On 8 May 2026, in Skopje, the National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence promoted the Analysis of the Costs of Specialized Services for Victims of Gender-Based and Domestic Violence in North Macedonia.
The event was organized in two parts, with the aim of presenting the key findings and recommendations of the analysis to the media, institutions, international organizations and civil society.
Breakfast with Journalists and Media Briefing
In the morning, a breakfast with journalists, i.e. a media briefing, was held, attended by representatives of 13 media outlets, including national television stations and online portals.
At the briefing, experts Neda Chaloska Dimovska and Katerina Shapkova Kocevska presented the main findings of the analysis, focusing on the real costs of establishing, operating and maintaining specialized services for women and children victims of gender-based and domestic violence.
Following the presentation, statements were given to the media by both experts, as well as by Elena Dimushevska, Executive Director of the National Network.
Promotion of the Analysis and Panel Discussion
In the second part of the event, intended for representatives of institutions, international organizations and civil society organizations, the key findings and recommendations of the analysis were presented once again.
The main finding of the analysis shows that the state should allocate over EUR 6,500,000 annually in order to ensure an effective system for the protection, prevention and reintegration of women victims of violence at the national level. This amount represents approximately 0.1% of the annual national budget.
As part of the panel discussion, Prof. Dragan Tevdovski, PhD, full professor at the Faculty of Economics and economic expert, spoke about the importance of full and predictable financing of specialized services as a prerequisite for effectively addressing violence against women. He also discussed possible ways to secure such financing through advocacy and budget planning with the relevant ministries.
The Executive Director of the National Network, Elena Dimushevska, addressed the process of licensing services for gender-based and domestic violence, as well as the standards that service providers are required to meet. She emphasized that the existing standards are high and require significant human, spatial, technical and financial resources, while the funds received after obtaining a licence are insufficient and do not cover even the salary of one employee.
A New Methodology for Calculating the Cost of Services Is Needed
The discussion highlighted the need to change the methodology used to calculate the cost of social services. Participants agreed that the methodology used in the presented analysis is appropriate and could serve as a useful basis for the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth in revising the existing model of financing and licensing.
The aim is for the licensing process not to remain merely a formal procedure, but to ensure the real sustainability of the services that the state recognizes and licenses. Only through adequate state financing can a functional system be built for the protection, recovery and reintegration of women and children victims of gender-based and domestic violence.
Part of a Regional Process
The analysis for North Macedonia is part of a regional process in which six Western Balkan countries prepared similar analyses of the costs of specialized services. The national findings will be summarized in a regional report, which will provide a broader overview of the situation, needs and possible models for sustainable financing of services for victims of violence in the region.
The event conveyed the key message that financing specialized services for victims is not a cost, but an obligation of the state and a necessary investment in protection, safety, recovery and equality.
This activity is part of the project “Institutionalizing Quality Rehabilitation and Integration Services for Violence Survivors II”, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds from the Austrian Development Cooperation, and implemented by the National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
