Increasing Accountability and Promoting the Concept of Informed Consumers and Citizens, Service Users and Rights Through: (MK0080)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Macedonia, Second Action Plan, 2014-2016
Action Plan Cycle: 2014
Status: Inactive
Institutions
Lead Institution: Council for Consumer Protection of the Government of Republic of Macedonia and Organization of Consumers of Macedonia
Support Institution(s): Ministry of Economy
Policy Areas
Capacity Building, Public ParticipationIRM Review
IRM Report: Macedonia End-of-Term Report 2014-2016, Macedonia Progress Report 2014-2015
Starred: No
Early Results: Marginal
Design i
Verifiable: Yes
Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information , Civic Participation
Implementation i
Description
Increasing accountability and promoting the concept of informed consumers and citizens, service users and rights through:
IRM End of Term Status Summary
XIX. Open Government for Consumers
Commitment 7.1: Open Government for Consumers
Commitment Text: 7.1. Increasing accountability and promoting the concept of informed consumers and citizens, service users and rights through: 1) Targeted awareness-raising] in the individual domains of consumer protection; 2) Significantly increased support to civil society working in the domain of education, counseling and consumer information (includes compulsory education); 3) Regular meetings Held of the Council of consumer of the Government upon constitution of [new members and publication] of findings and recommendations; 4) Workshops with all stakeholders in recognition of […] legislation and the need to further regulate. Meetings held with […] Consumer Councils at level of local government for cooperation in education, information and advice to citizens; 5) Held meetings with existing and newly formed Consumer Council at the level of local government for cooperation in education, information and advice to citizens.
Responsible institution(s): Council for Consumer Protection of the Government and Organization for Consumer Protection
Supporting institution(s): Ministry of Economy
Start Date: 1/7/2014 End Date: 31/12/2016
Commitment aim
This commitment supported the implementation of the amended legal framework for consumer protection that, among other things, strengthened the operational structures.
Status
Midterm: Limited
There was little progress on this commitment at the midterm. No further information regarding this measure was contained in the government’s self-assessment report. Activities were focused on raising awareness and capacity building through workshops and training. Local consumer councils were established in some municipalities, including Skopje,[Note 149: EC, Annual Progress Report for 2014, 56.] but their work was limited in smaller and less developed municipalities. The national Consumer Council met only once in 2014.[Note 150: On 17-18 December.]
For more information, please see the 2014-2016 IRM midterm report.
End of term: Limited
The government’s self-assessment report did not contain any information on this commitment. In addition, there was no working group for this area during the second year of implementation or during consultations for the preparation of the third action plan. In its end of term self-assessment report, the government noted that the second OGP action plan focused on “six priority areas,”[Note 151: MISA, Information for the Work of the Working Groups for The Implementation of the OGP National Action Plan 2014-2016, along with an End-term Self-Assessment (Skopje: 2016), 2.] omitting the commitment on consumer protection. Although the government did not officially withdraw this commitment, the IRM researcher could not find evidence of any actions by the government in this area.
As in the first year of implementation, the activities carried out by the Organisation for Consumers Protection focused on education and capacity building.[Note 152: Organisation for Consumer Protection, Annual Report for 2015, (Skopje: OCP, 2016), available at: http://bit.ly/2dvpalU [in Macedonian].] The only exception was the cooperation with the City of Skopje, where the organisation effectively helped the city implement its program for consumer protection, including a study on consumer satisfaction and protection of utility services in Skopje.[Note 153: Marijana Loncar Velkova, Aleksandar Nikolov, Dusko Todorovski, Ivo Kostovski, Protection of Rights and Interests of Consumers of Utilities. (Skopje: OPM, 2016), available at: http://bit.ly/2iKfhFD [in Macedonian].] The EC also noted no progress in consumer protection.[Note 154: EC, Annual Progress Report for 2016, 76.]
Did it open government?
Access to information: Did not change
Civic Participation: Marginal
Consumers’ rights in Macedonia remain one of the most violated in the country,[Note 155: Ombudsman for the Republic of Macedonia, Annual Report for 2015, Skopje: 2016, available at: http://bit.ly/2cFiKPw. ] according to the number of annual complaints filed by citizens to the Ombudsperson. Civil society organisations and experts have identified the lack of efficiency of the current consumer protection structures, and have recommended further legal reforms.[Note 156: Marijana Loncar Velkova, Aleksandar Nikolov, Dusko Todorovski, Ivo Kostovski, Associations of Consumers in the System for Consumer Protection: Recommendations for Improvement of their position in Macedonia, (Skopje: OPM, 2016), available at: http://bit.ly/2dhMJQu [in Macedonian].] Some of the problems that consumers face include no unified system for receiving and handling consumer complaints, insufficient funding from the state for consumer protection, and legal barriers to collective legal action and representation in consumer protection cases. The commitment sought to support and advance consumer protection in the country, including through transparency and citizens’ participation.
This commitment improved civic participation for consumers only marginally. This was mostly due to cooperation between the Organisation for Consumers’ Protection and the City of Skopje, in which the organisation assessed citizens’ satisfaction with utilities and proposed recommendations for improvements. The IRM researcher found that the number of municipalities that have established a council for consumer protection increased from eight in 2014 to 29 in 2015, but no evidence of their work was available on their websites or through a review of electronic media.[Note 157: The following local self-governments have councils: Skopje, Tetovo, Cashka, Ohrid, Petrovec, Gazi Baba, Mavrovo i Rostuse, Gostivar, Bitola, Zrnovci, Kocani, Vasilevo, Centar, Valandovo, Kicevo, Ohrid, Shtip, Kavadarci, Veles, Ceshino-Oblesevo, Prilep, Karpos, Aerodrom, Krivogashtani, Vinica, Kriva Palanka, Kisela Voda, Bogdanci and Berovo. ] The IRM researcher contacted 12 randomly selected municipalities.[Note 158: Skopje, Tetovo, Cashka, Ohrid, Petrovec, Gazi Baba, Mavrovo i Rostuse, Gostivar, Kocani, Vasilevo, Centar, and Veles.] Apart from the City of Skopje, no other municipality has active councils. Six stated that there was no established council, while five contended that a formal council existed, but did not hold meetings in 2015 or 2016.
The IRM researcher also could not find evidence in the online media or from the review of the website of meetings by the national Council for Consumer Protection. Finally, the Organisation for Consumer Protection published an analysis of the capacity of civil society working in this area. It found significant gaps in the legislative, institutional, and financial framework supporting their work.[Note 159: Ibid, endnote 7.]
Regarding access to information, the IRM researcher could not find evidence online, through phone interviews with municipal officials, or consultations with local civil society, that the commitment furthered the quantity or quality of information presented on consumers’ rights. All available brochures and bulletins were published before the country adopted these commitments, except a new website launched after the period covered in this report that provides information on organic food, shops, and producers.[Note 160: http://organskisvet.mk/ .]
Carried forward?
This commitment is not reflected in the new action plan. In case the government reconsiders its pledge in consumer protection, the IRM researcher recommends focusing on the following priority areas:
• Legal reform in line with the recommendations of civil society and EU legislation;
• Adequate core support to organisations to effectively monitor protection of the rights as well as effectiveness of the system for consumer protection.
Commitments
-
Awareness-Raising About Access to Information Rights
MK0121, 2018, Access to Information
-
Public Access to Central Register of the Republic of Macedonia
MK0122, 2018, Access to Information
-
Mapping Homeless and Socially Endangered Families and Individuals
MK0123, 2018, Access to Information
-
Monitoring Property Status of Elected and Appointed Officials
MK0124, 2018, Anti-Corruption
-
Assessment of Anti-Corruption Legislation
MK0125, 2018, Anti-Corruption
-
Open Treasury
MK0126, 2018, Access to Information
-
Publishing Procurement Information
MK0127, 2018, Access to Information
-
Health Sector Transparency and Establish a Cost Impact Assessment Mechanism
MK0128, 2018, Access to Information
-
Employment Program Transparency and Impact Assessment Mechanism
MK0129, 2018, Access to Information
-
Cataloging Data Sets in State Institutions
MK0130, 2018, Access to Information
-
Regional Open Data Initiatives
MK0131, 2018, Access to Information
-
Financial Transparency Tools
MK0132, 2018, Access to Information
-
Improvement in Local Public Service Delivery
MK0133, 2018, Fiscal Openness
-
Inclusive Local Decision-Making
MK0134, 2018, Gender
-
To Resilient Skopje Via Data Availability
MK0135, 2018, Access to Information
-
Access to Justice Development
MK0136, 2018, Access to Justice
-
Improving Access to Justice for Marginalized Groups of Citizens
MK0137, 2018, Access to Justice
-
Awareness-Raisinga About Climate Change
MK0138, 2018, Access to Information
-
National Assembly Capacity-Building
MK0139, 2018, Capacity Building
-
Increasing the Financial Transparency of the Assembly of RM
MK0140, 2018, Access to Information
-
Parliamentary TV Channel
MK0141, 2018, Access to Information
-
Citizen Participation in Assembly
MK0142, 2018, E-Government
-
Citizen oversight of legislative processes
MK0143, 2018, Open Parliaments
-
Creation of Open Data Standards
MK0089, 2016, Access to Information
-
Improvement of the Open Data Platform and Its Approximation to the Citizens
MK0090, 2016, Access to Information
-
Rising Awareness of Open Data
MK0091, 2016, Access to Information
-
Cataloging and Categorization of Data Sets Held by State Institutions
MK0092, 2016, Access to Information
-
Open Data Linking on the State Institutions’ Portals
MK0093, 2016, Access to Information
-
Improvement and Facilitation of the Access to Information
MK0094, 2016, Access to Information
-
Implementation of the Law on Whistle-Blower Protection and Raising the Awareness for Whistle-Blowing
MK0095, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Open Data on Property Status of Elected and Appointed Persons
MK0096, 2016, Access to Information
-
Promotion of Integrity, Transparency and Accountability on Local Level and Monitoring the Progress
MK0097, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Promotion of Cooperation and Increased Proactivity in the Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests
MK0098, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Open Budget Initiative
MK0099, 2016, Fiscal Openness
-
Open Data on Health Programs
MK0100, 2016, Access to Information
-
Creating a Legal Obligation for the Contracting Authorities for Mandatory Publication of Information Regarding the Public Procurement Contracts on Their Websites
MK0101, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Involving Representatives of Associations and Foundations, As Well As Other Civil Society Organizations, in Transparent and Objective Manner in Sector Working Groups for Planning and Programming of IPA 2
MK0102, 2016, Public Participation
-
Publication of Data on Signed Contracts and Received Assistance Through Infrastructure Development Program (Orio) Netherlands
MK0103, 2016, Aid
-
Introduction of a Publicly Accessible Register of Concession Contracts
MK0104, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Increased Budgetary Fund Benefits in Preventive and Curative Health Protection for Citizens
MK0105, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Publication of Data on Planned and Realized Domestic and Foreign Assistance for Rural Development and Agriculture on a Quarterly Basis
MK0106, 2016, Aid
-
Determination of Data on State Assistance to Be Published and Their Publication
MK0107, 2016, Aid
-
Developing Standards for Transparency and Open Data on Local Level
MK0108, 2016, Access to Information
-
Establishment of New Tools to Improve Financial Transparency and Accountability of Local Self-Government Units
MK0109, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Improvement of the Institutional Consultation Mechanism at the Local Level
MK0110, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Capacity Strengthening for Cooperation Between the Local Self-Government Units and Civil Organizations
MK0111, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Monitoring and Evaluation of Service Quality at the Local Level
MK0112, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Improvement of the Local Level Social Services
MK0113, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Improvement of Disabled People Social Inclusion at the Local Level
MK0114, 2016, E-Government
-
Improvement of the Local Level Communal Services
MK0115, 2016, Capacity Building
-
More Information for the Citizens on the Ombudsman Institution
MK0116, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Favorable Legal Environment for Social Contracts
MK0117, 2016, Civic Space
-
Developing Climate Policies at National Level in a Transparent and Participatory Manner
MK0118, 2016, Environment and Climate
-
Open Data on Climate Change at National and Local Level
MK0119, 2016, Access to Information
-
Ensuring Private Sector Accountability and Involvement in National Climate Change Action
MK0120, 2016, Anti-Corruption
-
Advancement of the Consultation Process with Stakeholders in the Policy Creating Process
MK0087, 2016, E-Government
-
Cooperation Advancement with the Civil Sector
MK0088, 2016, Capacity Building
-
Enhancement of the ENER Portal and Optimization of the Process of Public Consultation
MK0036, 2014, E-Government
-
Implementation of the Measures from the Strategy for Cooperation of the Government with the Civil Society (2012-2017)
MK0037, 2014, E-Government
-
Strengthening the Rules for Work and Use of ENER
MK0038, 2014, E-Government
-
Publication of the Results of Using ENER - " Mirror of the Government "
MK0039, 2014, E-Government
-
Monitoring of Openness of Government Institutions in the Processes of Policy Making and Law Drafting "Mirror of the Government: Public Participation in the Process of Law Drafting" Annual Report – Assessment Of:
MK0040, 2014, Public Participation
-
Capacity Building of Civil Society Organizations to Monitor the Implementation of Policies
MK0041, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Raising the Awareness About the Benefits of Open Government Partnership:
MK0042, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Greater Public Awareness and Use of Participatory Policy Making Through the Internet Portal e-Democracy by the Institutions, Companies, Chambers, Civil Society and Citizens
MK0043, 2014, E-Government
-
Establishing of an Advisory Body to Promote Cooperation, Dialogue and Encourage the Development of the Civil Society, Composed of Representatives of the Government, Administrative Bodies and Civil Society Organizations
MK0044, 2014, Public Participation
-
Improved Implementation of the Code of Good Practice for the Participation of Civil Society in the Policy Making Process
MK0045, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Open Data of the Bodies and Public Sector Institutions According to Their Technical Features Which They Create in Exercise of Their Powers That Will Be Made Available for Use
MK0046, 2014, Access to Information
-
Setting of Technical Standards for the Data Format and the Manner of Its Publication Prescribed by the Minister of Information Society and Administration.
MK0047, 2014, Access to Information
-
Establishing a Central Catalog of Public Sector Data Published for Use Based on a Catalog of Data from the Bodies and the Institutions of the Public Sector Www.Otvorenipodatoci.Gov.Mk (Opendata.Gov.Mk)
MK0048, 2014, Access to Information
-
Establishing a Database for the Contact Person in the Bodies and Institutions of the Public Sector Where a Contact Person Shall Be Appointed Responsible for the Technical Adaptation and Publishing of Data for Use, Their Publication on the Website of the Authority and Responsibilities for the Accuracy of the Catalog Data Www.Opendata.Gov.Mk.
MK0049, 2014, Access to Information
-
Introducing the Possibility for Submission of a Request by the Interested Parties for New Datasets for Use.
MK0050, 2014, Access to Information
-
Establishing a Platform for Data Mashing (Pilot 11 Institutions)
MK0051, 2014, Access to Information
-
Trainings for Implementation of the Law on Use of Data from the Public Sector
MK0052, 2014, Access to Information
-
Raising Public Awareness About the Right to Free Access to Public Information Through the Created and Conducted Media Presentations and Educational Campaign
MK0053, 2014, Access to Information
-
Establishing of Inter-Sector Working Group for Determining the Compliance with the Convention of the Council of Europe for Access to Public Documents and Setting National Legal Requirements for Accession to the Convention
MK0054, 2014, Public Participation
-
Educating Officers and Officials at the Information Holders (Commission for Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information)
MK0055, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Making a New Web Site of the Commission (Ministry of Information Society and Administration)
MK0056, 2014, E-Government
-
Regular Posting and Updating the List of Information Holders
MK0057, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Availability of All Public Information on the Web Sites of the Information Holders (All Holders)
MK0058, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Improving the Financial and Human Resources of the Commission (Ministry of Finance, the Commission for Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information and the Ministry of Information Society and Administration)
MK0059, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Increasing the Cooperation of the Commission with Associations and Foundations and Municipalities in RM Through Memorandum of Cooperation
MK0060, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Publishing Information About Budget and Program Implementation of Health Budgets, with Particular Focus on the Budgetary and Financial Implementation of Preventive Programs of the Ministry of Health, Obtained Through a Procedure of Access to Public Information Www.Esem.Org.Mk
MK0061, 2014, E-Government
-
Amending the Law on Free Access to Public Information (Ministry of Justice)
MK0062, 2014, Legislation & Regulation
-
Adoption of Amendments to the Law on Prevention of Corruption in the Direction Of:
MK0063, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Implementation of Activities to Raise Awareness of Public Administration and Citizens to Report Corruption and Other Unlawful and Impermissible Actions
MK0064, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Introducing Guidelines to the Integrity System and Their Further Piloting in the Municipalities and Central Level Institutions
MK0065, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Defining a Methodology for Assessing the Risks of Corruption by Updating the Concept of Integrity
MK0066, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Developing a Methodology for Monitoring the Progress of Implementation of Integrity Systems (Integrity Index) for Local Self Governments
MK0067, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Developing a Methodology for Monitoring Progress in Implementation of Integrity Systems by the Civil Society (Through Tools for Social Responsibility)
MK0068, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Continuously Promote the Use of It Tools for Social Responsibility in the Municipalities and Other Institutions
MK0069, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Building the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations to Monitor Anti-Corruption Practices At the Local Level Through Research and a LOTOS Study
MK0070, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Defining the Scope of the Elected and Appointed Persons Who Are Obliged to Submit Declarations of Assets and Interests Statement - Preparation of the Register
MK0071, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Implementation of the Open Budget Initiative
MK0072, 2014, Fiscal Openness
-
Public Procurement
MK0073, 2014, Anti-Corruption
-
Foreign Aid and Foreign Investment
MK0074, 2014, Aid
-
Developing Capacities at Local Level for the Implementation of Mechanisms for Proactive Communication with Citizens
MK0075, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Establish an Electronic Platform (Dashboard) with Indicators for the Budget and Delivery of Local Services
MK0076, 2014, E-Government
-
Improving Local Services Through Direct Collaboration with Citizens
MK0077, 2014, Public Participation
-
Transforming the Part of Local Services in e- Services
MK0078, 2014, E-Government
-
Participatory Policy Making at the Local Level- Obligatory Consultations with Citizens in Drafting/Amending of the Most Important Acts and Documents in the Local Government (Budget, Strategies, Urban Plans, Statute)
MK0079, 2014, Legislation & Regulation
-
Increasing Accountability and Promoting the Concept of Informed Consumers and Citizens, Service Users and Rights Through:
MK0080, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Publication of the Results of the Projects for Evaluation of Public Administration
MK0081, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Inclusive Elementary and Secondary Education for Persons with Disabilities
MK0082, 2014, Education
-
Enforcement Activities of the Center for Safer Internet Action Plan in Accordance with (Inhope Macedonia)
MK0083, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Analysis of the Results Obtained in Field Research at the National Level to Implement the Program
MK0084, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Informing Women on the Rights and the Services Available to Them with the Programme
MK0085, 2014, Capacity Building
-
Increasing Responsibilities and Promote the Concept of Environmental Protection (DEM – AD Treska, Makedonski Brod and Other Stakeholders):
MK0086, 2014, Environment and Climate
-
ENER online Participatory Tool in Legislation Drafting
MK0001, 2012, Public Participation
-
Www.E-Demokratija.Gov.Mk - on Line Tool for Participatory Policy Making
MK0002, 2012, E-Government
-
Introduction of Online Petitions
MK0003, 2012, E-petitions
-
Implementation of the Strategy for Cooperation of the Government with the Civil Society Sector
MK0004, 2012, Public Participation
-
Code of Best Practices for NGO Involvement
MK0005, 2012, Capacity Building
-
Www.Opendata.Gov.Mk
MK0006, 2012, Access to Information
-
Development of Business Model for Open Data
MK0007, 2012, Access to Information
-
Prioritizing Opening of Data
MK0008, 2012, Access to Information
-
Use of Inter-Operable Services as Guidance in Opening Data
MK0009, 2012, Access to Information
-
Plan and Monitor the Implementation of the Plans for Opening the State Institutions Information.
MK0010, 2012, Access to Information
-
Analyses of the Legal Framework Enabling Open Data.
MK0011, 2012, Access to Information
-
Improving Services Through Www.Uslugi.Gov.Mk
MK0012, 2012, E-Government
-
Integration of Citizen Logs, Their Update and Publishing
MK0013, 2012, E-Government
-
‘Traffic Light’ Project for Citizens’ Evaluation of the Administration.
MK0014, 2012, Public Participation
-
Provision of the Government Services Through Cloud Computing.
MK0015, 2012, E-Government
-
Introduction of One-Off Request for the Information from the Citizens.
MK0016, 2012, Access to Information
-
Use of Harm Test. and 2. Publication of Information Gathered Through the Free Access Law
MK0017, 2012, Access to Information
-
Publication of Easy to Search Public Information.
MK0018, 2012, Access to Information
-
Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Public Documents.
MK0019, 2012, Legislation & Regulation
-
Electronic Submission of Requests for Access to Public Character Information.
MK0020, 2012, Access to Information
-
Training of Access to Information Officers.
MK0021, 2012, Access to Information
-
Identification of Low Interest Areas for Business Investments. 2.Publication of Research.
MK0022, 2012, Education
-
Scientific and Research Cooperation Through the Internet.
MK0023, 2012, E-Government
-
Publication of Information from the State Statistical Office for Further Scientific Purposes.
MK0024, 2012, Education
-
Available Information About the Inspectorates
MK0025, 2012, Justice
-
Introduce Integrity Systems for Anticorruption Policies in the Public Administration.
MK0026, 2012, Capacity Building
-
Open Budget Initiative
MK0027, 2012, Fiscal Openness
-
Public Procurements
MK0028, 2012, Anti-Corruption
-
Foreign Assistance and Foreign Investments
MK0029, 2012, Access to Information
-
Opening of Information by the Municipalities
MK0030, 2012, Access to Information
-
Free Access to Information Training Local Self-Government Officials
MK0031, 2012, Access to Information
-
Integrity System on Local Level.1. Established Methodology. 2. Piloting in 10 Municipalities.
MK0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption
-
Promotion of Consumers Information in Selected Areas.
MK0033, 2012, Gender
-
Availability of Information Related To: Roads Safety, Air Quality, Safety of Workers
MK0034, 2012, E-Government
-
Public Health Information
MK0035, 2012, Health