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.

USAID’s Strengthening Resource Mobilization Activity Key Results ENG

SRMA Key Results 2021- 2024

Opstinata na dlanka

Bashkia nе pеllеmbе tе dorеs

Opshtinata na dlanka SRMA

Bashkia nе pеllеmbе tе dorеs SRMA

Kodeks za transparentnost na lokalno nivo_MK

Kodi i transparences ne nivel lokal_AL

USAID SRMA – Flyer on Tax Property MK_pdf

USAID SRMA – Flyer on Tax Property ALB_pdf

USAID SRMA Infographic Results Jan 2021 to Jan 2022_pdf

Fact Sheet_pdf

Analysis of capital transfers_pdf

Contract Management and Transparency Guide_pdf

Прирачник за буџетирање во единиците на локаната самоуправа во 7 чекори

Прирачник – Водич за воспоставување на јавно приватни партнерства во општините-МАК

Doracak për themelimin e partneritetit publik privat në nivel lokal -ALB

A Journey of Transformative Governance and Growth Arachinovo

USAID Partnership Empowers Local Leadership in Rankovce

USAID’s Initiative Transforms Tax Collection and Local Governance in North Macedonia- August 2023 -ENG

The Radovish Success Story in Resilience and Strengthening Local Capacity MK

The Radovish Success Story in Resilience and Strengthening Local Capacity

Implementer: Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo

Implementation period: November 2015 – May 2016

Funding mechanism: Subcontract with SEGURA Consulting, implementer of the USAID Regional Economic Growth (REG) Project

Objectives
The assessment aims to define the future areas of assistance to be provided by USAID to Macedonia to strengthen its Business Enabling Environment through the successful public-private dialogue process. It has been funded as part of the Regional Economic Growth (REG) Project, implemented by SEGURA Consulting LLC. Specifically, this assistance comes under the Balkan Regional Economic Development Initiative (B-REDI), a regional platform designed to support economic growth activities in Macedonia, Albania and Serbia. This assessment was carried out by REG’s local partner for implementation of PPD and RIA activities in Macedonia, the Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo Skopje.
The overall objective is to help Macedonia assess and analyze the existing public-private dialogue mechanisms and platforms, and to provide recommendations for strengthening existing mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of public-private dialogue.

Activities
The proposed implementation of this assessment included the following activities:

• Assessment of the current situation and challenges in the area of public-private dialogue;
•  Organization of consultation sessions with different stakeholder communities to achieve highest level of involvement and contribution;
•  Definition of recommendations for future steps in line with stakeholder capacities;
• Sharing and review of the assessments and recommendations among the three countries (Albania, Macedonia and Serbia), to see if there are any best practices that can be shared and replicated;
• Participation in a regional PPD/BEE Workshop to present the results and potential opportunities for next steps and opportunities of joint efforts in the region.

The Assessment on PPD in Macedonia, can be found at the following link.

Implementer: Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo

Implementation period: March, 2015 – December 2015

Funding mechanism: Subcontract with Booz Allen Hamilton, implementer of the USAID Investment Development and Export Advancement Support (IDEAS) Project

In the early stages of its operations, during 2015, IDEAS DePo was subcontracted by Booz Allen Hamilton to implement a part of USAID’s IDEAS Project program activities, in the area of Public Private Dialogue (PPD) and Inspection Reforms. The main beneficiary of the implemented activities and the support provided was the Government of Macedonia and the relevant institutions in the specified areas (among which: Ministry of Information Society and Administration, Inspections Council – IC, National Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Council – NECC, State Market Inspectorate, State Labor Inspectorate, Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations, etc.).

The main activities were:

Public Private Dialogue

• Support to the NECC (National Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Council) – Assistance to the NECC in operational issues; Education assistance for NECC staff and the NECC members; Support to NECC committees in performing their operational mandate.
• Support to the implementation of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and ENER https://ener.gov.mk/Default.aspx as a PPD instrument – Assistance to MISA to improve the RIA system and the ENER PPD mechanism; campaign to improve public awareness about the ENER in the business and civil community; Improvement of knowledge of the public sector on ENER use.
• Strengthening capacities of CoCs and BAs to engage in PPD – Improve their capacities and approach to dialogue, moving from a passive to an active position commensurate with the position of a contributing party to the process, to make them a completely relevant counterpart of the GoM in offering solutions to problems, based on facts and systematic research and reports.

Inspection Reforms

• Assisted in creation of methodologies and techniques for conducting inspection supervision – Developed an Inspection Methodology Manual for conducting inspection supervision, defining necessary technical instruments and sources of information and institutional linkage of relevant inspection authorities.
• Implementation of Quality Management Standards in the Inspection Authorities and Promotion and raising awareness of the Inspections Council’s new tools and methodologies
• Capacity Building of the Inspections Council (IC) and relevant Inspectorates – Designed and conducted general and specific trainings and educational programs; Organized a study visit in Austria for exchange of knowledge and experience;
• Creation of a comprehensive web-site for IC, which encompasses all relevant data in regard to IC legal mandate, as well as all inspection authorities.

Implementer: Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo

Implementation period: October 12, 2015 – October 15, 2019

Funding mechanism: Subcontract with SEGURA Consulting, implementer of the USAID Regional Economic Growth (REG) Project

Objectives

Overall objective of this initiative was to support trade facilitation reforms in North Macedonia in line with its national priorities and international commitments under the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (WTO TFA) and the CEFTA Agreement.

More specifically, the initiative aimed to:

• Increase the awareness of public and private sector institutions on the goals and main requirements of WTO TFA and strengthen their capacity for implementation of trade facilitation reforms in line with the Agreement.
• Support the establishment and operation of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) as a mechanism for inter-agency coordination and inclusive public-private dialogue for more efficient and effective implementation of country’s trade facilitation agenda.
• Assist leading trade facilitation agencies to implement specific trade facilitation reforms, such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program, e-customs, reforming of the licensing regime, etc.

Activities

Assistance was provided through combination of activities designed in close coordination with beneficiary institutions from the public and the private sector, including but not limited to:

• National workshops and seminars relating to specific trade facilitation topics.
• Participation of representatives of North Macedonia’s government and companies at regional events organized by the REG Project and its international partners to enable exchange of experiences and best practices for advancement of the regional trade facilitation agenda.
• Technical assistance and advice relating to implementation of specific policies for facilitating and simplifying cross-border procedures.
• Drafting of documents and procedures aimed at strengthening the mechanisms for dialogue and improving private sector access to relevant information.

Assistance activities were designed in a flexible manner, in close cooperation with the beneficiary institutions and wherever necessary, in coordination with other donors and international organizations active in the field of trade facilitation – the World Bank Group, CEFTA, WTO, WCO, UNECE and GIZ.

Contact information

Gordana Tosheva, Project Manager

gordanatoseva(at)ideasdepo.mk