Assessment of the poverty effects of Covid-19, with a focus on the most vulnerable categories of citizens

The aim of this project is to assess the risk of poverty imposed by the Covid-19 crisis, with special reference to the groups most at risk, and to raise awareness of the use of the measure to facilitate entry into the system of guaranteed minimum assistance.

Specific objectives include:

  1. To evaluate / simulate the effect of the Covid-19 crisis on poverty, with special reference to gender poverty;
  2. To make a qualitative assessment of the effect of the Covid-19 crisis on the target groups: women and youth at social risk, informal workers, recipients of social assistance and Roma;
  3. To assess the fiscal implications of the measure for relaxation of the criteria for obtaining guaranteed minimum assistance;
  4. To raise awareness of the eased entry into the system for guaranteed minimum assistance;
  5. To propose measures for evidence-based policies, with potentially narrower targeting of the target groups.

 

Donor: The Government of North Macedonia

Duration: July – December 2020

 

 

Responding to the socio-economic effects of COVID-19 by supporting vulnerable groups of low-paid workers, workers who are part of the informal economy and temporary workers

The main goal of the project is to reduce the socio-economic consequences of the crisis caused by Covid-19 on vulnerable categories of workers.

 

Short-term goals of the project include:

  • To measure the socio-economic effects of the Covid crisis on vulnerable categories of workers,
  • To examine the views and experiences of the target groups on the socio-economic effects of the crisis and the utilization of government measures and assistance,
  • To help policymakers make informed decisions based on evidence, data and recommendations, ie new measures and interventions to mitigate the effects of the crisis on vulnerable categories of workers,
  • To increase the representation capacities of the local associations, in order to timely and informed representation of the vulnerable categories of workers before the policymakers,
  • To increase public awareness of the socio-economic effects of the crisis, the measures available to deal with it and the need to introduce new measures and policies aimed at these categories of workers.

Donor: Open Society Foundation Macedonia

Duration: July 2020 – June 2021

Socio-economic assessment of the medium- to long-term effects of Covid-19 on child-related sectors

The aim of the project is to conduct a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the mid- to long-term effects of Covid-19 on the sectors related to children, namely: social protection, education and health care.

The analysis will perform a quantitative simulation, using micro-data, on the effects of the crisis on child poverty and related indicators. In a separate section, the analysis will focus on the implications of and on public finance in relation to these sectors.

 

Client: UNICEF

Duration: May-June 2020

 

Interactive and multi-stakeholder mechanism for tracking fulfillment of economy-related political promises

The aim of the project is to promote monitoring and measurement of economic goals and results of political-government programs, by using evidence, findings and data and by encouraging multi-stakeholder engagement.

The action will achieve the following results:

R.1 A framework for measuring economic goals and results has been set, in the context of political and governmental programs, through the use of evidence, findings and data;

R.2 Skills have been developed for stakeholders to critically analyze the possible and achieved results of political promises in the area of economics;

R.3 Stakeholders enrich public discourse through critical, argumentative and lively debate on the feasibility, results and cost of political promises in the economy.

 

Donor: Civica Mobilitas

Duration: May 2020 – May 2022

 

Promoting evidence and dialogue for enhancing state aid’s effect onto consumer welfare in North Macedonia

The objective of the action is to promote evidence and foster dialogue on the role of state aid for consumer welfare in North Macedonia.

The specific objectives of the action include:

  1. To understand existing forms of state aid in North Macedonia (direct subsidies, tax exemptions, discounted loans etc.) and their (mutual) consistency within the overall anti-trust legislation in the country;
  2. To produce robust evidence on whether state aid distorts competition on the market, with application on the paramount governmental program for subsidizing companies in North Macedonia and dwelling on the ‘market economy operator’ principle;
  3. To improve the dialogue among stakeholders, as well raise public awareness, on state aid, alignment with EU Acquis and consumer welfare.

 

By having achieved these objectives, the action will significantly contribute to enhancing the role of state aid for the market competition and efficiency, and hence onto consumer welfare.

 

Duration: February 2020 – February 2021

Donor: Balkan Trust for Democracy – Norwegian Embassy Belgrade