News from CSOs

Online advertisements should have so-called (digital) fingerprints, so that it can be tracked who pays for those advertisements, for or against whom they are intended. Such fingerprints of advertisements should not only contain as much information and detail as possible but should also be kept in appropriate files so that there could be greater transparency, and they could be easier to track. These were some of the conclusions that Magnus Öhman, Senior Political Finance Advisor at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), shared at today’s briefing with journalists in Skopje, organized by the Metamorphosis Foundation and IFES, within the framework of the project “Money, Media and Elections in North Macedonia.” Dr.Magnus Öhman gave a comparative perspective on political advertising around the world, as well as some of the good practices, saying:
– Paid online funding, as expected, represents the largest share of political funding during elections. For example, in the last two months of last year’s US presidential election alone, $700 million was spent on Meta and Google alone, out of a total of $1.2 billion spent on online advertising during the campaign
Dr. Magnus Öhman (Photo: personal archive)
Dr.Öhman emphasized that a single country should not be taken as an example to completely rewrite the system, the law on financial reporting, especially since, in his opinion, many of the regulatory frameworks and laws lag behind new methods of political advertising. He emphasized the example of Donald Trump, who during the presidential election allocated less funds for political advertising and turned more to influencers and online commentators.
This is exactly what Emilija Petreska Kamenjarova from the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services spoke about at last week’s panel discussion. She pointed out that the media regulation covers influencers who share videos on online platforms in order to inform, entertain or educate users, and from that they make economic profit. And with the new rulebook that the Agency is to adopt this year, the criteria for which influencers will be subject to legal regulation will be specified.
“It is sufficient to reference online advertising in the [electoral] code,” says Dr. Öhman, “which would provide adequate oversight, thereby allowing regulatory commissions the opportunity to clarify the method of reporting and informing on online advertising, define what constitutes online political advertising, and specify what does not”
He also emphasizes that it is not only “states”, i.e. political entities, that are obliged to be as transparent as possible about advertising funding, but also the platforms and advertisers themselves where these ads are placed. In other words, how much money the candidates have allocated, how much and from whom the platforms have received it.
He emphasizes that EU regulations will only now need to be harmonized among member states, especially since they themselves have different laws on political advertising. Thus, аll member states will monitor the alignment separately, and the EU Commission will monitor candidate countries such as North Macedonia.
Furthermore, Dr. Öhman shared several good practices that are good to implement. The so-called (digital) imprints were emphasized several times, with which it would be possible to track who pays how much for those ads, for or against whom they are intended. Such imprints would be collected in some kind of files, similar to the Meta and Google ad libraries. As a positive example resembling such a system, the “Political Advert Repository” or PADRE from South Africa was singled out.
PADRE is actually an initiative of the South African Electoral Commission that aims to systematize online and digital political advertisements into easily accessible libraries that will increase transparency in electoral processes.
Photo: Screenshot from the South African Political Advert Repository, PADRE
Although, as Dr. Öhman shared and as can be seen from the website itself, the library is empty and has yet to be filled, the goal is to make the process as easy and quick as possible. This is the second good practice recommendation that Dr. Öhman shared. He believes that this process of reporting political advertising funding should be made simpler, so that it can be monitored.
The last example Dr. Öhman shared is adding some kind of code to the ads themselves. These codes would be placed beneath the ad and could be accessed in a file like PADRE. Alternatively, the codes could include a link that redirects to a library, where you can view the details of the ad’s origin, including the individuals responsible and the amount paid for the advertisement.

Source: Truthmeter.mk

We are proud to present our newest book “The Path Forward – Lessons from the Western Balkans’ Food and Energy Insecurities”, an international publication now available on #Amazon, published by #LambertPublishing!

This compendium of studies analyzes the biggest ongoing economic challenges in the Western Balkans – the energy crisis, rising food prices, fiscal resilience, and government policies. How is the region tackling these crises? Which measures are working, and where is there room for improvement? Our book provides concrete recommendations for a stronger economy and sustainable development.

WEBecon Network, the only regional network of economic think tanks, proudly supports this publication, continuing its mission to shape evidence-based and data-driven policies.

Support this initiative – share, read, discuss!

ACIT

The production of the studies and the book has been generously supported by SMART Balkans.

We are pleased to inform you that the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with the Metamorphosis Foundation, is organizing an international conference titled “Clicks, Money, and Influence: The Roles and Responsibilities of Online Media in Elections.” The conference will be held on 4-5 March 2025 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Skopje.
The two-day event will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen transparency and oversight of paid political advertising during election campaigns, including on online platforms. The sessions will cover various topics, such as paid political advertising, institutional roles, and the evolving conditions of the digital era. Best practices, technological solutions, and regulatory approaches will be shared to promote transparency, accountability, and accuracy in overseeing online platforms.
The conference is organized within the framework of the project “Money, Media, and Elections in North Macedonia,” supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government.

📢 In today’s discussion with the business sector, we talked about:📈 Business sector practices for productivity and labor force activation, with a special focus on women.⚙️ The needs and necessary regulatory and policy changes to boost productivity and fully utilize the economic potential of women. 🚀🎯 We validated the designed recommendations from our research.
The discussion was organized in collaboration with the British Business Association in North Macedonia and supported by the British Embassy Skopje.
Stay tuned!

Violence against women cannot be eradicated as long as there is an unequal distribution of power and unequal opportunities for all.

On 24th of February, our Association held a roundtable discussion on the importance of gender equality in preventing violence against women and girls. During the discussion, which was organized by the  National network to end violence against women and domestic violence in cooperation with LET Station, were discussed women’s labor rights, rural women and their right to maternity leave, and women’s poverty.

Ana Avramoska Nushkova from the National network to end violence against women and domestic violence spoke about how to organize specialized services for women victims of gender-based violence, and Vesna Shapkoski from LET Station spoke about health care for women from rural areas, highlighting the rights to maternity leave, the rights of women farmers, and limited access to various services.

As part of the Media4EU project, carried out by ALDA, Eurothink, and BIRC, eight thematic forums were organised across North Macedonia’s eight administrative planning regions. These forums served as a collaborative platform for journalists, civil society representatives, and experts from diverse fields to come together and engage in meaningful discussions.
Each forum focused on region-specific topics, such as consumer rights, the free movement of workers, agriculture, ethnic group rights, education policies, transport policies, fisheries, and environmental issues. The events took place in Skopje, Shtip, Strumica, Kumanovo, Bitola, Veles, Ohrid, and Tetovo, all of which are cities in North Macedonia, with renowned experts and trainers facilitating the discussions. These forums offered an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas and a more in-depth exploration of local concerns.
Veles Forum: Aligning Transport Policies with European StandardsAt the thematic forum in Veles, participants discussed the importance of transport policies in alignment with European standards, as well as the need for improved communication between the media and local authorities. Throughout the event, ideas were exchanged on how to enhance the flow of information between departments responsible for public relations in local institutions, with the aim of fostering more interactions between journalists and the civil sector.
Strumica Forum: Promoting EU Funding and Agricultural AwarenessLikewise, at the thematic forum in Strumica, participants were engaged in debates and discussions. They advocated for stronger collaboration between media outlets, NGOs, and local authorities to promote EU funding opportunities, raise awareness of agricultural policies, and encourage farmers to actively participate in these initiatives.
Ohrid Forum: Tackling Fisheries and Environmental ChallengesThe Ohrid forum focused on the challenges confronting fisheries and the environment. Speakers examined the current situation of fisheries in North Macedonia and highlighted the pressing need for effective communication regarding EU funding opportunities. Participants also underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and the role of the media in raising public awareness of these vital issues.
Shtip Forum: Addressing Labour Law and Workers’ RightsIn Shtip, media representatives and civil society organisations gathered to discuss labour law and workers’ rights. The discussions focused on the challenges of labour shortages caused by youth emigration and broader demographic trends across Europe. While North Macedonia’s labour laws largely align with EU standards, the forum highlighted shortcomings in their implementation and enforcement. The conversations resulted in recommendations for new legislation on labour disputes and collective bargaining, drawing on Austrian examples, as well as calls for stronger non-discrimination policies and the ratification of pertinent international conventions.
Bitola Forum: Advancing Education, Culture, and Youth DevelopmentThe forum in Bitola focused on education, culture, and youth development within the framework of North Macedonia’s European integration. Key discussions centred on aligning domestic legislation with EU standards, especially concerning the Erasmus+ programme and cultural initiatives. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogues on educational policies, media communication strategies, and the need for increased investment in the youth and cultural sectors. The forum also acknowledged the changing role of both social and traditional media in public discourse, providing valuable insights for future policy development aimed at aligning the country’s educational and cultural practices with European standards.
Overall, the Media4EU initiative has greatly increased awareness and strengthened capacity within North Macedonia’s media and civil society sectors, offering essential support for the country’s journey towards European integration. Through these thematic forums, the project has effectively facilitated continuous dialogue between civil society, media, and government bodies. The insights and recommendations gathered from these discussions will play a key role in shaping future strategies to promote regional development and encourage collaboration. As the project progresses, it remains dedicated to ensuring that local voices are heard and included in the broader European conversation, working towards a future where regional challenges are addressed through collective action and shared knowledge./ https://www.alda-europe.eu/media4eu-thematic-forums-north-macedonia/

📃 We awarded certificates to 50 employees of Comfy Angel from Prilep, who actively participated in the 🚀 Excellence and Personal Growth Program (PILN). These certificates confirm the skills and knowledge they have acquired to increase productivity and strengthen human capital.
🔢 This program is part of our efforts to apply data and analytical findings directly in the field, within the real sector. ✅️ Our goal is to create meaningful changes that improve the work environment, foster personal development for every employee, and unlock women’s economic potential.
👱‍♀️ The participants’ satisfaction with the program is undeniably high. Their comments speak for themselves: “For the first time, we felt that someone cares about us, the workers.”, “We are grateful for the opportunity to learn so many new things.”, and “Change is truly felt.”
🇬🇧 British Embassy Skopje

The Metamorphosis Foundation’s Initiative to align our legislation with the EU Digital Services Act has been accepted by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and included in its 2025 Work Programme.
Aligning the legislation with the Digital Services Act will support North Macedonia’s EU integration goals, improve its digital regulatory framework and provide a safer and more predictable digital environment for citizens and the business community.
This decision acknowledges the Metamorphosis Foundation’s efforts in promoting digital rights and internet security, as well as its commitment to fostering a fair and open online environment. At the same time, it supports the integrity of the consultative mechanism.
The Metamorphosis Foundation has produced an analysis of North Macedonia’s readiness to align national legislation with the EU Digital Services Act, which offers a detailed overview of the existing legal framework, identifies legal gaps and challenges, and gives concrete recommendations that can serve as a guide to effective alignment.

A safe internet for all!

The digital world offers many opportunities but also presents challenges. On Safer Internet Day, we emphasize the importance of digital services and our rights. Watch the video to learn how the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is making the internet safer for all and discover how its new rules protect us online—from ensuring algorithmic transparency to combating disinformation.

Together we can create a better and safer internet!