Presentation

Macedonian Civic Platform
 

The Macedonian Civic Platform was founded on 16th March 2004 by a group of civil society organizations, enthusiasts from the country. It is an open place for thinking, democratic disputes of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and mutual connection for efficient action of civil society organizations dedicated to building a civil society in Macedonia. The platform gathers and mutually connects civil society organizations (and other participants in the Macedonian civil society), but has no intention to be a body that will exclusively represent the Macedonian civil society. Platform’s legitimacy will be a result of its ability to strengthen civil society (civil sector), to implant and provide organization and constancy. MCP is a successful example for taking initiatives, in spite of the fact that it is an informal network of civil society organizations. MCP’s serious approach towards challenges that the civil sector faces in the Republic of Macedonia has built the principles upon which the Platform performs, has built a structure and procedures that are reflection of transparency and equal approach towards both the members of the platform and other civil society organizations in the country. MCP has permanent and temporary bodies. Permanent bodies are: the Council, Committee and Secretariat, as well as other work groups, thematic committees etc. The Council has a leading role in the process of defining the principles and strategic directions. The Council comprises 33 members, representatives of civil society organizations and individuals committed to building the civil society in Macedonia. The committee has an executive role and it comprises 11 members.

In the period 2004-2006 the MCP Secretariat was managed by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation. The beginning two-year period of coordination was very important for MCP growth, when the constructive dialogue between the MCP members was effectively and successfully built. Clear principles of work, structure, effective functioning of MCP bodies was set. It all resulted in the financial support by the European Agency for Reconstruction to the MCP work program for 2006-2007, completely realized by the MCP members. Equal and serious approach towards all MCP members is the choice of the Center for Civic Initiative from Prilep as new manager of the Secretariat in 2006. In the spirit of decentralization, the trust that has been given to the organization with headquarters outside the capital city is a proof that MCP is a place where each serious and successful civil society organization can give its contribution for building a more constructive civil sector. The activities projected within the program for MCP work are directed towards: communication improvement, coordination and cooperation of the civil sector; development of a domestic support system (legal framework, ethic standards, responsibility and transparency, efficiency of the civil society organizations, demonstrating results and image building); establishing partner relations with the state sector, business sector and international organizations and agencies in the Republic of Macedonia for setting up participative democracy and socially responsible business sector. MCP is financed through a membership fee and self-financing activities.

MCP is open for all civil society organizations in the Republic of Macedonia. Criteria for membership are: the form of organization, achieved results, financial and human resources, internal organization (active democratic structures, representation, relations with membership and the target group), relations with other actors, reporting and transparency. All interested civil society organizations can require a membership application in the MCP Secretariat on 048/400 480 or email: marina@cgimk.org.mk.