North Macedonia

Poll workers in North Macedonia during the 2017 elections.

North Macedonia has made considerable democratic progress since achieving independence, as evidenced by its active and diverse civil society, legal system reforms and strengthened legislative branch. IFES supports North Macedonia stakeholders in their pursuit of reform for a more transparent, democratic governance. IFES has more than a decade of targeted electoral assistance in the Balkans and more than three decades of technical elections expertise

In supporting North Macedonia’s ongoing democratic development, IFES delivers targeted assistance to election management bodies from the State Election Commission (SEC) down to regional and local commissions to professionalize election administration and thereby build confidence among voters. IFES also works with citizens’ groups overseeing elections to understand new rules and regulations related to political finance; election dispute resolution; voter and candidate registration; and youth leadership and empowerment to improve electoral practice and citizens’ engagement with their government. IFES’ assistance efforts in North Macedonia are funded by both U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).