CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Summary/Abstract: The process of creating public policies in the social protection inevitably changes the quality of life of citizens and society. The effectiveness of public policy is reflected in reliance on policy makers on the three most important resources: the legislative framework, human capacities and financial resources. In the past twenty years, the Republic of Macedonia has been continuously implementing reforms in the social protection system. The changes have been caused by the needs for responding to the social challenges that society is facing as result of transitional processes, guided by the experience and practice of the developed European social states. Strategic documents set out the development of social protection system with the specific aim of improved delivery of social services. Providing quality services, inter alia, involves the provision of efficient system of expert support, supervision and inspection, a change in the organization of the work of Centers for social work and the introduction of new methods of work. The change of the social protection actors is one of the most discussed topics in professional debates for development of the institutional framework of the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia. Decentralization and pluralization of social protection is necessary to ensure the availability of social services in an efficient, economical and rational manner to all persons with social-protection needs. The positive effects of decentralization and pluralization in the social protection system will be evident primarily in promoting delivery of social services, by involving various stakeholders and citizen participation in the creation of local programs, to make the services available to most of the population, to be closer to the beneficiaries and tailored to their needs. This paper gives an overview on the development of the social protection system in the Republic of Macedonia, legal regulations and implementation weaknesses, as well as the current challenges and directions for promotion of the social protection function of the state.

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