Since February 2025, our team has been actively working with the residents of the village of Ropotovo, as part of the initiative to improve energy efficiency and sustainable living. In addition to the advisory sessions at the premises of the Municipality of Dolneni, together with the local population, we conducted individual assessments of the energy efficiency of their homes and business buildings. The assessments were carried out using a specially developed questionnaire, which allowed for a precise analysis of the current situation.

As a result of this fieldwork, we developed and assigned 4 individual energy efficiency plans for households in the community. These plans contain specific recommendations for improving insulation, reducing energy losses and optimal use of renewable sources, in order to reduce costs and improve the quality of life.

👉 “With this plan, we finally know what we can improve and how to save. We got ideas that we never thought could make such a difference to our bills and heat at home.” — says one of the residents of Ropotovo, a participant in the initiative.The activities will continue in the coming period, with the expansion of assessments and the development of plans for other households in the village. With this, the Green Resource Hub continues to be a partner of communities for a more sustainable, more economical and healthier environment.

The activity is part of the project: “Smart Green Village for a Sustainable Future”, which is implemented with the support of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans.

“The security sector is synonymous with secrecy. Covert operations, secret services, wiretapping, undercover agents. Transparency in this sector is often seen as an oxymoron, while accountability appears to be a nearly impossible mission.”This is how the documentary produced by the BIRC Institute, with the support of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), begins. The film examines security sector reforms and their impact on the country’s democratic development.

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The walls of secrecy surrounding the security sector have been built in the name of national security. Public access to information has long been restricted to prevent potential threats. This was particularly evident during the Cold War. In the 1990s, as the Soviet Union collapsed and democratic waves spread globally, some of these barriers fell. This period saw the exposure of numerous scandals previously hidden from public scrutiny.
Oversight of the security sector is crucial
Metodi Hadzhi-Janev, a security expert and university professor engaged by DCAF, conducts training and workshops for civil society organizations and the media. His goal is to promote effective civilian oversight of intelligence and security services. He is also part of C3I, an organization that has developed indicators to assess the performance of intelligence services, focusing on transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.
“In democratic states, oversight of the security sector is essential because it wields immense power—unmatched by any other institution. To prevent abuses, oversight mechanisms must function as correctives to ensure these services operate within legal and ethical boundaries,” Hadzhi-Janev said.
Abuses within security agencies have underscored the need for stronger oversight, making this issue a fundamental prerequisite for normal state functioning. However, implementing effective oversight remains a significant challenge.
“Obstacles to oversight vary between societies and often reflect cultural, historical, or political factors,” Hadzhi-Janev noted.
Legal framework needed to regulate intelligence services
North Macedonia’s security sector has undergone several reforms aimed at establishing a democratic framework and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Current legislation provides a foundation for better oversight and transparency, but continuous and inclusive reforms are necessary.
“A legal framework is essential for intelligence oversight. While the existing laws are not inherently flawed, their enforcement is problematic. Obtaining security clearances is exceptionally difficult, even for those authorized to conduct oversight. Additionally, intelligence personnel must be educated on their accountability and the necessity of external scrutiny,” said Iskra Koroveshovska, editor at TV Alfa.
Despite progress, North Macedonia’s security sector remains largely opaque—similar to other countries where national security often takes precedence over human rights.
“Our intelligence services have some level of openness—they maintain websites, publish annual reports, and engage with the public to some extent. The Intelligence Agency, for instance, provides insights into its activities. However, compared to the UK’s MI5 and MI6, which operate with greater transparency and public engagement, North Macedonia still lags behind,” said Aleksandar Stojanovski, an author of a study on the transparency and accountability of intelligence services in the UK, Slovenia, and North Macedonia, conducted under DCAF’s intelligence sector reform program.
Effective oversight is key to greater transparency and accountability
Without robust oversight, secrecy within the security sector can become problematic, particularly amid global conflicts that heighten security threats. Effective oversight is crucial for enhancing transparency and accountability, but it requires concrete steps.
“First, awareness must be raised, followed by capacity-building efforts. Public debate should highlight why transparency matters and how it benefits national security,” Hadzhi-Janev said.
Stojanovski emphasized that “media outlets possess some capacity to monitor intelligence services, but this must be expanded. Civil society organizations, meanwhile, remain limited in this field.”
While parliament and the government play vital roles in oversight, civil society and the media are equally crucial for independent monitoring. Transparency requires openness and access, while accountability demands mechanisms for responsibility.
“These indicators are the result of extensive research, including workshops and analysis. They help improve transparency, reduce public skepticism, and ensure intelligence services operate efficiently,” Hadzhi-Janev added.
The effectiveness of civilian oversight depends on the capacity of media and non-governmental organizations. In North Macedonia, few media outlets have the resources for in-depth investigative reporting, while civil society organizations lack the necessary specialization.
One of the participants in these training programs, Koroveshovska, remarked: “Media oversight capacity is minimal. After 20 years in journalism, I only recently learned—through DCAF training—how to cover intelligence services effectively. This highlights the significant gap in journalists trained for this field.”
(This documentary was produced in April 2024)

The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) has implemented its regular survey of trust in the civil society. In 2024, the index of trust in the civil sector reached 42.9%, which is an 8.2 percentage points drop compared to 2021. The trust in civil society organizations is 39.4%, with a significant…

“Together We Are Stronger” 💪— This was the title of the national conference organised in North Macedonia 🇲🇰 by our partner organisation Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and other Disabilities from Veles. The conference, as supported by Kvinna till Kvinna and Sweden, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of women and girls with disabilities. The […]
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Panel discussion on the topic: Violence and women with disabilities on the campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. We remind you that fighting to end violence against women and girls is an on-going, everyday battle. Let’s create a world where every woman feels safe, respected, and empowered— a world where the rights of […]
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  People with disabilities gave out cards to honor 8th of March—International Women’s Day! People with disabilities, who are members of the Association for Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities in Veles, were diligent and made 90 8 th of March greeting cards last week to honour International Women’s Day. Seeing their faces light up as […]
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Today, the Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disorders – Veles organized a one – day training for the following social services: “Assited Living”, “Home Assistance and Care” and “Personal assistance”, and our administration staff. The main focus of this training was teamwork, communication skills and occupational “burnout” syndrome. Lead educator of this […]
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Skopje/Dubrovnik – Finance Think – Economic Research & Policy Institute, Skopje, and the University of Dubrovnik’s Center for Research of Digital Transformation (CREDO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in research, capacity building, and academic exchange.
The MoU, signed on March 18, 2025, by Dr. Blagica Petreski, CEO and Chief Economist of Finance Think, and Prof. Dr. Nebojša Stojčić, Founder of CREDO and Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, establishes a framework for joint initiatives in economics, public policy, and digital transformation.
As two leading institutions recognized for their excellence in economic research and digital transformation, this partnership brings together Finance Think’s expertise in data-driven policy analysis and evidence-based economic solutions with CREDO’s cutting-edge research in digital transformation, business innovation, and economic competitiveness.
Under this agreement, both institutions will join forces in several key areas to advance research and knowledge exchange. A strong emphasis will be placed on joint research projects, where Finance Think and CREDO will collaborate on high-impact studies in economics, public policy, and digital transformation. Recognizing the importance of capacity building, they will design and deliver specialized training programs, workshops, and seminars aimed at equipping researchers, students, and professionals with cutting-edge skills and insights. In addition, the partnership will enhance international collaboration through Erasmus+ and other EU-funded initiatives, facilitating staff exchanges, joint project applications, and coordinated implementation efforts. The two institutions will also prioritize knowledge sharing, ensuring the open exchange of research findings, data, and academic resources to drive innovation and strengthen their respective fields. Finance Think and CREDO will work closely on academic and policy engagement, co-organizing conferences, producing joint publications, and contributing to evidence-based policymaking.
“As a leading research institute dedicated to shaping economic policies through rigorous analysis, Finance Think is excited to collaborate with CREDO. Together, we will advance research and capacity-building efforts that contribute to economic resilience, digital innovation, and sustainable development in the region,” said Dr. Blagica Petreski, CEO of Finance Think.
Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Dr. Nebojša Stojčić, Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, stated, “This partnership marks an important step in enhancing regional cooperation in economic and digital transformation research. Both Finance Think and CREDO have built strong reputations for excellence, and by combining our expertise, we aim to drive meaningful policy impact and support academic development in our respective fields.”
The MoU is effective immediately and will remain in force for three years, with the possibility of renewal. Both institutions are committed to leveraging their strengths to foster innovation, research excellence, and cross-border academic cooperation.