STANDARD TWINNING LIGHT PROJECT FICHE
Promotion of the Ombudsman competences and enhancement of its capacities
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Basic Information
1.1 Programme: IPA 2011
1.2 Twinning Number: MK2011/IB/JH/01 TWL
1.3 Title: Promotion of the Ombudsman competences and enhancement of its capacities
1.4 Sector: Good Governance and the Rule of Law
1.5 Beneficiary Country: Beneficiary country1
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Objectives
2.1 Overall Objective(s):
To enhance the capacities of the Ombudsman in protection of fundamental rights and freedoms and to
further promote the visibility of the Ombudsman among the citizens and relevant institutions in line
with the international standards and best practices.
2.2 Project purpose:
Тhe project purpose is two folded:
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To improve the skills of the three departments of the Ombudsman: the Department for nondiscrimination and adequate and equitable representation of minorities, the Department for
children rights and rights of persons with special needs, and the Department of the National
Preventive Mechanism (NPM).
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To further promote the mandate of the Ombudsman for protection of human rights in view of
enhancing its visibility and the accessibility of citizens to its services, particularly in the rural
parts of the country
2.3 Contribution to National Development Plan/Cooperation agreement/Association
Agreement/Action Plan
The project shall relate to one of the priorities set in the MIPD 2011-2013: ensure non-discrimination
and respect of human rights. The main focus under the Fundamental Rights is set on strengthening
institutions and ensuring adequate implementation of legislative and policy measures. The MIPD
further stresses that the situation with vulnerable groups in particular Roma need to be addressed. In
this respect the proposed focus of this project fully relates to the priorities of the MIPD 2011-2013 and
shall contribute to improvement of the human rights situation.
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As per Financing Agreement signed between the Government of the Beneficiary Country and the European
Commission concerning National Programme for Component 1 for 2011 under the Instrument for Preaccession Assistance, signed on 20 November 2012
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Further on, the 2012 Progress Report in few occasions mentions the important role the Ombudsman
plays in the society and the level of responsiveness by the institutions upon the complaints submitted.
The Report confirms the need for public promotion of the Ombudsman mandate and competences. In
respect to the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) as a second component of the proposed project
activities, the 2012 Progress Report emphasizes that the NPM is an important tool in prevention of
torture and ill-treatment. The Report stresses the fact that the NPM needs additional human resources
and a budget to further promote its role and perform its duties.
In 2011, the Ombudsman was granted a Status B by the Secretariat of the International Coordinating
Committee of National Human Rights Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(ICC) due to four remarks, two of them being lack of promotion in the mandate of the institution and
the second one referring to the funding of the National Preventive Mechanism- an obligation
undertaken with the signing and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against
Torture and other Cruel, inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
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Description
3.1 Background and justification:
3.1.1 Institutional frame
The Office of the Ombudsman was established in line with article 77 of the Constitution, passed in
1991. However, the Law on the Public Attorney (Ombudsman) was not passed until 13 February 1997.
The Constitutional mandate of the Ombudsman is to protect “… the constitutional and legal rights of
citizens when violated by bodies of state administration and by other public bodies and organisations”.
On 3 July 1997, the Parliamentary Assembly elected the first Ombudsman with an eight-year term of
office.
In December 2004, the Parliament elected the Ombudsman based on the Badinter Principle, as
required by the Ohrid Framework Agreement, leading to the appointment of the first ethnic Albanian
holding the post of Ombudsman. The Ombudsman was re-elected for a second term on 24th of
December 2012. The Ohrid Framework Agreement also proscribed the establishment of the
decentralized (regional) offices. Furthermore, the Agreement emphasizes the financial independence
of the Ombudsman’s office (the budget of the Ombudsman is voted separately by the Assembly).
The Ombudsman of the Beneficiary Country has the classical ombudsman task of protecting the
constitutional and legal rights of the citizens of the Beneficiary Country when violated by bodies of
state administration or other public bodies or organizations. It has a strong human rights protection
profile, typical to an ombudsman system operating in a country of transition. The Ombudsman shall
give particular attention to the principles of non-discrimination and equitable representation of
communities in public bodies at all levels and in other areas of public life.
It is important to add that, with the Beneficiary Country’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the
Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the
Ombudsman has been nominated to take on the role of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).
The Ombudsman has undertaken measures to secure functional independence of the NPM. Thus the
NPM functions as a separate unit in the Ombudsman Institution with the primary goal to prevent
torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. In that respect the NPM
works in accordance with its own working program and methodology including a system of regular
visits to prisons and other places of confinement.
With the twinning project Support to the Ombudsman, implemented during 2011 and 2012, the
capacities of the Ombudsman staff considerably improved, in particular the work of the three new
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units that have started being operational since April 2011 (The National Preventive Mechanism, the
Unit for Non-discrimination and adequate and equitable representation of minorities, the Unit for
Children’ rights and persons with special needs). Hence, the final recommendations after the
accomplishment of the project go in direction that the Ombudsman Office should continue its capacity
building, in particular in the area of promotion of its mandate and the mandates of its special units.
Although the Ombudsman is increasingly recognized, the functions of the Ombudsman remain
insufficiently well understood by the population. Often the Ombudsman receives requests for
assistance that is not within its mandate, and often the Ombudsman is not approached in cases where it
could assist. Secondly, the staff members of the Ombudsman need exposure to international
experiences. For the past few years, internal training has improved the quality of the staff, but the lack
of access to international experience is hampering a further development of competence. Thirdly, the
capacities of the regional offices need to be strengthened and cooperation with decentralized
government bodies needs to be improved.
The National Preventive Mechanism
On 30.12.2008, the Parliament of the Beneficiary Country ratified the Optional Protocol to the
Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and
designated the Ombudsman to act as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in the Beneficiary
Country. In cooperation with and upon previous consent of the Ombudsman, the registered nongovernmental organizations and organizations with the status of humanitarian organizations in the
country may assume some of the National Preventive Mechanism's competences.
In the period 2005-2010, the Ombudsman exercised this legal competence through inspections and
unannounced visits, including unsupervised interviews with apprehended, detained or imprisoned
persons.
The National Preventive Mechanism in the Beneficiary Country draws its mandate and competences
from the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment and the Law on the Ombudsman. It has also prepared a Rules of Procedure
on the manner of prevention and the methodology of carrying out preventive visits. The National
Preventive Mechanism conducts its activities in accordance with the annual work program approved
by the Ombudsman.
The National Preventive Mechanism in the Beneficiary Country began its operation on 1 April 2011. It
is composed of three counsellors for prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment. Since the establishment of the NPM team, they carried out 50 visits in total:
43 regular unannounced, 7 follow up unannounced visits. The NPM team visited police stations,
penitentiary- correctional institutions, juvenile centres, Centre for asylum seekers, Admission centre
for foreigners etc.
Although successful in this short but fruitful period of existence, the team still needs additional human
and financial resources, exchange of best practices and methodologies in carrying out visits to places
of deprivation of liberty.
The Department for non- discrimination and adequate and equitable representation of minorities
The constitutional amendments of the Beneficiary Country from 2001 were basis for adopting the
Law on Ombudsman in 2003 and its amendments in 2009, thus giving to the Ombudsman wider
competences in the field of protection from discrimination and monitoring of the principle for
adequate and equitable representation, while the amendments in 2009 gave the possibility for
establishing a special unit that will work in the field of protection from discrimination and adequate
and equitable representation of all communities in the state institutions of the Beneficiary Country.
The unit for non- discrimination and adequate and equitable representation works on complaints
related to the scope of work of the unit, promotes the role of the Ombudsman in the field of non3
discrimination and adequate and equitable representation through publishing variety of materials,
among which special reports, flyers, leaflets, and cooperates and communicates with the relevant
institutions in the state, the civil society as well as other national and international institutions and
organizations that work in this field.
In the last four years 99 complaints in total were submitted to the Ombudsman office related to nondiscrimination and adequate and equitable representation: 21 in 2008, 20 in 2009, 16 in 2010 and 42 in
2011.
The Department for protection of children’ rights and protection of persons with special needs
With the aim to become more actively and widely involved into the protection of children’s rights, a
special Department for the Protection of Children was established within the institution Ombudsman.
The official entrusted with the protection of the rights of children secures protection for all the rights
of children, especially for the rights of children respecting the exercising of parental rights, social
protection of children, the rights of children without parents or parental care, the rights of children in
the field of education, the rights of children in the field of employment with respect to the ban on the
employment of persons under 15, the rights of children in medical institution, the rights of children in
the field of pension and disability insurance with respect to the realization of the rights to family
pension checks, the rights of children with respect to the acquisition and termination of the Beneficiary
Country’s citizenship, the rights of children in the proceedings of the Internal Affairs organs.
This department was in particularly treated through the projects implemented in 2011 and 2012 that
had for their goal to strengthen its capacities at the same time to treat topics of relevance to children’
rights.
The Twinning project “Support to the Ombudsman Office” achieved its envisaged objectives
completely and satisfactorily. Mainly, the project contributed to improvement of the Ombudsman
office staff competences, with specific focus on the capacities of regional offices as well as the
improved citizen’s knowledge on the Ombudsman competences.
The first results from the project input were seen trough the increased number of complaints addressed
to the Ombudsman Office (especially in the fields of Consumers rights and social welfare).
The Ombudsman Office received a total of 4250 complaints during 2011 therefore this number was
increased by 5 percent, compared with the number of complaints received in 2010.
Also, the results of the 2011 Annual Report of the Ombudsman of the Beneficiary Country reflect a
clear increase in the number of received complaints and some diversification of their content.
The first Annual report of the National Preventive Mechanism contained the work and the visits
carried out in 2011 by the Ombudsman as a National Preventive Mechanism.
The Unit for protection of children’s rights was permanently organizing public debates and high level
meetings treating the most delicate topics in the society. The foreseen missions that included the visits
to the regional offices were carried out successfully in terms of exchange of experiences, but it was
encountered that it would be of big importance for these offices to receive support in terms of training,
communication and financial means in order to smoothly accomplish their every-day work.
All the reports and documents showing the work of the Ombudsman Institution are available online at
the institution’s website, being upgraded accordingly in order to meet the needs and the interests of the
citizens.
The recommendations arising from this project go in two directions, the first one supporting activities
as part of a communication strategy with a particular focus of the six regional offices and the second
one to the protection of human rights in the field of social and health protection of children’ rights and
other marginalized groups. In this regard, one of the specific recommendations goes towards the
harmonization of the Beneficiary Country’s legislation with the European, in terms of the employment
and social protection of people with special needs.
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3.1.2 Current state of play
The Office of the Ombudsman currently has 79 staff members, most of them sitting in the central
office in Skopje and the others in the other six regional offices (Tetovo, Kumanovo, Kichevo, Bitola,
Shtip and Strumica). The newest three departments established and functional since spring 2011 have
already developed their strategy and methodology of work and received a substantial number of
training courses and other relevant experts’ missions for developing and strengthening of their skills
and capacities.
The main scope of work of the institution is the work on complaints submitted by citizens on variety
of issues. Thus, in 20112 the Ombudsman acted upon 5074 complaints in total, 4256 complaints were
submitted by 4711 citizens. In 39 cases the Ombudsman initiated an action on his own initiative.
The highest percentage of complaints were submitted in judiciary (17,20%), followed by consumer
rights (15,81%), working relations (9,68%) etc.
The National Preventive Mechanism began its operation on 1st of April 2011. It is composed of three
counsellors for prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishmentall lawyers. The NPM visited police stations, penitentiary- correctional institutions, juvenile centres,
Centre for asylum seekers, Admission centre for foreigners etc. In the frames of the projects
implemented in the institution, this team hosted few round tables on various topics related to the role
NPM has in prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. A
regional conference of the NPMs from the region of the Western Balkans was held in June 2011 where
aside from a regional representation by the Ombudsman institutions, representatives from the main
bodies for human rights protection from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman
Treatment or Punishment (CPT) participated. The NPM team also carried out few study trips to Spain,
Slovenia, Poland as well as participated in international conferences in Switzerland, Estonia, Armenia,
Serbia.
The Department for protection of children’ rights and rights of persons with special needs since its
formation carried out variety of activities, most of them focused on different topics related to
protection of children’ rights and rights of persons with special needs. Thus, in the frames of the
“Macedonian Ombudsman Support Project”- financially supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands, four round tables were implemented on topics related to the influence of the media
over children, the rights of persons with disabilities, the right of the child to maintain contacts with
both parent etc. The Department conducted two researches under the project supported by Save the
Children- one focuses on labour exploitation of children3 and the other one on sexual exploitation of
children4.
The Department for Non- discrimination and Adequate and Equitable Representation was also
established in the same time as the other two departments and by today worked on complaints,
participated in various conferences on a national and international level. Representatives participated
on study trips to Spain, France and Sweden. During 2012, the Department carried out a number of
workshops throughout the country for promotion of its competences. The team also took part in
training workshops on different topics under the auspices of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.
With donor funds various promotional material (flyers, leaflets, brochures and posters) were produced
for promoting the competences of all three departments, emphasizing their role in the society.
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2011 Annual Report- Ombudsman of the Beneficiary Country
Child protection from economic exploitation- Compilation of presentation from the Annual conference of the
network of children Ombudsperson in South- eastern Europe (CRONSEE), Ohrid, 2011
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Report on the research of the phenomenon sexual abuses and sexual exploitation- Ombudsman of the
Beneficiary Country - Skopje, September 2012.
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Hence, the NPM team still needs further exchange of experiences with an EU MS NPM team,
improvement of their skills in carrying out visits to places of deprivation of liberty with focus on
specialized centres for social care but also migrant and asylum seekers centres for detention. Of
course, further promotion of their role in the protection of human rights to persons deprived of liberty
is still an ongoing necessity. Particular expertise and knowledge is needed in carrying out preventive
visits to social care centres, centres for elderly persons, unannounced follow up visits to places of
deprivation of liberty, as well as methodology of monitoring detention centres for aliens, migrants and
asylum seekers. The EU directives in monitoring the migrant movement embraces all EU MS but also
the candidate countries like the Beneficiary Country. The capacities of the NPM team needs to be in
particularly broadened in this field- monitoring the human rights in places for detention of aliens,
migrants and asylum seekers and harmonization with the EU practice. The team still needs additional
human resources, financial means for a full implementation of its mandate and the duties deriving
from it.
The main focus of the anti-discrimination team is to further promote its mandate and in particular
make it visible and distinctive to the one of the Commission for anti-discrimination. This can be
achieved by a further work in the field of public promotion and treating subjects of relevance.
During the last two years the department for children rights carried out many activities related to
specific topics that treat children from variety of perspectives as well as carried out research studies in
this area. Hence, this department as the previous two needs promotion, strengthening of its capacities
due to the young staff in it, cooperation with the relevant bodies in the field of children protection etc.
The proposed activities within this project originate from the main findings from the activities
implemented in 2011 and 2012, in particular those from the twinning project “Support to the
Ombudsman” stressing that the future focus should be put on Roma inclusivity in the educational
system, children on the street and children with special needs, enriched with practical experience from
a field visit to centres that deal with this category of children.
Although the central office of the Ombudsman in Skopje is seen as a leader of the general work in the
field of human rights protection, the other six regional offices are still in continuous need to further
develop their skills and capacities in handling complaints and maintaining communication with the
institutions under the Ombudsman competences in particular at local level. These offices also need
promotion and a method of reaching citizens in all parts of the communities within their mandate,
especially the rural parts of the country.
3.2 Linked activities:
In the past years the Ombudsman Office implemented the following projects:
Twinning project “Support to the Ombudsman” – MK- 2008-IB-JH-01- IPA 2008 (partner on the
project Ombudsman institutions from Spain and France)
Donor: IPA 2008
Duration: Mart 2011-November 2012
Description:
The objective of the project was to enhance the institutional capacity of the beneficiaries in order to
further improve the transparency and accountability of the Government vis-à-vis the citizens.
The project purpose was to provide technical and material assistance to prioritised institutions,
including the Parliament, the Directorate for Personal Data Protection, the Ombudsman and the Unit
for the implementation of the Roma Strategy, that have a key role in ensuring appropriate levels of
transparency and accountability and protecting the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Macedonian Ombudsman Support Project-958/1
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Donor: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Duration: November 2011- September 2013
Description:
The objective of the project was to support the Ombudsman institution in complete fulfilment of the
mandate as a viable mechanism for protection of human rights.
Activities:
Design, production and broadcasting of TV Open Contact Show with the Ombudsman
Printing of quarterly Ombudsman Bulletin
Printing of Brochure for the competences of the Ombudsman in the field of protection from
discrimination
Production and performances of anti-discrimination theatre play portraying the competences
of the Ombudsman in the field of protection from discrimination
Organizing four national conferences on anti-discrimination with national and local authorities
Organizing four national conferences on rights of children and persons with special needs with
national and local authorities
Organization of English language classes for the Ombudsman staff (national and regional
offices)
Organizing a study visit to the Ombudsman of Netherlands
South East Europe Children’s Rights Ombudspersons’ Network-03-276/1
Donor: Save the Children Norway
Duration: April 2011- December 2011
Description:
The purpose of the project was to enhance regional Ombudspersons’ cooperation in assisting children
in the SEE region in protecting their own rights, prevent all forms of exploitation of children, support
initiatives towards full prohibition of corporal punishment and sexual exploitation of children.
Activities undertaken:
Thematic meeting on children exploitation and forced begging
Regional conference of the Ombudspersons from SEE countries on corporal punishment of
children
Publication of compilation of regional country experiences dedicated to children rights
Prevention of child exploitation in the South East Europe Sexual Exploitation of Children in the R
Macedonia-09-210/1
Donor: Save the Children Norway
Duration: January 2012- July 2012
Description:
The project purpose was to prepare a legal analysis trough assessing the situation on a national and
regional level regarding sexual exploitation of children.
Activities undertaken:
Preparation of a survey questionnaire
Analysis of gathered data
Organization of meetings with relevant government bodies as a target group
Interviews with children victims of sexual exploitation
Production of final analysis paper.
Macedonian Ombudsman Support Project–03-112/1
Donor: Swedish International Development Agency
Duration: 2005-2012
Description:
The aim of this project was to further increase the visibility and effectiveness of the Ombudsman
Institution through promotion of its current and new competences and modality of work among state
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institutions, judicial stakeholders, municipal bodies, civil society organizations and the wider public in
general, by using means of mass media.
The special emphases was placed on the areas of the Ombudsman’s activities which were challenging
or due to newly adopted normative acts, targeting new areas, requiring renewed capacity and
approach, such as prevention of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment and antidiscrimination.
The promotional activities envisaged within the project were provided in a form of TV programmes
about the Ombudsman Institution, its competences and activities; open contact TV shows on a
monthly basis, which provided the citizens with the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers
directly from the Ombudsman representatives. Furthermore, special guests with domestic and
international expertise were invited to certain events, thus providing more credibility to the promotion
of the Institution. In addition, the project envisaged preparation and dissemination of a newspaper
bulletin on the Ombudsman’s activities and their results on a quarterly basis, as well as performance of
a theatrical plays on anti-discrimination issues.
3.3 Results:
Results to be achieved:
1) Improved skills and capacities of the Ombudsman’s regional offices in execution and promotion of
the Ombudsman’s mandate;
2) Increased visibility and transparency of the Ombudsman institution inter alia through a streamlined
and user-friendlier website
3) Raising the awareness on the non-discrimination of Roma population, street children and persons
with special needs and enhancing the protection of their rights.
4) Strengthened skills and capacities in performing field visits to the daily centres for street children
and improved standards in the daily centres for street children;
5) Strengthened skills and capacities in performing field visits to social care centres, centres for
rehabilitation, centres for elderly person and improved standards in these centres
6) Improved skills and methodologies of the NPM for performing unannounced follow up visits to
places of deprivation of liberty and for monitoring detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum
seekers
The measurable indicators are:
Result 1
1) Tailored training and advice on public outreach/awareness raising campaigns to all regional
Ombudsman Offices provided and three public outreach/awareness raising campaigns in three
regional centres (Tetovo, Bitola, Strumica) jointly organized, promotional materials distributed
and published on the Ombudsman website;
2)
Cases brought to the Ombudsman that fall within its mandate increased by at least 5% in
comparison to those that do not fall within its mandate;
3)
Tailored on-the-job trainings and advice on the work of Ombudsman provided to the
personnel of all regional Ombudsman offices;
4)
Written recommendations delivered and implemented in practice;
5)
Skills and capacities of the regional Ombudsman offices increased as confirmed by surveys
of the personnel.
Result 2
1)
The website and social media platforms of the Ombudsman upgraded in line with best
international practices;
2)
New web applications/sub-websites for individual Ombudsman departments/units developed;
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3)
Tailored advice and recommendations on online public relations of the Ombudsman and
maintenance of the website/social media portals provided;
4)
Increased visits to the Ombudsman website by 5% as compared to preceding periods.
Result 3
1)
Multi-stakeholder roundtables on non-discrimination of Roma, street children and persons
with special needs organized with participation of Twinning Light partner’s experts;
2)
Written recommendations based on the findings of these roundtables provided and
implemented in practice by the beneficiary country.
Result 4
1)
Tailored training and advice on the visits to the centres for street children provided;
2)
Joint visits to the daily centres for street children carried out;
3)
Written assessment of the conditions and standards in the daily centres for street children
issued;
4)
Written recommendations on the improvement of standards in line with international
requirements and best practices provided and implemented in practice.
Results 5
1)
Tailored training and advice on the visits to social care centres, centres for rehabilitation,
centres for elderly persons provided;
2)
Joint visits to social care centres, centres for rehabilitation, centres for elderly persons
conducted;
3)
Written recommendations for carrying out preventive visits to such centres given and
implemented in practice.
Result 6
1)
Tailored training and advice on the follow up visits to places of deprivation of liberty and on
the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum seekers provided to the
NPM team;
2)
Study visit to the NPM body of the Twinning Light Partner conducted;
3)
Written recommendations and methodologies for carrying out unannounced follow up visits
to places of deprivation of liberty as well as on the monitoring of detention places for aliens,
migrants and asylum seekers provided and implemented in practice;
4)
A roundtable on the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum seekers
organized.
3.4 Activities
The Twinning assistance will be provided in a flexible fashion, particularly in the form of experience
sharing and know-how transfer through advice and written recommendations, tailored on-the-job
training, technical assistance in upgrading of Ombudsman’s online tools, experts’ participation in
roundtables, awareness raising campaigns and visits to beneficiary country’s institutions, as well as
one study visit to the EU MS NPM body. Throughout the implementation period, the Project shall aim
at flexibility, cooperative and tailor-made approach, complementarity with other EU and international
projects and high publicity.
The activities that will be developed under this project shall be primarily focused on:
1. Improvement of skills and capacities of the Ombudsman’s regional offices in execution and
promotion of the Ombudsman’s mandate.
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- tailored on-the-job training and advice shall be provided to all regional Ombudsman offices (in
Tetovo, Kumanovo, Shtip, Bitola, Strumica and Kichevo) on various aspects of Ombudsman work, as
well as on the planning, organization and management of public outreach and awareness raising
campaigns on human rights and the instruments to defend them.
- in three regional centres (Tetovo, Bitola and Strumica) the EU MS partner will jointly organize three
pilot public outreach and awareness raising campaigns. For these campaigns, promotional/information
materials on human rights and the mandate of the Ombudsman shall be produced by the Twinning
Light project in cooperation with the Ombudsman and will equally be published on the Ombudsman
website. The campaigns shall be aiming at wide media and social networks’ coverage for larger
outreach to the public.
- the EU MS experts shall provide written recommendations to all regional Ombudsman offices for the
improvement of their performance.
- to measure the needs of the Project, as well as its relevance and quality, opinion surveys of the
personnel of these regional offices shall be conducted at the beginning and in the end of intervention.
2. Increasing visibility and transparency of the Ombudsman through more streamlined website and
social media platforms
- the Ombudsman website and social media platforms shall be upgraded and streamlined by the
Project in line with best international practices.
- new web applications/sub-websites for individual Ombudsman departments/units shall be developed
to enhance transparency, information and user-friendliness for service recipients.
- tailored advice and recommendations on online public relations of the Ombudsman and maintenance
of the website/social media portals shall also be provided
3. Improvement of conditions for Roma education, street children and persons with special needs and
enhancement of protection of their rights
- at least three multi-stakeholder roundtables on Roma education, street children and persons with
special needs shall be organized in close cooperation with the Ombudsman office and with
participation of EU MS experts and other national/international experts, as well as the vulnerable
groups themselves, for assessing the current situation, sharing comparative experiences and best
practices.
- based on the findings of these roundtables and discussions with the expert community, written
recommendations shall be provided by the Project.
4. Strengthening the skills and capacities in performing field visits to the daily centres for street
children and improvement of standards in the daily centres for street children
- the Project shall provide tailored training and advice on conducting the visits to the centres for street
children.
- joint visits to the daily centres for street children shall be carried out.
- written assessment of the conditions and standards in the daily centres for street children, as well as
written recommendations on the improvement of these standards in line with international
requirements and best practices shall be issued and thoroughly discussed with relevant institutions.
5. Strengthening the skills and capacities in performing field visits to social care centres, centres for
rehabilitation, centres for elderly person and improvement of standards in these centres
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- the Project shall provide tailored training and advice on conducting the visits to social care centres,
centres for rehabilitation, centres for elderly persons.
- joint visits by EU MS NPM team and other relevant experts to social care centres, centres for
rehabilitation, centres for elderly persons shall be carried out.
- written recommendations for carrying out visits to such centres shall be provided and introduced to
the Ombudsman and other relevant bodies.
6. Improvement of skills and methodologies of the NPM for performing unannounced follow up visits
to places of deprivation of liberty
- the Project shall provide tailored training and advice on the follow up visits to the NPM team and on
the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum seekers.
- a study visit for the local NPM team to the EU MS NPM body for experience sharing in conducting
follow up visits and on the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum seekers shall
be organized.
- written recommendations and methodologies for carrying out unannounced follow up visits to places
of deprivation of liberty, as well as on the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and
asylum seekers shall be provided and introduced to the relevant institutions.
- a multi-stakeholder roundtable on the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum
seekers shall be organized in close cooperation with the NPM team and with participation of EU MS
experts and other national/international experts.
3.5 Means/ Input from the Member State Partner Administration:
The project will be implemented in a form of a Twinning Light contract envisaged to provide
exchange of experience and know-how with a MS Institution with good practice in the stated project
activities. The Twinning Partner shall provide an adequate team of experts – one MS Project Leader,
responsible for overall coordination of project activities and a pool of Short Term Experts (STEs) with
suitable knowledge to carry out the activities described.
The interested MS Partner Institution shall include in its proposal the CV's of the designated Project
Leader and the proposed Short-term Experts as well as their specific tasks to which they will be
assigned to.
The MS Partner Administration should demonstrate experience in delivery of services in the relevant
project fields mentioned above. This experience should be described in the proposal. Experience in
providing assistance in similar EU projects would be considered as an advantage.
3.5.1
Profile and tasks of the Project Leader
The MS Project Leader will manage the implementation of the project with the Project Leader from
the Beneficiary Country. The Project Leader’s will ensure his/her ability to mobilise the necessary
staff in support of the efficient implementation of the project. In addition, he/she should coordinate, on
the Member State side, the Project Steering Committee (PSC). . The MS Project Leader will continue
to work at his/her Member State administration. As a minimum, the project Leader should be able to
dedicate to the project at least 3 days per month, with at least 3 on-site visits. He/she will be supported
by his/her Member State administration for logistic, accounting and administrative affairs.
Profile of Expert 1 (Project Leader) - Requirements:
 Be a high-ranking public servant in a managing position;
11






University degree5;
At least 5 years of general professional experience in the area associated to this project;
Currently engaged in a similar Member State Ombudsman Institution;
Experience in handling complaints, promotional campaign, NPM field of work ;
Experience in implementation of similar projects;
Fluent in English.
Tasks of the Project Leader
 Conceive, supervise and coordinate the overall thrust of the project;
 Ensure the attainment of the projected outputs;
 Co-manage the implementation of the project with the Beneficiary Country Project Leader;
 Co-ordinate MS experts’ work and availability;
 Communicate with the beneficiary, CFCD and EUD;
 Ensure the backstopping functions and financial management;
 Co-chair the Project Steering Committee Meetings;
 Organise study visits for the purposes of the National Preventive Mechanism;
 Draw up reports in accordance with the Twinning Manual;
 Where necessary, provide technical assistance and advice under the Project.
3.5.2
Profile and tasks of the RTA
N/A
3.5.3
Profile and tasks of the Short-Term Experts (STEs)
Other specialist staff will be made available by the Twinning Light Partner to support the
implementation of activities. The proposed pool of short-term experts is expected to cover all relevant
areas targeted under this project.
Profile of the short-term experts –Requirements (Children’ rights and anti-discrimination)
 University degree6;
 At least 3 years of working experience in the field of children’ rights and anti-discrimination;
 Be civil servants or equivalent staff seconded to work within departments/units related to
children’ rights and anti-discrimination;
 Experience in preparation of analysis, researches and surveys in the field of children’ rights
and anti-discrimination;
 Knowledge of international standards in this field;
 Practical experience in work with street children and persons with special needs;
 Fluency in English;
 Computer literacy.
Tasks of the short-term experts
 Transferring knowledge and skills to the teams of the Departments for children’ rights and
anti-discrimination- exchange of experiences and best practices examples;
 Participation in the round tables- presentation of the experience, best practices and study cases
in the field of children’ rights and anti-discrimination;
5
For reference on equivalent qualification see: EPSO website-Annex 1 (http://europa.eu.int/epso/on-lineapplications/pdf/guide-1242-171104_en.doc
6
For reference on equivalent qualification see: EPSO website-Annex 1 (http://europa.eu.int/epso/on-lineapplications/pdf/guide-1242-171104_en.doc
12


Conducting field visits to daily centres for children on the street and transferring knowledge
from EU perspective.
Provision of findings, recommendations and reports as foreseen under the Project in close
cooperation and coordination with the relevant Ombudsman department.
Profile of the short-term experts –Requirements (National Preventive Mechanism)
 University degree7;
 At least 3 years of working experience in the National Preventive Mechanism;
 Be civil servant or equivalent staff seconded to work within National Preventive Mechanism;
Experience in preparation of reports for preventive visits;
 Knowledge of international standards for places of detention;
 Knowledge in the procedures deriving from OPCAT;
 Fluency in English;
 Computer literacy.
Tasks of the short-term experts
 Transferring knowledge and skills to the NPM team- exchange of experiences and best
practices examples in conducting preventive visits to places of detention, carrying out
unannounced follow up visits to places of deprivation of liberty;
 Participation in the round tables-presentation of the NPM EU MS team expertise in the field
of monitoring the human rights situation in the places for detention of aliens, migrants and
asylum seekers;
 Organizing a specific study visit agenda for the NPM team;
 Provision of findings, recommendations and reports as foreseen under the Project in close
cooperation and coordination with the relevant Ombudsman department.
3.5.4 Translator / interpreter:
For the purpose of the project and for cost effectiveness the Twinning Light Project foresees one part
time translator/interpreter for the project activities such as experts’ missions, round tables, translation
of project documents/mission reports, guidelines and other materials, etc. Translation/interpretation
shall also be provided for the EU MS experts working in the regional Ombudsman offices.
4
Institutional Framework
4.1 Beneficiary Institutions
The Ombudsman the Beneficiary Country, in particular, the National Preventive Mechanism, the
Department for non-discrimination and adequate and equitable representation, the Department for
children rights and rights of persons with special needs as well as the regional offices (Tetovo,
Kumanovo, Shtip, Bitola, Kichevo, Strumica) of the Ombudsman.
4.2 Co-ordination mechanisms between institutions and departments
The Ombudsman will be directly responsible for co-ordination and management of the project and will
support the Twinning Light project team in organizational and technical matters. Activities will be
conducted in close cooperation with the respective Departments and the CFCD.
7
For reference on equivalent qualification see: EPSO website-Annex 1 (http://europa.eu.int/epso/on-lineapplications/pdf/guide-1242-171104_en.doc
13
A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be established at the beginning of the project to monitor the
implementation of the project comprising of senior representatives the Beneficiary Country Project
Leader, the Member State Project Leader, other representatives from MS and Beneficiary County and
the representatives from the Delegation of the European Union and CFCD as Contracting Authority
will also attend meetings of the PSC. The final and exact composition of the PSC will be agreed with
the Contracting Authority at the start up of the project. Any observer to the PSC should be approved
by the Contracting Authority.
MS and BC Twinning Light Partners will arrange regular and ad-hoc coordination and information
exchange meetings with other stakeholders as necessary.
It should be noted that the participation of the Member State Project Leader in Steering Committees
meetings has to be combined with expert mission in case the MS Project Leader is also a short-term
expert in the twinning light project. If the MS Project Leader is not a short-term expert in the twinning
light project then his/her visits to the Beneficiary country, (one visit every three months) as part of
his/her overall task to ensure coordination and political steering of the project should be organised at
the same time as the two Steering Committee meetings of the project and the Kick-off Meeting. As a
minimum, the project Leader should be able to dedicate to the project at least 3 days per month, with
at least 3 on-site visits.
The Steering Committee meetings are called and chaired by the Project leaders. The PSC will monitor,
supervise and co-ordinate the overall progress and implementation of the project. The PSC will
provide guidance for the different activities of the project, will define priorities, approve and monitor
budgets and approve the results.
The following Steering Committee meetings shall be held during the project implementation:
 Kick-off Meeting at the project’s start.
 Steering Committee meeting during the 3rd month of implementation, to discuss and
approve the start-up report
 Final Steering Committee meeting, to discuss and approve the Final Report within the last
month of the project's legal duration.
5
Budget
The financial ceiling for this ‘Twinning Light’ project has been set at EUR 250,000 and its maximum
duration (time spent for Twinning activities) is limited to 8 months. This duration is supplemented by
the standard 3 months execution period foreseen for inception and reporting (see Article 2 of the
general Conditions for Grants, Annex A2 to the Twinning contract).
The financial rules applicable to ‘Twinning Light’ are the same as those for standard Twining, except
that:
a) Equipment and private sector services (other than translation and interpretation where
necessary) are not eligible for funding;
b) Preparatory costs are not eligible for funding;
c) Project assistants are not eligible for funding;
In addition to the IPA and National co-financing as part of the Twinning Contract amount, as a rule,
all twinning contracts must provide additional co-financing on the side of the Beneficiary Institution,
for the purpose of covering costs not covered under the project budget as per Twinning manual, point
5.13, as follows:
- Direct and indirect cost of the Beneficiary administration working for the project;
- Travel by the beneficiary officials from their capitals to a MS or between MS;
- Organisation of seminars/workshops/trainings (incl. venue, printing seminar materials and other
logistical support.)
The following expenses are to be covered with the project funds:
14
- Visibility cost;
- interpretation and translation up to 7% of the budget;
- per diems and incidental costs for the study visit.
The project will be located in the premises of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will ensure
appropriate support and basic equipment for the work of the experts. This includes administrative
support, office space, computers, telephone and fax and other necessary facilities. This contribution
should also include logistical support for various training activities, including selection of trainees (in
consultation with the MS/Mandatory body experts), as well as providing the MS/Mandatory body
experts with the documents and information necessary for project implementation. For Project
interventions in regional Ombudsman offices, the latter shall provide the MS experts with all the
necessary support throughout the period of their intervention.
The twinning partner (project beneficiary) shall provide all available assistance to solve unforeseen
problems that the MS/Mandatory body twinning partner(s) might face.
The latest version of the Twinning Manual and all the provisions therein (Twinning Manual - revision
2012 and annexes) will apply to the contract. The financial arrangements of the Project shall be
finalized upon the preparation of the Project budget.
6
Implementation Arrangements
6.1 Implementing Agency responsible for tendering, contracting and accounting
The Central Financing and Contracting Department (CFCD) will act as a Contracting Authority for the
project, which will be responsible for all aspects for the project's tendering, contracting and payments.
The contact person on behalf of the CFCD is:
Ms. Radica Koceva, Head of Department
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: +389 2 3106 455
fax; +389 2 3231 219
6.2 Main counterpart in the BC
Ombudsman of the Beneficiary Country:
Mr Ixhet Memeti
Dimitrie Cupovski 2
Skopje
Phone:+389 2 3129 335
e-mail: [email protected]
BC Project Leader will be:
Mr Ixhet Memeti
Ombudsman
Dimitrie Cupovski 2.
Skopje
Phone:+389 2 3129 335
Fax:+389 2 3129-359
e-mail: [email protected]
BC Contact person will be:
Ms. Slavica Dimitrievska
15
State Counselor- IPA Unit
Dimitrie Cupovski 2
Skopje
Phone:+389 2 3129 335
Fax:+389 2 3129-359
e-mail: [email protected]
6.3 Contracts
One Twinning Light Contract, with an amount of EUR 250 000.
6.4 Reporting
Reporting requirements as per Art 6.4 of the Twinning Manual
Proper project reporting is essential to ensure adequate follow-up of project implementation and
evaluation of the results. These reports shall consist of a content section and financial section.
Reports will follow the templates of Annex C4/Annex C5 of the Twinning Manual. In addition to
these formal reporting stages, the twinning partners are obliged to inform in writing the Contracting
Authority (CFCD) of any critical aspects or conditions of project implementation, or any
amendments/modifications necessary within the budget.
 A jointly drafted Start-up Report covering the first two months of the contract and submitted
during the third month, which should:
Clearly define the aims and purpose of the aid provided by the project;
Give detailed description of the content of particular parts of the project,
Work out in detail the activities conducted and the results achieved,
Work out in detail all modifications agreed with the beneficiary institution,
Review difficulties met during the implementation of the project and measures that were
undertaken for their removal,
Provide all findings obtained in the meanwhile and preliminary conclusions, and
Contain a general plan of activities for the implementation of the remained duration of the
project.
 A jointly drafted Final Report shall be submitted within three months upon the completion of
the project activities and in any case within the legal duration of the project, and should
contain the following:
Complete review of all activities conducted by MS experts during the implementation of
the project
Achieved progress concerning each activity,
Summary of all project results, with particular emphasis on mandatory results,
Estimation of the project impact compared with the project aims and measures of the
achieved progress,
Identification of all important problems met during the implementation of the contract and
solutions that have been applied,
Lessons drawn from the project, and
Recommendations for further steps in future projects
All Project outputs (assessment reports, recommendations, draft methodologies, etc.) as
attachment.
All reports must be produced in English in electronic and hard copy. These reports shall be signed
by both Member State and Beneficiary Country Project Leaders, and be submitted to the
Contracting Authority. Each report must be presented in electronic format and 4 hard copies two
week prior to the Steering Committee meetings to the relevant participants (the Project Beneficiary,
the Contracting Authority, the members of the Steering Committee and the EU Delegation). All
reports should be written in English and translated into Macedonian language. The final versions
16
should incorporate any comments and discussions during the Steering Committee meetings. Failure to
submit satisfactory reports in time may lead to the decision to suspend EU financing for the project.
7
Implementation Schedule (indicative)
7.1 Launching of the call for proposals (Date) – January 2014
7.2 Start of project activities (Date) – April 2014
7.3 Project completion (Date) – February 2015
7.4 Duration of the execution period
The twining light contract duration is 8 months for implementation of the action. This duration is
increased by the standard 3 months for starting up and closure of activities.
The information provided in the table below is only indicative and is subject to change, by which
the MS can propose different outline regarding number of man days.
Activities
1
Kick off meeting
Support to the regional offices in their daily
tasks and public relations/awareness raising,
written recommendations
Preparation for public campaign materials,
execution of public campaigns (Tetovo,
Bitola, Strumica)
Training/advice on online public relations,
upgrade of the web site and the social media
platforms of the Ombudsman
Round table on Roma inclusivity, written
recommendations
Round table street children, written
recommendations
Round table on persons with special needs,
written recommendations
Training/advice, joint visits to daily centres
for street children, written recommendations
Training/advice, joint visits to social care
centres, centres for rehabilitation, centres for
elderly persons, written recommendations
Training/advice joint visits to centers for
migrants, aliens, asylum seeker
Training/advice to NPM, study visit to the
EU
MS
NPM,
written
recommendations/methodologies
2
3
Months (x = man-days)
4
5
6
7
Man-days
8
x
x
3 WD
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
12 WD
x
36 WD
x
3 WD
x
3 WD
x
x
x
x
96 WD
x
x
x
x
3WD
x
10 WD
x
18 WD
x
x
x
18 WD
x
5 WD
17
Round table on the role of the NPM in
monitoring detention places for aliens,
migrants and asylum seekers
Closing conference
x
3 WD
x
1-8 Months
8
213 WD
Sustainability
The beneficiary administration is fully committed to ensuring long term impact of the Twinning Light
project. The MS Twinning partners shall transfer the know-how necessary to achieve the mandatory
results to the Beneficiary administration. During the project, the twinning partners should develop
documents/handouts, guidelines that will be easily accessible for later use by the beneficiary
administration. Staff benefiting from trainings/study visit shall transfer knowledge through subsequent
training to their colleagues. Moreover, the proposed Evaluation/Lessons Learnt Seminar at the end of
the implementation which capitalises and presents the concrete results with practical implications for
further follow up will add to the sustainability of results.
9
Crosscutting issues
9.1 Civil society
In compliance with the provisions of the IPA Implementing Regulation, the civil society will be
involved through the mainstreaming mechanism developed. Representatives from the civil society
shall be invited to participate in the workshops.
9.2 Equal Opportunity
The project will be implemented according to the regulations of the national legislation providing
equal opportunities for men and women. Twinning partners will be expected to comply with EU Equal
Opportunity policies.
9.3 Environmental considerations
Any ecological friendly initiative which can be taken will have to be implemented.
9.4 Communication and publicity
All requirements to ensure the visibility of EU financing will be fulfilled in accordance with R. (EC).
N. 718/20078.
10 Conditionality and sequencing
10.1 Conditionality
Appointment of the relevant staff by the beneficiaries to participate in training activities is a condition
to be reflected during project implementation.
10.2
Sequencing
n/a.
8
3 WD
See Article 62 and 63 of R. (EC). N. 718/2007
18
ANNEXES TO PROJECT FICHE
1. Logical framework matrix in standard format
2. Implementation chart
3. Organizational chart of the Ombudsman
19
ANNEX 1
LOGFRAME PLANNING MATRIX
Promotion of the Ombudsman competences and
strengthening the capacities of the National Preventive
Mechanism (NPM)
Total budget:
€ 250 000
Overall objective
Objectively verifiable indicators
To enhance the capacities of the Ombudsman in protection of Efficient functioning of the Ombudsman
fundamental rights and freedoms and tTo further promote the visibility
of the Ombudsman competencies among the citizens and relevant
institutions and to enhance the capacity of the Ombudsman and the
quality of the staff in line with the international standards and best
practices
Project purpose
Objectively verifiable indicators



EC Reports
EC Peer review reports
Sources of Verification
Communication with the local
self- government
Number of complaints in the
regional offices
Visibility of the institution
Strengthen capacities of the
NPM team
-
Objectively verifiable indicators
Improved skills and capacities of the Ombudsman’s regional
offices in execution and promotion of the Ombudsman’s
mandate;
Increased visibility and transparency of the Ombudsman
institution inter alia through a streamlined and user-friendlier
website
Raising the awareness on the non-discrimination of Roma
Sources of Verification
Assumptions
-
Тhe purpose of the project is twofold- -to improve the skills and
capacities of the three departments of the Ombudsman: the Department
for non-discrimination and adequate and equitable representation of
minorities, the Department for children rights and rights of persons
with special needs, and the Department of the National Preventive
Mechanism (NPM); and to further promote the mandate of the
Ombudsman for protection of human rights in view of enhancing its
visibility and the accessibility of citizens to its services, particularly in
the rural parts of the country
Results
IPA budget:
€ 250 000
App. 50 members of
the
Ombudsman staff trained;
On-the-job training and advice,
workshops delivered on specific
topics to Ombudsman staff;
One study visit for the NPM
members realised;
-
-
EC reports;
Annual Report of
the Ombudsman
NPM Report.
Sources of Verification
Lists
of
participants on trainings,
evaluation forms, etc,
Training Reports;
Project reports
Report from the
study trip of the NPM
-
Staff committed to respond to the tasks
assigned and assisting the twinning
partners during their assignment;
Assumptions
Respective authorities and institutions
have sufficient capacities and are willing to
cooperate on the issues linked with
implementation;
Highly motivated and trained staff
remains in the Ombudsman structures;
-
20



population, street children and persons with special needs
and enhancing the protection of their rights.
Strengthened skills and capacities in performing field visits
to the daily centres for street children and improved
standards in the daily centres for street children;
Strengthened skills and capacities in performing field visits
to social care centres, centres for rehabilitation, centres for
elderly person and improved standards in these centres
Improved skills and methodologies of the NPM for
performing unannounced follow up visits to places of
deprivation of liberty and for monitoring detention places for
aliens, migrants and asylum seekers
- Eligible complaints brought before
the Ombudsman institution increased
by 5 % as compared to preceding
period
- Visits to Ombudsman website
increased by 5 % as compared to
preceding periods
- Joint visits to relevant institutions
conducted
- Media coverage on the Project
maintained
Surveys
of
personnel in regional
Ombudsman offices
Website/social
media
platforms
of
the
Ombudsman
Media articles
-
The measurable indicators are:
Result 1
1. Tailored training andadvice on public outreach/awareness raising
campaigns to all regional Ombudsman Offices provided
2. public outreach/awareness raising campaigns in three regional
centres (Tetovo, Bitola, Strumica) jointly organized, promotional
materials distributed and published on the Ombudsman website;
3. Cases brought to the Ombudsman that fall within its mandate
increased by at least 5% in comparison to those that do not fall within
its mandate;
4. Tailored on-the-job trainings and advice on the work of Ombudsman
provided to the personnel of all regional Ombudsman offices;
5. Written recommendations delivered and implemented in practice;
6. Skills and capacities of the regional Ombudsman offices increased as
confirmed by surveys of the personnel.
Result 2
1. The website and social media platforms of the Ombudsman
upgraded in line with best international practices
2. New web applications/sub-websites for individual Ombudsman
departments/units developed ;
3. Tailored advice and recommendations on online public relations of
the Ombudsman and maintenance of the website/social media portals
provided.
4. Increased visits to the Ombudsman website by 5% as compared to
preceding periods;
Result 3
21
1. Multi-stakeholder roundtables on non-discrimination of Roma, street
children and persons with special needs organized with participation of
Twinning Light partner’s experts;
2. Written recommendations based on the findings of these roundtables
provided and implemented in practice by the beneficiary country
Result 4
1. Tailored training and advice on the visits to the centres for street
children provided.
2. Joint visits to the daily centres for street children carried out.
3. Written assessment of the conditions and standards in the daily
centres for street children issued;
4. Written recommendations on the improvement of standards in line
with international requirements and best practices provided and
implemented in practice.
Results 5
1. Tailored training and advice on the visits to social care centres,
centres for rehabilitation, centres for elderly persons provided
2.Joint visits to social care centres, centres for rehabilitation, centres
for elderly persons conducted;
3. Written recommendations for carrying out preventive visits to such
centres given and implemented in practice.
Result 6
1. Tailored training and advice on the follow up visits to places of
depriuvation of liberty and on the monitoring of detention places for
aliens, migrants and asylum seekers provided to the NPM team
2. Study visit to the NPM body of the Twinning Light Partner
conducted
3. Written recommendations and methodologies for carrying out
unannounced follow up visits to places of deprivation of liberty, as
well as on the monitoring of detention places for aliens, migrants and
asylum seekers provided and implemented in practice
4. A roundtable on the monitoring of detention places for aliens,
migrants and asylum seekers organized.
22
Activities

1. Improvement of skills and capacities of the
Ombudsman’s regional offices in execution and
promotion of the Ombudsman’s mandate
Means
Specification of costs
Assumptions
Appropriate expertise is available (in
view of limited experience with IPA);
Beneficiary institutions can make
(qualified) staff available to participate
actively and contribute in all Project
activities.
-
MS twinning partner input:
-
1 MS Project Leader,
pool of short-term experts.

tailored on-the-job training and advice to all regional
Ombudsman offices (in Tetovo, Kumanovo, Shtip, BC partner input:
Bitola, Strumica and Kichevo) on various aspects of
- 1 BC Project Leader,
Ombudsman work, as well as on the planning,
- BC contact person,
organization and management of public outreach and
- Ombudsman staff.
awareness raising campaigns on human rights and the
instruments to defend them.

In Tetovo, Bitola and Strumica three pilot public
outreach and awareness raising campaigns organized
and promotional/information materials on human
rights and the mandate of the Ombudsman produced
and published on the Ombudsman website.

written recommendations to all regional Ombudsman
offices for the improvement of their performance.

opinion surveys of the personnel of these regional
offices conducted at the beginning and in the end of
intervention.

2. Increasing visibility and transparency of the
Ombudsman through more streamlined website and
social media platforms

The Ombudsman website and social media platforms
upgraded and streamlined

new web applications/sub-websites for individual
Ombudsman departments/units developed to enhance
transparency, information and user-friendliness for
service recipients.

Tailored advice and recommendations on online public
relations of the Ombudsman and maintenance of the
website/social media portals provided
EURO 250.000
23

3. Improvement of conditions for Roma education,
street children and persons with special needs and
enhancement of protection of their rights

At least three multi-stakeholder roundtables on Roma
education, street children and persons with special
needs organized

written recommendations provided.

4. Strengthening the skills and capacities in performing
field visits to the daily centres for street children and
improvement of standards in the daily centres for street
children

tailored training and advice on conducting the visits to
the centres for street children.

Joint visits to the daily centres for street children
carried out.

Written assessment of the conditions and standards in
the daily centres for street children, as well as written
recommendations on the improvement of these
standards in line with international requirements issued
and discussed with relevant institutions.

5. Strengthening the skills and capacities in performing
field visits to social care centres, centres for
rehabilitation, centres for elderly person and
improvement of standards in these centres

tailored training and advice on conducting the visits to
social care centres, centres for rehabilitation, centres
for elderly persons.

Joint visits by EU MS NPM team and other relevant
experts to social care centres, centres for rehabilitation,
centres for elderly persons carried out.

Written recommendations for carrying out visits to
such centres provided and introduced to the
24
Ombudsman and other relevant bodies.

6. Improvement of skills and methodologies of the
NPM for performing unannounced follow up visits to
places of deprivation of liberty

tailored training and advice on the follow up visits to
the NPM team and on the monitoring of detention
places for aliens, migrants and asylum seekers.

A study visit for the local NPM team to the EU MS
NPM body for experience sharing in conducting follow
up visits and on the monitoring of detention places for
aliens, migrants and asylum seekers organized.

Written recommendations and methodologies for
carrying out unannounced follow up visits to places of
deprivation of liberty, as well as on the monitoring of
detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum
seekers provided and introduced to the relevant
institutions.

A multi-stakeholder roundtable on the monitoring of
detention places for aliens, migrants and asylum
seekers organized.
Preconditions:
1) Appointment of counterpart in the beneficiary before launching the tender procedure;
2) Allocation of working space and facilities by the beneficiary for technical assistance before launching the tender procedure;
3) Organisation, selection and appointment of members of working groups, steering and coordination committees, seminars by the beneficiary for the proper functioning of the project;
4) Appointment of the relevant staff by the beneficiaries to participate in training activities.
25
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
ANNEX 2 - Implementation chart
2013
Implementation
period of the
Twinning Light
Project
Execution
period of the
Twinning Light
Project
2014
2015
x x x x x x x x
x x x
26