How many civic organizations are there in Macedonia?
 

Are you familiar with the number of civic organizations in Macedonia? You can find the answer to that in the seventh edition of the Address Book of the Civic Organizations in Macedonia, prepared by the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation - MCIC.

As you will have the chance to observe there, since 1998, when the Law for Civic Associations and Foundations was passed, the number of registered, or, re-registered organizations have come to 5312. But you will also notice, that the Address Book contains information only about 1509 of them. Why is that so?

The answer is very simple. Most of the civic organizations practically do not exist. Although they stand as figures in the main register, the actual situation is quite different. Therefore, when gathering data, it occurred that we surprised certain people who happened to live at some civic organizations' addresses that were stated in the register, and leave them wonder who or what we were actually looking for.

A great number of them, not having their offices or headquarters, report their home addresses, or the addresses of their, grandmothers, grandfathers or some other relatives. And then, it is a question of time, whether these organizations will start functioning, or what will happen with the data they left in the register, leaving aside the motive of their associating.

So, according to our experience, the number of associations stated above, although correct compared to the registration in the court register, must be much lower, regarding the actual and the effective existence of certain associations.

The latest MCIC Address Book offers completely correct information about the organizations that are part of it, which include contact information, as well as information that can serve for evaluating their organizational capacity. It gives an opportunity for increasing the transparency and for better information and communication between the civic organizations themselves, as well as with the general public.

The Address Book can be obtained or ordered at the MCIC.

 

Daniel Medaroski