International Studies Program

Macedonia - Fiscal Decentralization (2007)

Project Summary

Project Publications

Project Team

ISP was tasked by UNDP with developing a comprehensive analysis of the progress made in implementation of the fiscal decentralization reform in Macedonia, which would give a clear baseline on the current stage of the processes and lessons learnt. Dr. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez led a two-person mission to hold a workshop and meetings with key stakeholders during the week of July 23, 2007. Andrey Timofeev, joining Dr. Martinez-Vazquez during the first week, stayed to conduct follow-up meetings and finalize the analysis in the course of the subsequent two weeks. These meetings gave the study team an opportunity to seek clarification and feedback directly from stakeholders on the status and direction of decentralization reforms in Macedonia.

As a result of the assessment mission, ISP produced an assessment report. The main goals of this report were: first, to take stock and to highlight the main features of Macedonia’s system of intergovernmental fiscal relations; a serious diagnostic of the system and clear direction for reform need to be based on a solid understanding of how the current system works. Second, the report focused on the issues and challenges in each of the main areas of the current system.  Third the study proposed the way forward with an agenda for reform.

In November 2007, Dr. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez traveled to Skopje to present the findings of the study at workshop attended by all main stakeholders.

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Project Publications:

Nicoletta Feruglio & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Andrey Timofeev, 2008. "An Assessment of Fiscal Decentralization in Macedonia". Working Paper # 08-14. International Studies Program Working Paper Series. Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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Project Team:

 Jorge Martinez-Vazquez - Team Leader

 Andrey Timofeev - Decentralization Expert

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