Finance Think https://www.financethink.mk/en/ Economic Research & Policy Institute Mon, 05 Jan 2026 19:07:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.financethink.mk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-ft-favicon-01-32x32.png Finance Think https://www.financethink.mk/en/ 32 32 #Fiscal accountability is at the core of our story in Civica Mobilitas https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d1%84%d0%b8%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b0-%d0%be%d1%82%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%82%d0%bd%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82-%d0%b2%d0%be-%d1%84%d0%be%d0%ba%d1%83%d1%81%d0%be%d1%82-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%bd%d0%b0/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d1%2584%25d0%25b8%25d1%2581%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b0%25d0%25bb%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0%25d1%2582%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25be%25d1%2582%25d1%2587%25d0%25b5%25d1%2582%25d0%25bd%25d0%25be%25d1%2581%25d1%2582-%25d0%25b2%25d0%25be-%25d1%2584%25d0%25be%25d0%25ba%25d1%2583%25d1%2581%25d0%25be%25d1%2582-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:05:02 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16329 #Fiscal accountability is at the core of our story in the publications of Civica Mobilitas and the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) toward the end of 2025.

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]]> #Fiscal accountability is at the core of our story in the publications of Civica Mobilitas and the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) toward the end of 2025.

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]]> NEW Policy Study 57! https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0-%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%b8%d1%98%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-57/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d0%25bd%25d0%25be%25d0%25b2%25d0%25b0-%25d1%2581%25d1%2582%25d1%2583%25d0%25b4%25d0%25b8%25d1%2598%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25b7%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25bf%25d0%25be%25d0%25bb%25d0%25b8%25d1%2582%25d0%25b8%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b8%25d1%2582%25d0%25b5-57 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:01:46 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0-%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%b8%d1%98%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-57/ 📘 New Policy StudyWe analyze how public finances translate (or fail to translate) into better education and health outcomes across six Western Balkan countries, using panel data for the period 2006–2020 and CMP methodology. 🔍 Key findings:• 🧾 It’s not just how much we spend — it’s how we spend it: stronger budget execution is […]

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📘 New Policy Study
We analyze how public finances translate (or fail to translate) into better education and health outcomes across six Western Balkan countries, using panel data for the period 2006–2020 and CMP methodology.

🔍 Key findings:
• 🧾 It’s not just how much we spend — it’s how we spend it: stronger budget execution is the key channel through which PFM affects outcomes
• 🎓 In education, PFM does not operate directly, but through improved technical efficiency → higher preschool enrolment and better student–teacher ratios
• 🏥 In health, better budget execution is associated with more doctors, higher DPT immunization coverage, and longer life expectancy
• 📉 Weak transparency and insufficient medium-term planning constrain the effectiveness of public spending
• ⚙ PFM is the “silent driver” of social outcomes — without it, even higher spending fails to deliver results

📌 Policy message:
Improving health and education outcomes does not start in the classroom or the hospital, but in the budget process: medium-term planning, transparency, and disciplined execution.

🔗 shorturl.at/Wxdkc
#PublicFinanceManagement #Education #Health #WesternBalkans #EvidenceBasedPolicy #PFM

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]]> Regional capacity-building for transparency and EU Alignment in state aid practices in the Western Balkans https://www.financethink.mk/en/regional-capacity-building-for-transparency-and-eu-alignment-in-state-aid-practices-in-the-western-balkans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=regional-capacity-building-for-transparency-and-eu-alignment-in-state-aid-practices-in-the-western-balkans Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:48:37 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16340 Overall Objective: To strengthen regional cooperation, transparency, and EU alignment of state aid practices in the Western Balkans through targeted capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-informed dialogue. Specific Objectives: Enhance institutional knowledge and regional cooperation by delivering a series of workshops and webinars that bring together state aid authorities, competition commissions, and expert institutions from all […]

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]]> Overall Objective: To strengthen regional cooperation, transparency, and EU alignment of state aid practices in the Western Balkans through targeted capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-informed dialogue.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Enhance institutional knowledge and regional cooperation by delivering a series of workshops and webinars that bring together state aid authorities, competition commissions, and expert institutions from all six Western Balkan economies.
  2. Build a shared understanding and consensus on key state aid reform prioritiesthrough joint discussions, selection of critical thematic areas, and collaborative development of methodology for short regional position briefs and a roadmap for improved transparency and EU acquis alignment.
  3. Increase public and institutional awareness of transparent state aid governancethrough visibility activities, tailored communication materials, and promotion of regional cooperation outcomes across media and stakeholder networks.
  4. Strengthen the role of the WEBECON Network in regional monitoring and dialogue on state aidby actively involving WEBECON members in data validation, facilitation of stakeholder engagement, and joint reflection on state aid practices, thereby enhancing

Donor: Western Balkans Fund

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]]> Feasibility Study of Blended Financing Models https://www.financethink.mk/en/feasibility-study-of-blended-financing-models/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feasibility-study-of-blended-financing-models Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:01:27 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16356 The project is developing practical and sustainable blended financing options for ensuring the long-term operation of SRHR content integrated within the EduIno platform. The objective of the assignment is to design two to three concrete financing models and validate them through consultations with relevant public, private, and development stakeholders. The focus will be on leveraging […]

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]]> The project is developing practical and sustainable blended financing options for ensuring the long-term operation of SRHR content integrated within the EduIno platform. The objective of the assignment is to design two to three concrete financing models and validate them through consultations with relevant public, private, and development stakeholders. The focus will be on leveraging multiple funding sources to cover ongoing maintenance, updates of SRHR digital materials, and future platform improvements, while ensuring strong institutional ownership and alignment with national policy frameworks.

Client: UN Population Fund.

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]]> Mapping of the labour market needs of North Macedonia’s leading companies https://www.financethink.mk/en/mapping-of-the-labour-market-needs-of-north-macedonias-leading-companies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mapping-of-the-labour-market-needs-of-north-macedonias-leading-companies Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:55:07 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16348 The core objective is to determine current and emerging skills needs, identify the most acute labour shortages, assess mismatches between employer demand and education/training supply, and explore opportunities to attract or collaborate with diaspora talent. Client: The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)

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]]> The core objective is to determine current and emerging skills needs, identify the most acute labour shortages, assess mismatches between employer demand and education/training supply, and explore opportunities to attract or collaborate with diaspora talent.

Client: The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)

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]]> Debate on a flagship topic related to our monitoring of the Reform Agenda https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b0-%d0%b2%d0%be-%d1%82%d0%be%d0%bf-%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%88%d0%b5%d1%82%d0%be-%d1%81%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5%d1%9a%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d0%25b4%25d0%25b5%25d0%25b1%25d0%25b0%25d1%2582%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25b2%25d0%25be-%25d1%2582%25d0%25be%25d0%25bf-%25d1%2582%25d0%25b5%25d0%25bc%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25b7%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0%25d1%2588%25d0%25b5%25d1%2582%25d0%25be-%25d1%2581%25d0%25bb%25d0%25b5%25d0%25b4%25d0%25b5%25d1%259a%25d0%25b5-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:17:07 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16288 LINK

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]]> Training on Monitoring Public Procurement at the Municipal Level https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%83%d0%ba%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5%d1%9a%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%98%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%b1%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%bd%d0%b0/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d0%25be%25d0%25b1%25d1%2583%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b0-%25d0%25b7%25d0%25b0-%25d1%2581%25d0%25bb%25d0%25b5%25d0%25b4%25d0%25b5%25d1%259a%25d0%25b5-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0-%25d1%2598%25d0%25b0%25d0%25b2%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b8%25d1%2582%25d0%25b5-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0%25d0%25b1%25d0%25b0%25d0%25b2%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b8-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0 Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:07:23 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%83%d0%ba%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5%d1%9a%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%98%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%b1%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%bd%d0%b0/ Today, December 12, 2025, we held a Training on Monitoring Public Procurement, where 20 representatives from local public institutions, civil society organizations, and the media from Prilep and Krushevo gained new information and knowledge on the proper monitoring and implementation of public spending.It is time for efficient and transparent public procurement!

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💡 Today, December 12, 2025, we held a Training on Monitoring Public Procurement, where 20 representatives from local public institutions, civil society organizations, and the media from Prilep and Krushevo gained new information and knowledge on the proper monitoring and implementation of public spending.It is time for efficient and transparent public procurement!

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]]> Webinar on the alignment of state aid regulation https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d1%83%d1%81%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%83%d0%b2%d0%b0%d1%9a%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b3%d1%83%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%b2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d0%25b2%25d0%25b5%25d0%25b1%25d0%25b8%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0%25d1%2580-%25d0%25b7%25d0%25b0-%25d1%2583%25d1%2581%25d0%25be%25d0%25b3%25d0%25bb%25d0%25b0%25d1%2581%25d1%2583%25d0%25b2%25d0%25b0%25d1%259a%25d0%25b5-%25d0%25bd%25d0%25b0-%25d1%2580%25d0%25b5%25d0%25b3%25d1%2583%25d0%25bb%25d0%25b0%25d1%2582%25d0%25b8%25d0%25b2 Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:02:36 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80-%d0%b7%d0%b0-%d1%83%d1%81%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%83%d0%b2%d0%b0%d1%9a%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b3%d1%83%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%b2/ The first Webinar on the alignment of state aid regulation with EU Acquis was held, attended by 35+ representatives of public institutions that control, manage and/or grant state aid in the Western Balkan countries. Olgica Spevec, an expert on state aid and competition policies, shared Croatia’s experience through practical challenges and lessons learned in the […]

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💻The first Webinar on the alignment of state aid regulation with EU Acquis was held, attended by 35+ representatives of public institutions that control, manage and/or grant state aid in the Western Balkan countries.
📃 Olgica Spevec, an expert on state aid and competition policies, shared Croatia’s experience through practical challenges and lessons learned in the accession phases – from the perspective of a negotiator for Chapter 8 and President of the Croatian Competition Council.

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]]> 📣 We want to hear your opinion! https://www.financethink.mk/en/%f0%9f%93%a3-we-want-to-hear-your-opinion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25f0%259f%2593%25a3-we-want-to-hear-your-opinion Sat, 29 Nov 2025 11:32:02 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/?p=16178 What is key to improving the quality of life❓🔗 bit.ly/anketa— We kindly ask you to take 5 minutes of your valuable time and tell us about your satisfaction with public services by completing the questionnaire above ☝️ #CHinMK #CivicaMobilitasCivica MobilitasMacedonian Medical AssociationYouth Educational Forum – YEF@youtheducationalforum@mcgo_mcec_mkMCEC – Macedonian Center for Civic Education@360stepeni360 Degrees

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]]> What is key to improving the quality of life❓
🔗 bit.ly/anketa—

We kindly ask you to take 5 minutes of your valuable time and tell us about your satisfaction with public services by completing the questionnaire above ☝

#CHinMK #CivicaMobilitas
Civica Mobilitas
Macedonian Medical Association
Youth Educational Forum – YEF
@youtheducationalforum
@mcgo_mcec_mk
MCEC – Macedonian Center for Civic Education
@360stepeni
360 Degrees

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]]> Prof. Marjan Petreski in the podcast “Where Is the Money?” https://www.financethink.mk/en/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d1%84-%d0%bc%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%98%d0%b0%d0%bd-%d0%bf%d0%b5%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%b2%d0%be-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d1%82-%d0%ba/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25d0%25bf%25d1%2580%25d0%25be%25d1%2584-%25d0%25bc%25d0%25b0%25d1%2580%25d1%2598%25d0%25b0%25d0%25bd-%25d0%25bf%25d0%25b5%25d1%2582%25d1%2580%25d0%25b5%25d1%2581%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b8-%25d0%25b2%25d0%25be-%25d0%25bf%25d0%25be%25d0%25b4%25d0%25ba%25d0%25b0%25d1%2581%25d1%2582%25d0%25be%25d1%2582-%25d0%25ba Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:28:33 +0000 https://www.financethink.mk/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d1%84-%d0%bc%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%98%d0%b0%d0%bd-%d0%bf%d0%b5%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%b2%d0%be-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d1%82-%d0%ba/ In the podcast “Where Is the Money?” on Pari.com.mk, Professor Marjan Petreski discusses the Draft Budget 2026:⚠ As in our FT Commentary 43 (https://shorturl.at/67wyD), the overall budgeting framework is moving in the right direction, but a series of fiscal risks remain.❗ The inflation target of 2.5% is achievable only if fiscal policy supports monetary policy, […]

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In the podcast “Where Is the Money?” on Pari.com.mk, Professor Marjan Petreski discusses the Draft Budget 2026:
⚠ As in our FT Commentary 43 (https://shorturl.at/67wyD), the overall budgeting framework is moving in the right direction, but a series of fiscal risks remain.
❗ The inflation target of 2.5% is achievable only if fiscal policy supports monetary policy, without populist expectations of “easy money.”
❗ Productivity in the public sector is declining, while in the private sector it is rising – a critical factor for sustainable wage growth and stable budget revenues.

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