USAID Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA)
Implementer: Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo
Implementation period: February 1, 2021 – December 22, 2025
Funding mechanism: Subcontract with DT Global (formerly CARDNO), implementer of the USAID’s Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA)
Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA) is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The overall objective of the USAID/North Macedonia Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA) is to measurably increase local governments’ own-source resources and external funds and increase their budget execution rate in compliance with the Government of North Macedonia’s (GoNM) budgeting and reporting requirements.
The SRMA Activity is working with local and central governments to, in order of priority, 1) enhance the quality of municipal tax and fee collection systems; 2) increase Local Government Units (LGUs)’ capacity to access external resources from the national government or international organizations’ funds and/or capital markets and banks; 3) improve LGUs’ ability to plan, manage and implement public sector revenues in compliance with GoNM’s regulations; and 4) enhance the decentralization process.
The SRMA activity is consisting of four interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives and at the end of the period of performance, the local governments must measurably demonstrate:
i. “Own-Source Revenues” Increased
- Effectiveness of tax and fee collection systems enhanced;
- Operational capacity of local tax administration strengthened;
- Public revenue accountability improved; and
- Own-source revenue increased.
ii. Greater Amounts of External Funding Accessed
- Local governments’ capacity to prepare viable projects ready for funding strengthened; and
- Amount of external development funds secured by local governments increased (such as IPA and GoNM capital investment funds)
iii. Local governments’ Budget Execution Rate Increased
- Local governments’ budgetary planning and execution improved;
- Local governments’ compliance with reporting requirements improved;
- Local governments’ information sharing budget planning and execution with the public enhanced; and
- Effective system for continuous professional development of LGUs project management staff in place.
iv. Decentralization Process Enhanced
- Improved efficacy of national government processes that affect local governments’ local economic development efforts; and
- Fiscal decentralization strengthened.
IDEAS DEPO in collaboration and partnership with Cardno Team, as a major subcontractor throughout the activity, is leading the implementation of Objective 4 “Decentralization Process Enhanced”, supporting the MEL activity and reporting, and providing capacity building and strategic communication support across the four objectives. IDEAS DePo is contributing innovative methods and tools to support the Learning Agenda and overall achievement of the program goal of the USAID North Macedonia Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity (SRMA) activity. IDEAS DePo is also responsible for delivering direct implementation under Objective 4 as needed and as per the adopted and approved SRMA Work and MEL Plans.
