Outcome MKD_D_1.2

By 2025, people in North Macedonia benefit from improved rule of law, evidence- based, anticipatory and gender responsive policies, greater social cohesion and effective service delivery by transparent, accountable and responsive institutions (UNSDCF Outcome 4)

In 2025, North Macedonia advanced toward more inclusive and gender-responsive governance, with measurable improvements in how public institutions design policies, allocate resources, and account for gender equality commitments. Although some reforms remain ongoing, institutional practices increasingly reflected gender equality considerations, resulting in more targeted public measures benefiting women and marginalized groups, particularly those facing structural and intersecting forms of exclusion. These developments signal a transition from ad hoc gender mainstreaming efforts toward more systematic integration of gender equality within public decision-making and service delivery, consistent with the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle of ensuring that public policies respond to those furthest behind first. Gender-Responsive Policymaking and Budgeting Delivering Results for Women and Girls Government institutions increasingly incorporated gender analysis into policy and budget decisions, contributing to public programmes that more directly address structural inequalities affecting women. At the central level, 15 line ministries and 7 state institutions applied gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) through the new rulebook on gender budget statements, enabling the introduction and strengthening of targeted measures benefiting women in public health, vocational education and training, access to property rights, and media participation. These measures translated gender equality commitments into concrete policy actions and resource allocations addressing women’s practical needs and socio-economic opportunities. The adoption of the new GRB By-law, alongside the mid-term evaluation of the National Strategy for Gender Equality and the adoption of a new National Action Plan, strengthened policy coherence and institutional accountability, ensuring that gender equality objectives are increasingly embedded within national planning and budgeting cycles rather than addressed through standalone initiatives. UN Women-supported institutional strengthening contributed to improved capacity across public administration to apply gender analysis and evidence in policymaking. As a result, ministries and state agencies increasingly assessed the differentiated impact of policies on women and men and incorporated gender equality objectives into programme design and budget proposals, supporting more equitable and responsive public spending. At the local level, gender-responsive governance translated into expanded services and support for women and marginalized groups. In 2025, 79 gender-responsive municipal programmes addressed priority needs including childcare services, support for survivors of gender-based violence, assistance for children with disabilities, women’s participation in sports, economic empowerment initiatives, and gender-responsive infrastructure improvements. Across 41 municipalities, 92 local programmes were engendered, while four municipalities institutionalized gender equality priorities through two-year action plans guiding local policy and budget decisions. These changes contributed to improved access to services and opportunities for elderly women, women with disabilities, single mothers, rural women, and other groups facing heightened barriers to participation and economic security. Strengthened knowledge and oversight capacities among local officials and councillors supported more informed decision-making and scrutiny of municipal budgets, contributing to the gradual normalization of gender-responsive planning and accountability within local governance processes. Strengthened Oversight and Accountability Driving Institutional Change National oversight mechanisms increasingly played an active role in advancing gender equality accountability. The State Audit Office (SAO) conducted an audit identifying systemic shortcomings in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, including insufficient financing of protection systems for women survivors of violence. By generating evidence on gaps between legal commitments and resource allocation, the audit created a basis for corrective policy and budgetary action and strengthened public accountability for the protection of women’s rights. Enhanced gender-sensitive auditing capacities enabled auditors and senior staff to more effectively assess whether public expenditure and institutional performance deliver results for women and girls. In parallel, regional cooperation on SDG 5, focused on women in leadership positions, supported alignment with international standards and peer learning, reinforcing national efforts to advance gender-responsive governance.

By 2025, people in North Macedonia benefit from improved rule of law, evidence- based, anticipatory and gender responsive policies, greater social cohesion and effective service delivery by transparent, accountable and responsive institutions (UNSDCF Outcome 4)

Although the outcome was not fully achieved in 2024, it is on track as progress was made to improve the legal and institutional frame on gender equality, enhance evidence-based policy making, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and create more effective and gender-responsive service provision. Improved policy frame and institutional capacities on gender equality In 2024, significant progress was made in enhancing the capacity to mainstream gender and integrate gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) into policymaking and budgeting processes. Central level budget users, including 13 line ministries and 8 state agencies engendered sectoral programmes through the application of GRB as an approach. Consequently, women benefitted from sector-specific measures designed to respond to challenges in the areas of public health, vocational education and training, access to property rights, and media. Additionally, the Government facilitated strengthened expertise in GRB by supporting capacity development within public administration, with UN Women’s support. As a result, 106 representatives from 21 line ministries and state agencies are better able to apply gender equality principles, conduct gender analysis, and develop gender budget statements. This laid the foundation for improved integration of gender considerations into future sectoral programs and measures. A t local level, women and the most excluded groups (elderly women, women with disabilities , single mothers, r u i ral women ) benefited from 79 gender-responsive in 2024 local sectoral programs, foreseeing measures that span from childcare, specialized services in response to GBV, assistance to children with disabilities, women in sports, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development. Additionally, two local governments developed strategic documents to advance gender equality and integrate gender into local policy and budget planning cycles. Through the UN Women training and mentoring program on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), 16 representatives from 10 newly onboarded Local Self-Government Units (LSGUs) enhanced their knowledge of GRB principles and practices. Notably, four of the new LSGUs have already submitted gender-sensitive work programs for 2025 to their local councils, demonstrating early application of their enhanced capacity. Strengthened Oversight and accountability towards gender equality commitments In 2024, the State Audit Office led a groundbreaking regional cooperative audit on SDG 5 in cooperation with the Supreme Audit Institutions of Kosovo and Albania. This regional audit thematically focused on assessing government policies and measures for the inclusion of rural women in the labor market, tackling one of the most critical and persisting gender inequality areas in the country and the region. These initiatives for auditing gender equality position North Macedonia and the countries in the Western Balkans among the pioneers conducting gender audits and represent important milestones in ensuring efficient oversight of public spending and strengthening the accountability of the institutions to advance gender equality. EU Integration Processes Better Prioritize Gender Equality Through targeted interventions, UN Women, under GRG Programme Outcome II (GEF), has strengthened institutions, public administration, and civil society in integrating gender equality (GE) into North Macedonia’s EU integration. Collaboration with the State Statistical Office (SSO) led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reinforcing gender-responsive governance through data-driven decision-making. This aligns North Macedonia with the European Commission’s 2024 Progress Report, ensuring systematic gender data collection and analysis per EU standards. The MoU supports meeting EU GAP III indicators and advancing gender-responsive policies. Over seven workshops engaged 175+ participants, including public officials, civil society, and stakeholders, strengthening GE integration. Four workshops trained 60+ officials on embedding gender perspectives into national frameworks. Joint workshops with the Ministry of European Affairs guided 80+ participants on integrating gender into EU policies. Training for 35 civil society representatives and a new Macedonian guideline enhanced advocacy. A Training of Trainers program certified 14 experts to champion GE across institutions. These efforts embed gender equality into EU integration, strengthening institutional capacity, awareness, and collaboration to align North Macedonia with EU standards.