Management Response

: Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
: 2022 - 2023 , Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of (PP)
: Final Evaluation of project “Gender mainstreaming advisory services to the North Macedonian administration at central level”
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: Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
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The final evaluation of the Project Final Evaluation of project “Gender mainstreaming advisory services to the North Macedonian administration at central level” commonly known as the Gender Equality Facility (GEF) Project (2020 - 2023)” implemented by UN Women Office in North Macedonia provided a very good assessment of the progress made by UN Women and its partners. The report presents also important findings, lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations. Furthermore, the findings and conclusions from this evaluation were systematically used during the inception phase providing in-depth orientation on proven practices, challenges and lessons learned. The useful overview of the programmatic progress and performance of the interventions from the perspective of their relevance, effectiveness, impact, organizational efficiency, and sustainability. The evaluation findings show that the project was meticulously designed, while the interventions and the results were of highest relevance to the needs and priorities of the beneficiaries, recognizing the specific challenges and requirements of the Country. The Project contributed to international obligations, including EU integration and alignment with EU Gender Acquis and SDGs. Further the evaluation finds that the partners consider Project as a thoughtfully tailored to the unique needs, addressing the priorities and leveraging regional knowledge through a well-balanced combination of inter-linked strategies.

: Approved
Recommendation: The ET recommends that UN Women prioritize continuity and adaptability in the GEF Project's subsequent phases, ensuring that technical assistance remains demand-driven, tailored, and inclusive. The ET recommends considering longer-term support that covers five to ten years.
Management Response: The evaluation recommendation is timely and relevant. As UN Women continues the GEF intervention under the Gender Responsive Governance (GRG) Programme, long-term support with emphasis on national ownership is planned and in line with this recommendation. Demand-driven and needs assessment-based objectives are of paramount importance for UN Women. The Office will continue to support the national commitments towards alignment with EU gender acquis, both at decision making and technical level.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy
Organizational Priorities: Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will provide technical and expert support towards strengthening the capacities of the public administration in line with national gender equality frameworks, EU norms and EU Gender Acquis, UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women will continue collaboration with the National Statistical System, to ensure gender data collection, use and dissemination is ameliorated to match EU standards, and tackle areas where gender data is missing UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women will support implementation of adopted or amended normative/legislative frameworks, policies/strategic documents that advance GEWE UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
Recommendation: The ET suggests that the GEF Project in North Macedonia emphasizes refining its operational framework to ensure coherence with both national objectives and international commitments while optimizing stakeholder engagement.
Management Response: Going into its second phase and positive donor response on continuance with funding until March 2027, UN Women under the GRG Programme will continue to strengthen existing partnerships, and also initiate and develop new ones. Coordination with the UN Country Team will continue to enhance.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM, Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Relevance
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue taking an active role in UNSDCF Outcome Groups to ensure effective coordination and information sharing between UN agencies thus ensuring synergy and joint efforts in supporting the government in gender equality commitments UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Ongoing
UN Women will expand partnerships and involve other development partners/international organizations in relevant research, analyses and knowledge products on GRG, GE and GEWE UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
Recommendation: The ET advises that the GEF Project in North Macedonia continues to embed gender norms comprehensively while refining strategies to address the emerging challenges of limited capacities and staff turnovers.
Management Response: Continuation of substantial coordination and communication with partners and beneficiaries on both high and technical level is crucial priority for UN Women to have clear guidance on the institutional needs that will lead to progress towards GE. Through GRG, trainings on gender mainstreaming within the work of the institutions will continue, while ensuring results are visible for the public to tackle traditional and conservative opinions on GE.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue strengthening coordination with technical level staff from the beneficiary institutions in order to preserve the institutional memory and maintain sustainable reforms in terms of GE. UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women will continue to foster frequent and structured dialogues with diverse stakeholders, thus helping in broadening the gender equality discourse and countering challenges UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women will continue to initiate extensive community outreach programs targeting societal norms and biases in order to change perceptions and countering the rise of anti-gender sentiments and EU scepticism. UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
Recommendation: The ET recommends that the GEF Project in North Macedonia persistently pursues its strategic resource allocation and management practices, ensuring its interventions align perfectly with national gender equality goals and human rights objectives.
Management Response: UN Women will continuously strive to find new ways to strengthen planning, coordination, enhancing transparency and responsiveness from all relevant stakeholders.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy, National ownership, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM, Organizational efficiency, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Gender equality, Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue to maintain the GRG Project's core strengths, explore ways to further enhance the coordination, planning, and stakeholder engagement processes, ensuring even more efficient outcomes UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women will continue to maintain the GRG Project's core strengths, explore ways to further enhance the coordination, planning, and stakeholder engagement processes, ensuring even more efficient outcomes UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
Recommendation: The ET recommends the GEF Project in North Macedonia to proactively address the challenges that can potentially disrupt the sustainability of its results, even as it leverages its successes to influence broader sectors.
Management Response: Following our established good practises, UN Women under GRG Programme will continue to systematically document successful project methodologies, facilitating their easy replication across diverse sectors. The support strengthening the capacities of the National Gender Machinery to ensure implementation of the gender perspective in the policymaking process.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue to focus on strengthening of National Gender Mechanisms and other pivotal entities, ensuring a robust foundation for gender-responsive policymaking in the long term UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated
Recommendation: The ET suggests that the GEF Project in North Macedonia amplifies its already significant efforts in reshaping the nation's gender equality landscape. This can be achieved by consolidating its strategic advances and addressing identified gaps.
Management Response: UN Women through the GRG Programme will continue to expand collaboration with regional and international organizations that focus on gender equality to leverage resources and share best practices. Continuation of the work with Sector Working Groups that cover various society areas and ensuring the gender perspective into their work will benefit to the country’s EU accession process.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women will continue to support and provide learning opportunities and exchange of best practices on gender mainstreaming within EU Acquis alignment process that will facilitate North Macedonia’s EU accession path. UN Women Noth Macedonia CO 2027/03 Initiated
UN Women through GRG will continue the collaboration with the Sector Working Groups and support in their gender mainstreaming. UN Women North Macedonia Country Office 2027/03 Initiated