Electoral Support Programme

Electoral Support Programme

Legalizing buildings without construction permits – closing a historical process or perpetuating a never-ending story?

This initiative will monitor the legalization procedures implementation in the municipality, while mobilizing citizens to contribute to the prevention of illegal construction. Specific community mobilization activities will include: mapping the illegally constructed buildings in several pilot neighborhoods in the municipality of Kisela Voda; collecting data on the number of submitted legalization applications, number of cases resolved and the processing dynamics, as well as the number of decisions of construction inspectors to remove illegally constructed buildings; awareness-raising activities for citizens and similar.

The subject matter of the local monitoring refers to activities taken by the municipality of Kisela Voda to deal with illegal buildings.

Implementer
Animal and Environment Protection Association EQUALITY, DIGNITY, EMPATHY, NATURALISM Skopje
Location
Kisela Voda, Skopje
Budget
300000 denars
Status
Active

MONITORING MATRIX

November 2022

December 2022

January 2023

February 2023

March 2023

April 2023

May 2023

June 2023

  • I. Status of the monitored item
      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 Implementation
      1.1 A decision has been reached to start the implementation of the monitored item N/A For this project, no decision was made regarding the start of the implementation process, it is rather an ongoing process within the Local Self Government.
      1.2 A procurement process is being/has been carried out related to the monitored item N/A The project is not in need of public procurement
      1.3 Informative meetings and gatherings with stakeholders have been held Nо No informative sessions and meetings were held in January with stakeholders regarding this issue Website of the municipality of Kisela Voda (https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/), Social media (https://mk-mk.facebook.com/OpstinaKiselaVoda/
      1.4 An implementation plan has been prepared for implementation of the monitored item N/A The municipality of Kisela Voda has not yet published its annual program and budget, therefore there is no information regarding the planned municipal activities for 2023. The request for access to public information is being developed. Lack of The official Bulletin for 2023 in https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/dokumentacija/2012-11-08-11-54-39
      1.5 Necessary prerequisites to start with the implementation have been provided (e.g. permits, preparatory activities, staff, etc.) N/A The matter does not need to fulfill the prerequisites at this initial stage.
      1.6 The municipality is implementing specific activities from the implementation plan Yes All 2,505 requests for the legalization of illegal constructions received positive response. Out of which only 887 owners paid the fee and received a legalization settlement. The rest have not yet paid the fee, meaning the process is still ongoing. Response given to the request for access to public information
      1.7 Initial results from implementation of the monitored item are visible Yes All 2,505 requests for the legalization of illegal constructions received positive response. Response given to the request for access to public information
      2 Stagnation
      2.1 Lack of funds in the municipal budget N/A The budget of the municipality of Kisela Voda is not yet publicly available. A request is being prepared for access to public information with the hopes of obtaining the data. The official Bulletin for 2023 is not published on https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/dokumentacija/2012-11-08-11-54-39
      2.2 Lack of one/some of the basic prerequisites Nо There are no prerequisites for the implementation of the project
      2.3 The implementation of the monitored item is no longer a priority N/A Due to the unavailable Annual Program for 2023, we lack information on the matter's status. The official Bulletin for 2023 is not published on https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/dokumentacija/2012-11-08-11-54-39
      2.4 Halted due to an inspection, investigation, etc. Nо No inspection, investigation or similar activates were implemented for this matter.
      2.5 The reasons for the stagnation of the implementation of the activity are unknown Nо No stagnation.

  • II. Transparency and accountability of the municipality related to the monitored item
      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 Information about the status of the monitored item is available on the municipality's website and social network Nо Current information regarding the issue has not been published on the municipality's website, the latest published information is the open call for submitted legalization requests due by the end of 2022. website of the municipality of Kisela Voda https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/naslovna/novosti
      2 Information about the status of the project is obtained through a Request for Access to Public InformationInformation about the status of the monitored item is obtained through a Request for Access to Public Information Yes The mobilizers received a delayed response to the request, a supplement was sent during this period, all the same, they did not receive all the information. Certain issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport and communications Association for animal and environmental protection E.D.E.N.
      3 Information about the status of the monitored item is shared with stakeholders by municipal officials (via e.g. interviews, focus group discussions, meeting requests etc.) Nо The official contacts published on the municipal website have been unresponsive and/or phone numbers are not reachable. https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/kontakti
      4 There is practice of informal information sharing by the municipality with affected citizens (e.g. via informal discussions etc.) Yes The municipality uses an informal channel to share information, mainly via the Viber group chat. https://invite.viber.com/?g2=AQBKVmsL9JsoXE4QRUFhgKbAe4JFnoVHwWaqANpBRSF2mF1h5kNcug5Bl3ZBhXIU

  • III. Citizen participation in decision-making related to the monitored item
      Monitoring criteria Status Brief description and comments Source of information
      1 The municipality has involved the citizens in decision-making related to the monitored item Nо The municipality did not hold meetings in January, in the agenda a decision-making session was intended regarding this issue, with the aim of citizen inclusion. Website and social media of the municipality of Kisela Voda https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/ https://www.facebook.com/OpstinaKiselaVoda/
      2 Citizens have filed an initiative for participation in decision-making related to the monitored item N/A No information was provided for this month, there is no feedback regarding communication attempts via phone. Preparations are underway regarding a new request for access to public information for this matter. https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/kontakti
      3 Citizens participate in the implementation of the monitored item with their input and resources N/A No information was provided for this month, there is no feedback regarding communication attempts via phone. Preparations are underway regarding a new request for access to public information for this matter. https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/kontakti
      4 Mechanisms utilized by the municipality to ensure citizen participation, specifically as related to the monitored item:
      4.1 Public gatherings, debates and forums Nо No public meetings, debates and/or forums were organized in January regarding this issue Website and social media of the municipality of Kisela Voda https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/ https://www.facebook.com/OpstinaKiselaVoda/
      4.2 Possibility for e-participation via mobile apps, website(s), electronic templates, etc. Yes There is a mechanism for electronic participation, in which citizens can submit proposals on the municipality's work performance and the budget's allocation on the platform budzet.mk, by selecting the municipality of Kisela Voda and opening a discussion. https://budzet.mk/ https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/glavnidiskusii
      4.3 Open days of the municipality Yes The municipality holds open days - every day, in which citizens can participate by pre-scheduling appointments on 02/2785-401 https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F1OrceGj%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0VzTXpgYhCwq85UEdfec6ict7mpgeoGvMyfZ1MUetoFo458ZZUKGAEzVpZqjJj7cDl&show_text=true&width=500
      4.4 Citizen initiatives N/A No information was provided for this month, there is no feedback regarding communication attempts via phone. Preparations are underway regarding a new request for access to public information for this matter. https://www.kiselavoda.gov.mk/index.php/kontakti