On February 24, 2021 ISIE has organized the final event of the Watchdog of Consumer Protection Project. The first mobile app for consumer protection – Potrosuvaci MK, along with a Monitoring report of 7 key – institutions for consumer protection, 5 guides for consumers and a new website www.zastitanapotrosuvaci.mk have been promoted. All project outputs are available in Macedonian and Albanian language.
ISIE representative Darko Spasevski has emphasized the key-findings and recommendations of the Monitoring report. In that direction, he has stressed the importance of capacity building and human resources training as well as increased participation of the civil society in the aforementioned institutions.
The representative of the Government of North Macedonia – Secretariat on European Affairs, Hristina Koneska – Beroska, has addressed at the promotional event and underlined the significance of consumer protection in the EU accession negotiations.
Finally, the representative of the project “Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia”, Sherife Ismaili – Kasapi has stated that the protection of consumers in the European Union is performed through protection of their economic interests and continuous training of citizens. She has also emphasized that through harmonization of the legislation process the country will meet the EU standards for consumer protection.
The project Watchdog of Consumer Justice: Strengthening Capacities of CSOs and Media to Monitor, Promote and Advocate for Consumer Protection in North Macedonia, was implemented by the Institute for Strategic Research and Education – ISIE from Skopje in the period December 2019 – February 2021.
The goal of the project was to strengthen the capacities of the civil society organizations and the media to better track and report about the procedures for resolution of consumer disputes. The project was particularly focused on proceedings of various regulatory bodies and agencies, as well as inspection bodies, in resolving consumer disputes.
This project is implemented with a grant awarded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency through the ‘Nordic support for the progress of North Macedonia” project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of Republic of North Macedonia for integration into the European Union, as well as to assist in the inclusion of civil society organizations and the media during all phases of the accession process.
For more information, visit www.zastitanapotrosuvaci.mk