Monitoring matrix
| No. | Monitoring criterion | Status | Description & comments | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. Implementation of the monitored measure | ||||
| 1.1 | Budget funds allocated in the municipality's 2026 budget for implementing the measure | Yes | Under Decision No. 08-2758/1 of 29 December 2025, Gostivar Municipality allocated MKD 1.5 million to the NGO Etika to support its counselling centre and shelter for victims of gender-based and domestic violence under the “There Is Hope” project (Programme A0, item 463 – NGO transfers). The Equal Opportunities Programme retains a discrepancy between its Albanian and Macedonian versions (MKD 1.5 million and 900,000). The Municipality confirmed MKD 500,000 spent in 2026, but Etika’s funding reduction remains unclear. | • Official Gazette No. 14, dated 29 December 2025 – Programme of Gostivar Municipality’s Activities in the Field of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2026. |
| 1.2 | Public procurements planned and/or carried out in relation to the measure | No | There have been no changes since the previous quarterly reporting period (1 April–30 June 2026). The measure is not implemented through public procurement or a public call. According to the Municipality, support is provided based on a 2023 Council Decision and a Memorandum of Cooperation. The Etika Counselling Centre/Shelter submits an annual request for financial support. | Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality held on 29 September 2026. |
| 1.3 | The necessary preconditions for carrying out activities related to the measure are in place (e.g. permits, preparatory activities, staff, etc.) | Yes | As reported in the previous quarter (1 April–30 June 2026), the measure is included in the 2026 Equal Opportunities Programme. Further research on the Municipality’s official website identified Decision No. 08-2758/1 of 29 December 2025, allocating MKD 1.5 million to Etika for the “There Is Hope” project. Following the budget revision, the Programme was reduced by MKD 1 million, but the remaining allocation for this measure is unclear. | Official Gazette No. 14, dated 29 December 2025 – Programme of Gostivar Municipality’s Activities in the Field of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2026. |
| 1.4 | Concrete activities related to the measure are being implemented | Yes | As reported in the previous quarter (1 April–30 June 2026), the measure continues to be implemented without interruption. During the current quarter, MKD 500,000 was disbursed to support the Etika Counselling Centre/Shelter. | Written response received by email from the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports at Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| II. Transparency and accountability of the municipality/institution | ||||
| 2.1 | The municipality (i.e. the responsible institution) regularly shares information about the measure on its website and social media | No | During the reporting period, no updates on the measure were found on the Municipality’s official website or in publicly available social media search results. According to the field survey, 82.1% of respondents had not noticed any information or activities related to the Etika Counselling Centre/Shelter in the previous three months. Regarding its services, 62.5% were completely uninformed, while 23.2% were only slightly informed. | Official website of Gostivar Municipality: https://gostivari.gov.mk/042/mk/pocetna |
| 2.2 | The municipality (i.e. the competent institution) responds to requests for public information submitted about the specific measure | No | During the reporting period, no updates on the measure were found on the Municipality’s official website or in publicly available social media search results. According to the field survey, 82.1% of respondents had not noticed any information or activities related to the Etika Counselling Centre/Shelter in the previous three months. Regarding its services, 62.5% were completely uninformed, while 23.2% were only slightly informed. | • Official website of Gostivar Municipality: https://gostivari.gov.mk/042/mk/pocetna |
| 2.3 | The municipality (i.e. the responsible institution) shares information about the measure at the request of stakeholders through meetings, interviews, gatherings, etc. | Yes | The Municipality is open to cooperation and provides information upon request from interested stakeholders. On 29 September 2026, a meeting was held with representatives of the National Network “Women for Women,” during which information about the measure was shared. Following an additional request, a written response was also provided by email. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| III. Citizen participation in decision-making | ||||
| 3.1 | Citizens are involved in decisions related to the implementation of the measure | Yes | As noted in the previous reporting period (1 April–30 June 2026), the measure was developed in response to the identified needs of women survivors of gender-based and domestic violence in the Polog region and at the request of ETIKA. The need for support is based on direct work with service users and documented cases. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| 3.2 | Citizens have initiated participation in decisions related to the monitored measure | No | During the reporting period, no information was received regarding requests for meetings or consultations, petitions, civic initiatives, or other forms of citizen participation related to the measure. The monitoring process also identified no other forms of proactive citizen engagement in the measure’s implementation. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| Citizens were involved in the implementation of the specific measure through: | ||||
| 3.3.1 | Public assemblies, debates and forums | Yes | During the reporting period, the Municipality did not organise any public events related to the measure. The National Network “Women for Women” organised a community meeting in Gostivar in the form of a coffee conversation to discuss the measures providing free mammography screenings and support for survivors of gender-based violence. The aim was to hear citizens’ views on the measures, assess their level of awareness, determine whether they had been involved in their development, and gather their perceptions of information accessibility and the Municipality’s transparency. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| 3.3.2 | Possibility of electronic participation via mobile apps, website, online forms, etc. | No | No new information on electronic citizen participation related to the measure has emerged since the previous reporting period (1 April–30 June 2026). As previously noted, the Municipality provides communication opportunities through its website and digital channels; however, citizens’ interest in and use of these channels remain low. This applies to municipal programmes and measures in general. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |
| 3.3.3 | Municipality open days | No | There has been no change in the information reported for the previous reporting period (1 April–30 June 2026). It remains unclear whether the Municipality organises open days, and no information was received during the reporting period about an open day related to the monitored measure. | • Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026. |