“Respecting the Code will protect the integrity of the civil sector”

The first consultative meeting with some of the organizations that signed the Code for Civil Organizations was held yesterday, February 8, 2022, as part of the Civica Mobilitas program. The online workshop, four months after the official promotion and signing of the Code, was attended by 24 representatives of civil organizations (COs).

Participants discussed the implementation of the self-regulation system in groups, exchanging experiences, ideas, and suggestions for broader promotion of the Code within the civil sector. “Mutual cooperation and support is an excellent opportunity to highlight how important the Code is for civil organizations, strengthening its position. With this approach and dialogue, we will contribute to consistent adherence to the Code, protecting its integrity and that of the sector,” said Nikica Kusinikova from Konect.

In addition to the issue of broader promotion, discussions also focused on areas of the Code where further learning and practice are needed. Aleksandra Savevska, project associate at the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCMS), informed about the support for implementing the document. She referred to the results of a survey on this topic, which showed that among the 21 signatories surveyed by the end of 2021, the top three priorities were: the need for further assistance in communication, advocacy, and visibility for 70% of the organizations, good governance for 65% of them, and 55% for building connections with employees, members, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Assistance will be provided by the team responsible for implementing the Code for Civil Organizations. At this stage, work is also being done on an annual timeline for promotional activities, as well as the preparation of an activity plan for promotion that will involve the current signatories. Participants agreed with satisfaction on a joint promotion of this document. The organizations also accepted the proposal to discuss this topic during their events, working groups, networks, workshops, and similar activities, to increase the number of organizations signing the Code.

The Code for Civil Organizations aims to strengthen the self-regulation system and contribute to greater professionalism and accountability. A total of 58 civil organizations have already signed it, and all interested organizations wishing to join the Code can do so by completing the following statement (declaration for acceptance of the Code). The statements should be submitted to the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation at the following email: asv@mcms.mk, and will be reviewed by the signatory organizations as part of an informal network for transparency and accountability of civil organizations.