The sub-grant: “Face to Face with Integrity: Mobilizing Citizens and Media for Political Integrity in North Macedonia” was part of the project “Integrity Watch in the Western Balkans and Turkey: Civil Society Organizations in the Fight Against Corruption Using Political Integrity Data”, supported by the European Union. This sub-grant was implemented by PUBLIC- Association for research, communications and development.
The project aimed to strengthen political integrity in North Macedonia by transforming complex anti-corruption data into accessible, engaging, citizen-friendly communication. Through a dedicated online resource section, creative multimedia content, and participatory storytelling, the project will increase public awareness of corruption risks in political finance, law-making, and public procurement.
In order to achieve the set-up goal numerous activities and citizens engagement were conducted. On the web site of “Lice v lice”, was added new web section which contain all the info and materials related to the project: https://licevlice.mk/licevlice-so-integritetot/. In the section are available 73 accessible resources, including: 19 articles with two in-depth analytical reports, five interviews, four news articles, two online galleries of the selected artworks from the exhibitions in Struga and Veles, as well as other campaign materials such as an animated video, reels, photos, illustrations, infographics, and two ECR interactive tools.
Two analysis and five interviews were developed in order to pint out risks and gaps in establishing political integrity.
The first analysis examines environmental justice, or how corruption contributes to poor air quality in North Macedonia. The analysis states: “Polluted air is not just an environmental issue! It is a direct reflection of political integrity and the extent of corruption. When institutions allow industrial polluters to operate without oversight, when laws are adjusted to fit business interests, and when inspectors are under pressure or corrupt, the cost is paid by the citizens: illness, shortened lives, and a loss of trust in the state. The fight against pollution is at the same time a fight for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law – so that the air we breathe every day can be safe, and institutions can serve the public rather than private interests.”
The full analysis is available at the following link: https://licevlice.mk/zagaduvanje-na-vozduhot-korupcija-makedonija/
The second analysis opens the question that brings together the issue of environmental waste and political integrity: how the state manages the import of waste, and whether the system is capable of protecting citizens when the legal process appears safe “on paper,” but in reality remains vulnerable to influence and abuse.
The full analysis is available at the following link: https://licevlice.mk/dekada-na-gjubre-ugostivme-2-2-milijardi-kilogrami-otpad/
Five interviews with relevant experts were conducted exploring implementation of political integrity in various sectors. How political integrity is correlated with different professions and positions in Macedonian society. These interviews are available on the following links:
- Ana Petrovska: When inspectors make compromises, pollution becomes “normal”
- Marjan Kalevski: Who and how Skopje is being polluted has become a business secret
- Professor Nenad Marković: The state cannot solve corruption as long as it generates it itself
- Lence Ristoska: Impunity normalizes injustice
- Marija Mirchevska: Corruption is not abstract: how institutional failures endanger citizens’ lives
In order to make corruption risks more tangible and understandable—especially for youth and marginalized groups, Public mobilised young artists (ages 16–29) to create innovative, visually compelling materials communicating political integrity issues. The selected arts were showcased during a public exhibition. The first one was held in Euro House Struga and the second one in Euro House Veles. The event organized including high school students, university students, young artists and designers, as well as representatives from local civil society organizations, youth groups and other local actors. The discussion generated strong interest among young participants highlighting that political integrity is not an abstract concept but a daily choice that directly shapes the quality of life of citizens. Participants raised concerns related to selective justice, the normalization of corruption, abuse of power, and public disappointment with unfulfilled political promises, demonstrating a high level of awareness and critical thinking about governance and accountability.
1st place art award
“Knot”
Andrijana Vesovska, Skopje
Corruption and nepotism are entangled like intestines. The way out of this labyrinth without beginning and end is on the horizon. The way out requires the courage to cut the threads. The work encourages us to see the situation from a different perspective and to seek action.
2nd place art award
“We are fed up!”
Bisera Kjurchinska, Kumanovo
We want to live, not survive. We are fed up with a system that favors connections over knowledge and honesty. It is time to speak out and demand respect, opportunity, and justice.
3rd place art award
“Wake Up Everything”
Anika Cvetanovska, Skopje
In a city full of beguiling beauty and promises floating on the horizon, one character sees clearly. The work is a call to shed silent submission, to take off rose-colored glasses, and to stop believing in the dreams that are sold to us as happiness.
Special Award:
“We Breathe Excuses”
Klementina Sokolovska, Makedonska Kamenica
Every day we “breathe” promises that disappear into thin air: “we have no authority”, “we are working on it”, “that is the procedure”… These excuses leave a mark on our lives. But we are all in the same “boat”. We feel the consequences of the lack of transparency and accountability together.
Within the project was used the BIRN Community Engagement Tool in order to strengthen the approach to inclusive, participatory engagement, ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including youth, directly shaped the campaign’s narrative on political integrity and accountability. Throughout the project were gathered 93 responses from citizens across North Macedonia. The submissions highlighted concerns about the lack of political integrity in relation to environmental issues, particularly air pollution and its impact on citizens’ quality of life, as well as other areas where governance and accountability affect daily life. Two separate ECR questionnaires were published to facilitate the collection of these perspectives, ensuring the engagement of a broad and diverse group of respondents. The collected responses were actively used to inform campaign content and communication materials, including the two analytical stories, the animated video, but also, social media content, ensuring that the messaging was evidence-based and grounded in lived experiences.
