Raising awareness among women for continuous care and protection of their health in the Municipality of Gostivar

Monitoring matrix

No.Monitoring criterionStatusDescription & commentsSource
I. Implementation of the monitored measure
1.1Budget funds allocated in the municipality's 2026 budget for implementing the measure No

The Programme allocates MKD 100,000 to this measure. Following the budget reallocation, the overall Equal Opportunities Programme was reduced by MKD 1,000,000. However, it remains unclear whether, and by how much, funding for this specific measure was reduced, as well as the amount still allocated. The Municipality confirmed that it would cover 70% of the costs, with medical practices contributing the remaining 30%.

• Official Gazette of Gostivar Municipality No. 14, dated 29 December 2025.
• Official website of Gostivar Municipality: https://gostivari.gov.mk/042/mk/archives/2629
• Official Gazette of Gostivar Municipality No. 9, dated 31 August 2026 – Decision promulgating the Conclusion on the adoption of the revised 2026 Municipal Budget, No. 08-1963/1, dated 31 August 2026.
• Written response received by email from the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports.
• Record of a telephone conversation with the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports at Gostivar Municipality (30 September 2026).

1.2Public 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, but has been continuously implemented for approximately seven years, in accordance with the Programme. The same information was reiterated at the meeting held on 29 September 2026

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality held on 29 September 2026.

1.3The necessary preconditions for carrying out activities related to the measure are in place (e.g. permits, preparatory activities, staff, etc.) Yes

Preparatory consultations have been held with medical practices to assess needs and the number of female patients. Due to rising examination costs, the Municipality is expected to cover 70% of expenses, with medical practices contributing the remaining 30%. An event is planned for mid-October as part of “Pink October,” a month dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the fight against breast cancer.

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality held on 29 September 2026.

1.4Concrete activities related to the measure are being implemented No

As of the meeting held on 29 September 2026, no activities had commenced to implement the measure. Activities related to the measure are planned for October 2026.

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality held on 29 September 2026.

II. Transparency and accountability of the municipality/institution
2.1The municipality (i.e. the responsible institution) regularly shares information about the measure on its website and social media No

During the reporting period, no information on the measure was found on the Municipality’s official website. Representatives of breast cancer advocacy organisations reported difficulties accessing information, particularly on social media, often having to contact municipal staff directly. According to the field survey, 83.9% of respondents had not noticed any information, announcements or activities related to free mammography screenings in the previous three months.

• Official website of Gostivar Municipality: https://gostivari.gov.mk/042/mk/pocetna
• Minutes of the meeting with When in Trouble and members of Borka held on 29 September 2026.
• Field Questionnaire 2 – Gostivar, conducted on 29 September 2026.

2.2The municipality (i.e. the competent institution) responds to requests for public information submitted about the specific measure No

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 held on 29 September 2026.
• Written response by email from the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports at Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.

2.3The 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 shares 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 a further request, the Municipality also provided a written response by email.

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.
• Written response by email from the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports at Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.

III. Citizen participation in decision-making
3.1Citizens are involved in decisions related to the implementation of the measure No

According to information provided by the Municipality, the measure is developed through consultations with healthcare practices to assess needs and determine the number of female patients. However, it was not confirmed whether citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs) participated in these consultations. During the meeting with When in Trouble and members of the “Borka” association, the women emphasised that they had not been consulted during the preparation of the measures and that the support they receive does not adequately address their needs.

• Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.
• Minutes of the meeting with Women in Trouble and members of the “Borka” association, dated 29 September 2026.

3.2Citizens 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.
According to the field survey findings, this situation may be partly attributable to the low level of public awareness of the measure. Specifically, 83.9% of respondents reported that they had not noticed any information, announcement, or activity related to free mammography screenings in the previous three months.

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.
Field Questionnaire 2 – Gostivar, conducted on 29 September 2026: https://forms.gle/E7JTqSi5fbG8KwjY6
Written response by email from the Senior Associate for Youth and Sports at Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.

Citizens were involved in the implementation of the specific measure through:
3.3.1Public assemblies, debates and forums Yes

During the reporting period, no information was received regarding public gatherings, debates, or forums organised by the Municipality specifically in relation to the measure. Activities related to the measure are planned for October.
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 gather citizens’ views on these measures, assess their level of awareness, determine whether they had been involved in their development, and understand how they perceived the availability of information and the Municipality’s transparency.
According to the participants’ responses, 51.8% of respondents had attended an event organised by the Municipality at some point. Among those who answered affirmatively, 8.9% had participated in a public forum and 6.7% in a public hearing. These responses refer to municipal events in general and do not confirm participation in an event specifically related to the monitored measure

• Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.
• Field Questionnaire 2 – Gostivar, conducted on 29 September 2026: https://forms.gle/E7JTqSi5fbG8KwjY6

3.3.2Possibility 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 quarterly report (1 April–30 June 2026). No data were obtained on the use of mobile applications, electronic forms, or other digital participation mechanisms related to free mammography screenings.
According to the field survey, respondents most commonly receive information about municipal programmes and measures through Facebook (55.4%), local media (35.7%), and friends and acquaintances (33.9%). The Municipality’s official website was cited by 17.9% of respondents, while 5.4% cited civil society organisations. These findings identify the main information channels but do not confirm electronic participation in decision-making or the implementation of the measure.
Furthermore, 41.1% of respondents believe that the Municipality does not provide sufficient opportunities to express opinions and views, 28.6% consider these opportunities partially sufficient, and only 5.4% responded positively. These assessments concern opportunities for participation in general.

• Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026.
• Field Questionnaire 2 – Gostivar, conducted on 29 September 2026: https://forms.gle/E7JTqSi5fbG8KwjY6

3.3.3Municipality 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.
According to the field questionnaire, 35.6% of respondents who answered the question about the type of municipal event they had attended reported having attended an open day. This figure reflects respondents’ previous attendance at municipal events in general and does not confirm participation in an open day related to free mammography screenings during the reporting period.

Minutes of the meeting with a representative of Gostivar Municipality, dated 29 September 2026

Stagnation
Municipality Gostivar
Organisation Union for Gender Equality: National Network “Women for Women”
Financial indicator (municipality) Open