	FB page of the organization kocani232 - facebook page svetla idnina
4	Mechanisms utilized by the municipality to ensure citizen participation, specifically as related to the monitored item:
4.1	Public gatherings, debates and forums	Yes	The municipality often organizes public events such as budget forums, thematic forums, etc. but there is no information on the discussion of this issue	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
4.2	Possibility for e-participation via mobile apps, website(s), electronic templates, etc.	Yes		Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
4.3	Open days of the municipality	Yes	The municipality often organizes open days, where citizens of the Roma community can participate and give suggestions on issues for the improvement of the environment and living conditions in the community.	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)
4.4	Citizen initiatives	Yes	The organization Svetla Idnina has submitted several initiatives, which implies that the municipality has adopted this system.	Website of the municipality (kocani.gov.mk)