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This document presents the program of activities of FINANCE THINK - Economic Research & Policy Institute, Skopje for the calendar year 2017. The plan is structured around four pillars of Institute’s work: 1. Research 2. Analytics 3. Advocacy and communication 4. Capacity building and networking
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1. RESEARCH
skills, education, qualification and facilitating their full integration into the society and the labor market. This overarching objective is broken down into specific purposes involving concrete interventions on three fronts: •
Purpose 1: Improve the efficiency of employment and social services as a way of promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups by assisting professionals from the Employment Centres and the Centres for Social Work in developing new skills as ‘Mentors for Social Inclusion’;
•
Purpose 2: Empower vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and give them the skills and experience required to breaking down the hurdles they encounter on their journeys into long-term work and independence through a pre-employment training program and work placements or internships in local businesses and social enterprises;
•
Purpose 3: Foster improvements in service delivery by designing new family support services, raising public awareness, and developing effective partnerships among keystakeholders (local self-government units, governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations involved in service delivery, social partners, education and training providers) to produce results on the ground.
Research activities for 2017 have been planned as follows: 1. FISCAST+: Fiscal transparency and accountability improves policies in quality of life, education and health The objective of the project is to address efficiency and quality of selected policies in quality of life, education and health through public debate and policy options derived from data and evidence. The project is expected to bring the following changes: •
Changed general understanding of the importance of specific policies and measures within the QEH areas
•
Increased availability of data in the specific areas set base for evidence-based policymaking
•
Steered public debate and increased public awareness about the issues
•
Increased pressure on policymakers for better and more efficient public policies and measures in the QEH areas
•
Improved research capacity, networking and sharing of expertise
The project will deliver the following outputs: •
Mapping and selection of policies per year in three areas (QEH)
•
Research and production of results
•
Links with media outlets and development of outreach products (comms strategy)
•
Capacity building for teams and media for use of data, cost benefit analysis and policy options
2. Promoting Active Inclusion of Disadvantaged Persons Excluded from the Labor Market Overall objective of the project is to increase the activation of persons at risk of social exclusion in the labor market by improving their
3. Analysis of youth underemployment in Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia The primary objectives of the proposal are: 1. To investigate the interaction between underemployment and personal, household and community characteristics, in rigorous econometric manner by considering potential selectivity bias into underemployment; 2. To investigate the effect of underemployment on personal wellbeing, in rigorous econometric manner by considering their potential simultaneity and wellbeing way of measuring through self-perception; As well the following secondary objectives: 3. To portray the issue of youth underemployment in Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, through simple statistics and charts, as such information has been lacking so far; 4. To reveal the importance of gender differences in characterizing underemployment and its effect on worker’s welfare; 5.
To devise credible recommendations to 3
research
between men and women) and motherhood pay gaps (difference in wages between mothers and childless women) in Macedonia and to advocate solutions for addressing the prevalent pay gaps. In particular, previous research has demonstrated that Macedonia faces gender and motherhood wage gaps of 12.5% and 8.7%, respectively. However, a large part of females remains outside the labour market and can therefore not be considered when the pay gap is calculated (as their wage is not observed). This makes the above figures incorrect, since it is likely that females who stay outside the labour market are not randomly selected not to work. Hence, one bold challenge is to obtain knowledge for the proper calculation of pay gaps, i.e. econometric (technical) knowledge
policymakers in the form of specific instruments to tackle underemployment. 4. “My money, my responsibility”: Participative budgeting in the municipalities in Macedonia The overall purpose of the project is to enhance local-stakeholders’ practice and participation in the local budgeting process and to increase the effectiveness of the municipal-money spending. The particular objectives/tasks of the project include: •
•
•
To increase participation of local stakeholders – civil society, business community, citizens, local media - in the municipal-budgeting processes; To increase awareness of local citizens for how spending of municipal money affects their quality of life; To increase the credibility and effectiveness of local governments’ decisions related to the spending of public money, as well raise awareness for the (need for) transparency related to it.
5. “Heroes and she-roes”: Knowledge for analysis of and advocacy for equal pay for women and mothers in Macedonia (SHEROES) The objective of this project is to correctly measure gender pay gaps (difference in wages 4
to address the selectivity bias in the labour market. The project envisages activities positioned within three pillars: •
Professional development thorough capacity building and direct knowledge transfer.
•
Collaborative research.
•
Building networks for advocacy, promotion and collaboration beyond the project cycle
6. Advocacy for evidence-based economic policymaking and ignition of the critical economic debate in Macedonia The overall objective of the project is to further strengthen the organizational capacity of the Institute in supporting the economic policy decision makers to deliver credible policy decisions based on research findings, as well in igniting the debate in the society about economic processes and reforms.
STAGES AND DEADLINES
Project: FISCAST+ Stage Matrix of the public policies in the areas of health, education and quality of life through desk screening of the existing policies and measures 2 workshops on building synergies in economic analysis and identification of mutual interest conducted 8 most important policies are selected, and the teams that will work on their analysis are formed 2 focus groups with the citizens of Skopje and Prilep are conducted A Facebook survey “What does quality life means for you?” conducted 3 Info-graphs, 1 GIF and 1 video were produced
Planned Tasks Micro data collection for unavailable or no-existence data Upgrade of fiscast.mk with a large database platform Creating VITAL - the core of stakeholders Re-granting developing studies Publication of studies Grants for journalistic stories Producing “My story” – a storytelling leaflet, touching upon particular person/life Visualization/animation of the collected data through graphs and info-graphs Participation in the media with short statements, interviews and expert opinions (FT Staff) Video production At least three thematic round tables Economic forum Midterm workshop to track progress and outreach strategy Small workshop for the journalists to get know the teams
Deadline March 2018
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Project: PROMOTING ACTIVE INCLUSION Stage A media and working plan was created Four focus groups with employment and social welfare professionals and disadvantaged groups conducted Two training needs analysis created 3-day training to employment and social welfare professionals was conducted Six 2-day sessions of pre-employment training to disadvantaged groups was conducted Four networking corners were established A toolkit for supervision was produced The piloting of the mentoring process started Leaflets and posters were produced The web site www.vrabotime.mk was built
Planned Tasks Piloting of the social mentoring model Manual “Mentors for social inclusion� Design of Family Support Services and Referral Mechanisms Production of a TV spot Establishing one networking corner Organization of training for employment and social welfare professionals Production of the guidelines for work placement Organization of 2 focus groups with employment and social welfare professionals Production of Service Protocol Organization of 5 seminars for the stakeholders Organization of 4 panel discussions Production of 4 policy briefs Organization of the final conference
Deadline August 2018
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Project: YOUTH UNDEREMPLOYMENT Stage Not started yet
Planned Tasks Literature review Descriptive analysis Establishing econometric model Comparative analysis Advocacy in front of the policymakers
Deadline September 2018
Project: HEROES AND SHE-ROES Stage Working meeting about the forms for transferring Statistical training on the econometrics of gender and motherhood pay gaps knowledge and skills was conducted Three research stays at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies were conducted FT staff participated at 5 wiiw thematic seminars/workshops in Vienna A round table was conducted An info-graph and show card were produced A video “Gender wage gaps in Macedonia through the perspective of 5 women� was produced
Planned Tasks Upgrade of www.edplako.mk Producing a manual for proper calculation of the gender wage gap Organization of a round table and rewards for the gender responsible companies
Deadline March 2017
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Project: “MY MONEY, MY RESPONSIBILITY” Stage Selection of 10-15 municipalities to participate in the project
Planned Tasks Approaching the Municipalities and the Mayor Situational and stakeholder analysis Initial meetings of the key stakeholders Train the trainers
Deadline March 2020
Project: ADVOCACY FOR EVIDENCE-BASED ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING AND IGNITION OF THE CRITICAL ECONOMIC DEBATE IN MACEDONIA Stage A training on Delphi method was conducted A visual designer was employed Two graphometrix, two FT comments and few FT opinions were published A retreat meeting of the team was organized A study visit of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies for knowledge transfer on administrative management of a think tank
Planned Tasks Attending JBI courses Organizing “Coffee with journalists” Devising FT comments, FT opinions, graphometrix and other publications Regular publication at Facebook and Twitter Participation as quest speakers at universities in Macedonia Constitution of Supervisory Board and Policy Council Conduct a study visit at Western institute for transfer of know-how related to the M&E strategy Devising an internal M&E system Elevating the web platform www.doznaki.mk Introducing a policy for internal knowledge sharing and dissemination Strengthening the flexi-work policy with provisions for fathers Devising a compendium / practice of the research formats usually used by FT
Deadline August 2018
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2. ANALYTICS
4. Delivering few issues of FT Opinion – a condensed and swift reaction to the moves of the daily economic policy and trends; 5. Producing at least 10 Info-graphs and 5 GIFs on ‘hot’ economic topics; 6. Devising an ‘Index of financial stability’ to inform policymakers in the financial areas (mainly central-bank policymakers) and the wider public, herewith understood as being financial analysts and employed in banks, pension funds, insurance system; economic faculties and research centers; financial managers in the corporate sector; other civil organizations; savers;
The following analytical activities have been planned for 2017: 1. Delivering at least 5 issues of Graphometrix – the observer of the national, regional and global economy through graphs; 2. Delivering 4 issues of the Macro-monitor – the macro-observer of the national economy with a forward looking elements; 3. Delivering at least 3 FT Comments – a commentary of important national and international documents, reports, strategies and so on, concerning Macedonia;
7. Devising a ‘Leading Composite Index’ based on combining indicators considered to precede economic activity with a time lag of about six months ahead. 8. Improving the economic datasets to be available for analysis purposes by the other NGOs and other interested parties, and presenting those data in an easily understandable format for non-economists;
STAGES AND DEADLINES 1. 2.
Activity
Stage
Planned tasks
Deadline
Graphometrix
Ongoing
Devising at least 5 issues
Continuously over 2017
Ongoing
Devising 4 issues
Continuously over 2017
Macro-monitor
3.
FT Comment
Ongoing
Devising at least 3 issues
Continuously over 2017
4.
FT Opinion
Ongoing
Devising few issues
Continuously over 2017
5.
Info-graphs and GIFs
Ongoing
Devising at least 10 info-graphs and 5 GIFs
Continuously over 2017
Published 6.
Index of financial stability
Index for
Devising and publishing the
the period
index for the period 2017 -
2006:Q1 –
onward
Continuously
2015:Q1 Published 7.
Leading Composite Index
Index for
Devising and publishing the
the period
index for the period 2017 -
01/2013-
onward
Continuously
05/2016 8. 10
Improving data-sets
Ongoing
Improving the datasets
Continuously over 2017
3. ADVOCACY & COMMUNICATION
social welfare sector; 13. Organization of mid-term conference within the project “Promoting active inclusion of disadvantaged persons excluded from the labor market”; 14. Organization of a final conference to present the results of the project “Promoting active inclusion of disadvantaged persons excluded from the labor market”;
The following advocacy and communication activities have been planned for 2016: 1. Continuous publication of research results and findings in the form of articles in international peer-reviewed journals; monographs; chapters in books and so on; 2. Devising at least three policy briefs on issues pertinent to the economic development in Macedonia and stemming out of current research – so as to advocate for innovative solutions and to educate citizens on their potential contribution in solving the problems; 3. Updating the resource center for public spending www.fiscast.mk with large data base; 4. Re-granting and Production of policy studies; 5.
Production of journalistic stories;
6.
Production of “My story” leaflet;
7. Production of videos on the topics of health, education and/or quality of life; 8. Elevating the web platform www. doznaki.mk;
15. Upgrading web platform www.edplako.mk with a module to gather at one place similar studies, persons working on gender inequalities in Macedonia and the region, link to Austrian researchers; link to wiiw databases and so on. 16. Organizing an economic forum to present the results of the project ““Heroes and she-roes”: Knowledge for analysis of and advocacy for equal pay for women and mothers in Macedonia (SHE-ROES)” ,to reinforce the power of EdPlaKo-MK and to reward the gender-responsible companies in Macedonia; 17. Organization of “Coffee with journalists” few times per year, to secure friendly and intense communication with the journalists, so as to be able to affect the discourse of the public economic debate; 18. Organization of Annual Panel Debate on “hot” topic with prominent speakers, at the end of the year; 19. Advocating (“fighting for”) for more space for economic news in the media by stronger links with them.
9. Production of TV broadcast on the themes of social exclusion; 10. Organization of 4 panel discussions focused on the problems disadvantaged and marginalized groups face with accessing the labor market; 11. Disseminating E-newsletter with information about project activities, results and upcoming events; 12. Organization of 5 seminars with key stakeholders from the public, private and third sector of the employment and 11
STAGES AND DEADLINES
Activity 1. 2.
International publications Policy briefs
Stage Ongoing
Planned tasks Articles, monographs, chapters in books
Deadline Continuously over 2017
Ongoing
Devising at least 3 issues
Continuously over 2017
Built
Upgrading with large data set
Continuously over 2017
Not started
Re-granting developing studies
January-February 2017
Not started
Publishing the developing
yet
studies
Journalistic
Not started
Production of journalistic
stories
yet
stories
Resource 3.
center www. fiscast.mk Re-granting
4.
developing studies Publishing the
5.
developing studies
6.
July-September 2017
July-December 2017
A Call for 7.
“My story� leaflets
submitting personal stories was
Processing the stories and production of at least 5 leaflets
February- May 2017
opened Two videos 8.
Videos on
on quality of
Production of at least 2 more
QEH topics
life topic was
videos
Continuously over 2017
produced The TV 9.
TV broadcast
broadcast
Production of TV broadcast on
is in its final
themes for social exclusion
phase
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January 2017
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Activity
Stage
Panel discus-
Not started
sions
yet
E-newsletter
Seminars
project activities, results and
duced
upcoming events
Not started
Organization of seminars with
yet
key stakeholders
yet Ongoing
January-March 2017
ized groups
was pro-
ence
mk
sion on problems of marginalDevising e-newsletter on
Not started
Deadline
Organization of 4 panel discus-
One issue
Final confer-
www.edplako.
Planned tasks
January and July 2017
April 2017
Organization of final conference to present the results of
July 2017
the EU-funded project Upgrading the web platform
January-March 2017
Organizin an economic forum Economc fo15.
rum - HEROES and SHE-ROES
Not started yet
to present the final results, the Manual for calculation of the
January 2017
gender wage gap and the web platform www.edplako.mk
16. 17. 18.
Coffee with
Not started
journalists
yet
Annual Panel
Not started
Conduct of a debate on hot
Debate
yet
topic
Media
Ongoing
Organizing few times per year
Increasing the presence in media
Throughout 2017 December 2017 Continuously over 2017
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4. CAPACITY BUILDING AND NETWORKING
The following capacity building activities have been planned for 2017: 1. Conduct an online course Public Policy Evaluation at the University Laval, Canada; 2. Conduct a study visit at Western institute for transfer of know-how related to the M&E strategy; 3. Constitution of Policy Council and Supervisory Board;
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4. Participation in at least two international conferences to present results of ongoing projects and/or to build network with international researchers; 5. Participation at domestic conference, round tables, forums and other similar events, so as to present ongoing research and build networks with domestic researchers, other NGOs, government representatives and media; 6. Networking with citizens, CSOs, business community, local government, Mayor and media within the project “My money, my responsibilities�; 7. Initiating cooperation (leading to Memos of understanding) with repute domestic institutions and other NGOs conducting similar or complementary activities; 8. Participation at seminars for equipping with advocacy skills and research methods; 9. Securing a referent literature, mainly research methods and econometrics.
STAGES AND DEADLINES
Activity 1.
Online course Study visit
2.
at Western Institute
Stage
Planned tasks
Not started
Conduct an online course Pub-
yet
lic Policy Evaluation
Deadline March 2017
Conduct a study visit at WestNot started
ern institute for transfer of
yet
know-how related to the M&E
September 2017
strategy Constitution of 2 bodies which
Policy Council 3.
and Supervisory Board
will secure a direct channel of Not started
interaction with the policymak-
yet
ers and will observe, supervise
Throughout 2017
and evaluate Finance Think’s work.
International 4.
Not started
Participate on at least two
yet
conferences
conference /
Not started
Participate on at least three
round table
yet
events
conference participation
Continuously over 2017
Domestic 5.
Continuously over 2017
participation Networking 6.
with munici-
Networking with citizens, busiOngoing
ness sector, CSOs, Mayor, local
Not started
Sign a MoU with at least one
yet
institution/organization
Not started
Attend seminars for advocacy
yet
and research skills
Ongoing
Securing relevant literature
palities 7.
MoUs
8.
Trainings
9.
Literature
Continuously over 2017
media September 2017 Continuously over 2017 Continuously over 2017
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