On Thursday, December 7, 2017, the Platform of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for Fight Against Corruption supported by USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (CEP) marked International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9) by organizing a conference titled, “State capture - political, social and economic interests”. Around eighty representatives from civil society organizations, the executive, legislative, and judicial authorities, as well as representatives from the donor community and media participated in the conference. The panelists provided observations on the government’s actions aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and identified challenges and opportunities for civil society organizations and the media to contribute to the same goal.  

Albert Musliu, Platform of CSOs for Fight Against Corruption Representative, Edward Gonzalez, USAID General Development Office Director, Oliver Spasovski, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and Minister of Interior Affairs, and Lukaš Holub, Head of Political and Justice and Home Affairs, Information and Communication, Delegation of the European Union made brief remarks.

In his remarks, USAID General Development Office Director Edward Gonzalez said, “The issue of the fight against corruption along with promotion of the rule of law remains a high priority of the U.S. Government, not only here in Macedonia, but also in the region and across the globe. Today’s conference, marking International Anti-corruption Day, has brought together key players in the fight against corruption in Macedonia”.

USAID’s CEP’s is a five-year project that aims to enhance the capacity of CSOs and youth groups to advance public policies, improve public services, promote good governance, and contribute to improving the standard of living in Macedonia. The Platform of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for Fight Against Corruption is implementing a grant titled, “Strengthening the CSOs Platform for Fight Against Corruption” funded by USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (CEP). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CEPMacedonia/.