At Europe House in Skopje and online via Zoom, EPI organized the first meeting of the National Consultative Mechanism for the Reform Agenda (N-CoMRa) was held. This multi-sectoral mechanism is composed of civil society organizations with experience and interest in monitoring the Growth Plan, the Reform Agenda and the EU integration process.
The implementation of the Reform Agenda of North Macedonia requires an inclusive approach and active involvement of all stakeholders for the successful implementation of reforms and the advancement of the country’s economic potential. Therefore, the establishment of a platform for open dialogue and cooperation between institutions, the civil society, academia and the business community is crucial.
In this context, EPI, in cooperation with the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA), established the N-CoMRa 2024–2027 as a new national platform for structured, transparent and inclusive evidence-based dialogue. The mechanism enables the exchange of views and monitoring of the implementation of the Reform Agenda within the framework of the EU Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.
EPI’s Director, Simonida Kacarska, emphasised that the goal of the project is to establish a national mechanism for consultation with the civil society, chambers and academia:
“We hope that this is the beginning of a forum for the exchange of experiences on the new instruments of the Growth Plan. It will be one of the channels for discussion on the topics covered by the Growth Plan,” said Kacarska.
The Minister for European Affairs, Orhan Murtezani, pointed out that the mechanism enables a systemic dialogue between institutions and citizens, academia and the business communities:
“This is not just an administrative necessity, but an attempt to create a culture of reform based on trust, accountability and common goals. The aim is to turn the European perspective into reality through the rule of law, energy transition, digital transformation, human capital development and good governance – five interconnected pillars,” he said.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation, HE Ben Nupnau, stressed that transparency and accountability are key to successful reforms and investments:
“The assessment for the first six months is already underway, and the meeting was held in a timely manner. It is necessary for civil society organizations to get involved and monitor the process to ensure that everything is going as it should,” said Nupnau.
In the working part of the meeting, Fikrija Tair-Selmani from EPI presented the project “WB Reform and Growth Monitor” and the role of the N-CoMRa in its implementation. Dragan Tilev and Hristina Koneska-Beroska from MEP presented the activities of the ministry and the responsible institutions in the context of the Reform Agenda.
Other members of the N-CoMRa also presented their activities related to the Growth Plan and the Reform Agenda: the Prespa Institute, the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” – Skopje, the Metamorphosis Foundation and Reactor.
