Context
North Macedonia’s fight against corruption involves a national strategy and action plan overseen by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC). Previously, the SCPC monitored progress through reports submitted by state institutions. However, this process had limitations.
The EU’s IPA 2 project provided financial and technical support to address this challenge. With this backing, the SCPC collaborated with an IT company to develop a new web-based software tool. This application streamlines the reporting process for state institutions responsible for implementing the National Strategy action plan.
Objectives
The new software offers several key functionalities. State institutions can submit reports electronically, eliminating the need for scanned documents. The system automatically generates comprehensive reports, simplifying data collection and monitoring for the SCPC. Additionally, the application provides different user views based on assigned roles, allowing SCPC staff to efficiently manage reports.
The software also facilitates communication between the SCPC and state institutions. Coordinators within these institutions can continuously review action plan activities and generate documents outlining progress for internal reporting. This feature expedites report collection and ensures efficient implementation of the SCPC’s monitoring role.
Implementation
The development of the web tool involved close collaboration between the SCPC and a team of computer engineers. Daily communication ensured that the application met the specific needs of the SCPC and simplified reporting for the participating institutions. The design of the application allows it to be adapted to monitor future national strategies with similar structures.
Financially, the project highlights the benefits of international collaboration. EU IPA 2 funding supported the selection of the IT company, keeping the development cost at about €19 000. This investment has resulted in a valuable tool that strengthens transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption in North Macedonia.
Overall, the project demonstrates the power of collaboration and technological innovation in the fight against corruption. The new web tool enables the SCPC to effectively monitor the progress of the National Strategy action plan and ultimately promote a more transparent and effective system.