State Funding for Associations at the Central Level in 2025 Concentrated in Two Sectors: Social Affairs and Culture

In 2025, civil society organisations received MKD 732,599,601 in revenue from the central government budget, equivalent to approximately EUR 11.9 million. Of this amount, MKD 724,206,126 was allocated through public calls, while MKD 8,393,475 was allocated without a public call. State funding at the central level accounted for 8% of civil society organisations’ total revenue, compared with 4% in 2023. However, although the amount has doubled compared with two years ago, it remains insufficient, and funding continues to be concentrated in the social affairs and culture sectors, which account for 82% of all funding allocated at the central level.

By budget beneficiary, the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth (MSPDY) allocated by far the largest amount, totalling MKD 463,821,837. This represents approximately 63% of all funding allocated from the central budget. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) ranked second, with MKD 136,747,069. Unlike in previous years, both the MSPDY and the MCT increased their allocations. In the case of the MSPDY, funding increased almost fourfold, due to social services. See further details below.

The largest grant from the central budget in 2025 amounted to MKD 34,232,104. It was awarded by the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, which also awarded the smallest grant, amounting to MKD 5,740. Among the largest grants awarded by other institutions were those from the Ministry of Local Self-Government, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. See further details below.

In the revised Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2026 (Official Gazette No. 174/26), MKD 878,088,000, or EUR 14.2 million, has been planned under budget item 463 – transfers to non-governmental organisations. This is more than in previous years; however, as much as MKD 816,825,000, or 93% of the planned funds, is allocated to the MSPDY. Although the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, and the Ministry of Economy and Labour provide funding to associations and foundations, they do not plan these funds under budget item 463, but under other budget items. This makes it more difficult to track the funds and prevents organisations from adequately planning their programme activities. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Sport have also planned funding, but these funds are allocated to political parties, sports federations and athletes. They are therefore excluded from this overview, since political parties are excluded under the Law on Associations and Foundations (LAF), while sports organisations are additionally regulated by the Law on Sport and follow entirely different funding arrangements linked to specific criteria for sporting performance and the organisation of competitions.

State Funding at the Municipal Level

In 2025, municipalities allocated a total of MKD 113,391,994 to civil society organisations, equivalent to approximately EUR 1.8 million. The largest amounts were allocated in the Southwestern Region, with MKD 21,287,045, and the Southeastern Region, with MKD 20,815,226. These were followed by the Pelagonia Region with MKD 16,626,238, the Skopje Region with MKD 16,383,132, the Vardar Region with MKD 13,991,633, and the Eastern Region with MKD 10,581,690. The smallest amounts were allocated in the Polog Region, with MKD 8,606,400, and the Northeastern Region, with MKD 5,100,630.

Among the municipalities, Ohrid and Bitola ranked highest, allocating MKD 14,221,045 and MKD 12,986,800, respectively. Together, they allocated almost one quarter of all municipal funding for civil society organisations. Ohrid alone accounted for two-thirds of the funding allocated in the Southwestern Region. Dojran, one of the smallest municipalities in the country, also ranked high, with MKD 6,475,966. It was followed by Gostivar with MKD 6,327,000, Veles with MKD 5,687,000, Shtip with MKD 5,547,190, Gevgelija with MKD 4,494,910, and Strumica with MKD 4,228,200. In Skopje, the largest amounts were allocated by the municipalities of Centar (MKD 4,100,000), Gazi Baba (MKD 3,970,000), Aerodrom (MKD 2,100,000), and Gjorche Petrov (MKD 2,019,185).

In total, state support for associations at the central and local levels amounted to MKD 845,991,595 in 2025, or approximately EUR 13.7 million. Funding allocated at the local level by municipalities accounted for only 13% of the total state support allocated.

This year, as in previous years, despite the increase, state funding remains far below the target of accounting for 30% of civil society organisations’ revenue. The high concentration of funds within a single ministry and the allocation of funding without transparent, accountable public calls demonstrate that reform of state funding is more necessary than ever. Such reform should bring greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in the use of public money.

At the same time, in 2025, the long-stalled process of amending the Law on Associations and Foundations (LAF) was reactivated. The Ministry of Justice established a working group involving civil society organisations through networks and platforms, as well as through the Council for Cooperation between the Government and Civil Society. Representatives of public institutions and academia also participated in the group. The draft law was published on the National Electronic Register of Regulations (ENER), where approximately 130 comments were submitted.

Read more information about State Funding.

We advocate for reform of state funding for civil society organisations!