Human capital development in Macedonia: role and efficient usage of IPA funds
Human capital development in Macedonia: role and efficient usage of IPA funds

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this research paper is to strengthen and broaden research on the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Macedonia, particularly to identify and address the key issues and major areas of intervention under the IPA Human Resource Development Component (IPA IV) and their role in the achievement of the programme’s four Priority outcomes. The evaluation aims to explain IPA efficiency and investment in human capital from a country perspective and to gather relevant information for the national priorities in the area of human resources development. It also attempts to identify areas for concern in the implementation of the overall programme and to provide policy recommendations on how the HRD programme can improve the achievement of its main outcomes. Despite the IPA support for the human resource development and labour market improvements (2007-2013), high unemployment still points to an underutilisation of human capital in Macedonia, with a little progress made in the area of social policy and employment and the measures supported under the IPA IV component, taken to improve access to the labour market for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, remain insufficient. Generally accepted, IPA rules and procedures are complex and difficult to apply. The insufficiency of information affects all parties in both the central and local government circles, as well as in the civil sector. We assume that the low participation in the IPA programme, particularly within the HRD component, the low level of transparency and inefficient usage of the funds, is a result of the lack of multi-partnership platform for cooperation among the stakeholders, private entities and CSO’s, active at this domain.

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