Compared to the previous monitoring cycle North Macedonia has made progress in strengthening transparency and efficiency in public financial management (PFM), public procurement, and state audit, but significant challenges remain in inclusiveness, implementation, and usability of information. While strategic frameworks support transparency, citizen participation in budget formulation is minimal. Legal provisions allow public input during early planning, but the actual budget process is closed to non-state actors.
The legal and strategic framework in the area of public procurement is strong, emphasizing transparency and competitiveness through the Strategy for Improving the Public Procurement System 2022–2026 and the Law on Public Procurement. The central procurement portal is accessible and data-rich. However, implementation gaps persist. The State Audit Office (SAO) shows strong commitment to openness and stakeholder engagement. Its Communication Strategy 2024–2027 includes concrete measures for cooperation with civil society, media, Parliament, and other institutions. The SAO also actively promotes its findings through digital and media outreach.