Funding for civil society organisations from municipal budgets primarily focused on sports associations

In 2023, the revenues of civil society organisations from municipal budgets amounted to 290,577,941 denars, or approximately 4.7 million euros. This was revealed in an analysis by the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation, based on information received from 78 municipalities and the City of Skopje. The data was collected through requests for access to public information sent to all 80 municipalities and the City of Skopje. The municipalities of Ohrid and Dolneni did not respond.

According to the received data, the municipalities in the Southeast Region allocated the most funds to civil society organisations. Specifically, the municipalities of Bogdanci, Bosilovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Dojran, Konče, Novo Selo, Radoviš, Strumica, and Gevgelija allocated 88,825,290 denars for activities conducted by civil society organisations. The Municipality of Strumica provided the most funds (42,068,457 denars), while Novo Selo allocated the least (260,000 denars). Of the total amount from Strumica, around 11.9 million denars were allocated to sports associations and organisations, while about 15 million denars went to associations in music and cinema activities.

Municipalities in the Eastern Region (Berovo, Vinica, Delčevo, Zrnovci, Karbinci, Kočani, Makedonska Kamenica, Pehčevo, Probistip, Češinovo-Oblesevo, and Štip) allocated 40,587,940 denars for the activities of civil society organisations. The Municipality of Štip provided the highest financial support, amounting to 16,260,100 denars, of which around 14 million denars went to sports associations and organisations. The Municipality of Pehčevo allocated the least funds (17,000 denars), while Zrnovci reported no funds allocated to civil society organisations.

In the Northeastern Region (Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Rankovce, and Staro Nagoričane), municipalities allocated 34,979,605 denars for the activities of civil society organisations. Kumanovo allocated 26,080,000 denars from its 2023 budget, of which 19.5 million denars were for sports associations and organisations. The Municipality of Staro Nagoričane allocated the least (110,000 denars).

Municipalities in the Vardar Region allocated 49,374,060 denars for civil society activities, making it the second-highest region in terms of allocated funds. Of the nine municipalities in this region (Veles, Gradsko, Demir Kapija, Kavadarci, Lozovo, Negotino, Rosoman, Sveti Nikole, and Čaška), Kavadarci allocated the most (34,382,700 denars), while Lozovo allocated the least (180,000 denars). Of Kavadarci’s total, around 30 million denars were allocated to sports associations and organisations. The Municipality of Rosoman reported no funds allocated to civil society organisations.

The Skopje Region (Aerodrom, Aračinovo, Butel, Gazi Baba, Gjorče Petrov, Zelenikovo, Ilinden, Karpoš, Kisela Voda, Petrovec, Saraj, Skopje, Sopište, Studeničani, Centar, Čair, Čučer-Sandevo, and Šuto Orizari) ranked third with 41,979,517 denars allocated to civil society organisations. The Municipality of Centar allocated the most funds (15,210,000 denars), of which 11.6 million denars went to sports associations and organisations. Studeničani allocated the least (35,938 denars). Several municipalities (Kisela Voda, Petrovec, Sopište, Čair, and Šuto Orizari) and the City of Skopje reported no funds allocated to civil society organisations in 2023.

Municipalities in the Pelagonia Region (Bitola, Demir Hisar, Dolneni, Krivogaštani, Kruševo, Mogila, Novaci, Prilep, and Resen) allocated 24,619,793 denars to civil society organisations. Novaci allocated the most (9,979,516 denars), of which around 9 million went to sports associations and organisations. Krivogaštani allocated the least (161,000 denars).

In the Polog Region (Bogovinje, Brvenica, Vrapčište, Gostivar, Želino, Jegunovce, Mavrovo and Rostuše, Tearce, and Tetovo), 12,175,728 denars were allocated to civil society organisations in 2023. Tetovo allocated the most (5,164,500 denars), while Jegunovce allocated the least (73,600 denars). As in other regions, most of the funds were directed to organisations involved in sports and cultural activities.

The Southwest Region allocated the least funds to civil society organisations (9,036,000 denars). The data for this region is incomplete, as the Municipality of Ohrid did not provide the requested information, even though it allocates a significant sum from the budget line 463 – transfers to non-governmental organisations. The Municipality of Kičevo allocated the most (4,595,000 denars), while Centar Župa allocated the least (73,600 denars).