Intelligence & Security Sector Reform in North Macedonia 2021-2026 (DCAF) - MK Intelligence Sector Reform in North Macedonia Phase II (DCAF) Reform av underrättelse- och säkerhetssektorn i Nordmakedonien (DCAF) 2021-2026 DCAF has applied to Sida for funding of 9 million SEK to carry out the "Intelligence & Security Sector Reform Programme" in North Macedonia during the period 2021-2023. 

Building on achievements and lessons learned in the Inception phase, the intervention aims at continuing a process of democratic reforms within the security and intelligence sector in North Macedonia. By working closely with national partners to operationalize and make sustainable initial results made, the project intent is to continue supporting local institutions in  creating a more accountable and effective security and intelligence sector. Institutionalizing achievements requires longer-term commitment for procedures to be developed and capacity to be established for effective implementation. Hence, DCAF proposes an extended implementation timeframe that includes two additional phases of intervention: 2021-2023 (Main Phase) and 2024-2026 (Exit Phase). The first phase will be comprehensive and multi-institutional, while the latter will in particular focus on building institutional capacity in the Parliament. After a dialogue between Sida and DCAF, the decision was taken to appraise a three-year support to cover for the main phase, with the potential of a future application for an extension to cover the full five-year period. The decision for a possible continued support shall be based on the findings by the planned mid-term review (referred to in the Agreement with Sida as an end term evaluation), and on the achieved project results during the implementing period.

The proposed contribution has an overall programme goal which states: "The intelligence and law enforcement agencies in North Macedonia operate under effective democratic control and oversight and fight serious and organized crime and curb corruption in line with good practice of accountability and respect for human rights." Moreover, the intervention is structured around three outcomes: 

Outcome 1: Legal and institutional framework. Legal and institutional framework of the intelligence and law enforcement sector in North Macedonia amended in line with relevant Euro-Atlantic principles and good practice of accountability and respect for human rights.

Outcome 2: Capacity building. External oversight bodies conduct effective and transparent oversight and control over intelligence and law enforcement sector activities.

Outcome 3: Public trust. The public is informed on the functioning and results of the intelligence and security accountability system. 

To each outcome above, there is a number of corresponding outputs, indicators, baselines and targets. 

As regards the policy markers, democracy and human rights is the principal objective, whereas conflict prevention, peace and security is a significant objective. Also, the project is aligned to the 2030 Agenda and the Global goals. In particular, the project links to SDG 16 on Peace, justice and strong institutions and its target 16.6 and 16.10. 

The intervention’s total budget for the Main Phase (2021-2023) is approximately 35 million SEK (3 776 560 CHF), out of which the organisation’s own funding is approximately 1,9 million SEK (206 250 CHF). Being a pooled funded programme, other donors have been invited to and have committed to contribute towards the budget. As of today, all of the invited donors have concluded financing Agreements with DCAF (the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the EU delegation). No forwarding of funds is foreseen. DCAF har ansökt till Sida om finansiering på 9 miljoner SEK för att genomföra "Intelligence & Security Sector Reform Program" i Nordmakedonien under perioden 2021-2023.

Baserat på de framsteg som gjorts under inceptionsfasen, syftar insatsen till att fortsätta en process med demokratiska reformer inom säkerhets- och underrättelsessektorn i Nordmakedonien. Genom bl.a. ett nära samarbete med nationella partner för att operationalisera och göra resultat hållbara har projektet för avsikt att skapa en mer ansvarsfull och effektiv säkerhets- och underrättelsesektor. Att institutionalisera resultat kräver att processer utvecklas och att kapacitet byggs för ett effektivt genomförande. Därför ansökte DCAF om en fortsättning av inceptionsfasen, vilket inkluderar ytterligare två faser: 2021-2023 (huvudfas) och 2024-2026 (avslutningsfas). Den första fasen kommer att vara mer omfattande och multi-institutionell, medan den senare särskilt kommer att fokusera på att bygga upp institutionell kapacitet i parlamentet. Efter en dialog mellan Sida och DCAF togs beslutet att endast fatta beslut kring ett treårigt stöd för huvudfasen, med möjlighet för en framtida ansökan om förlängning för att täcka hela femårsperioden. Ett beslut om en eventuell förlängning av projektstöd ska baseras på den planerade utvärderingen (se avtal) och genomförda resultat och erfarenheter från denna projektfas.

Den föreslagna insatsen har ett övergripande programmål: "Underrättelse- och brottsbekämpande organ i Nordmakedonien verkar under effektiv demokratisk kontroll och tillsyn och bekämpar allvarlig och organiserad brottslighet samt begränsar korruption i linje med god praxis för ansvarsskyldighet och respekt för mänskliga rättigheter." Dessutom är projektet fokuserat kring tre långsiktiga resultat (outcome):

Resultat 1: Juridiskt och institutionellt ramverk. Det rättsliga och institutionella ramverket för underrättelse- och brottsbekämpningssektorn i Nordmakedonien ändras i enlighet med relevanta euro-atlantiska principer och god praxis för ansvarsskyldighet och respekt för mänskliga rättigheter.

Resultat 2: Kapacitetsuppbyggnad. Externa tillsynsorgan bedriver effektiv och transparent tillsyn och kontroll över verksamhet inom underrättelsetjänster och brottsbekämpning.

Resultat 3: Allmänhetens förtroende. Allmänheten informeras om systemet för och resultaten av underrättelse- och säkerhetssektorn.

Till varje långsiktigt resultat ovan finns ett antal kortsiktiga resultat (outputs), indikatorer, baslinjer och mål.

Projektet bidrar främst till policymarkören med fokus på demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter, men i viss utsträckning även till konfliktförebyggande, fred och säkerhet. Projektet är också i linje med Agenda 2030 och de globala målen. I synnerhet bidrar projektet till uppfyllandet av SDG 16 om fred, rättvisa och starka institutioner och dess undermål 16.6 och 16.10. 

Insatsens totala budget för huvudfasen (2021-2023) är cirka 35 miljoner SEK (3 776 560 CHF), varav organisationens egna medel uppgår till cirka 1,9 miljoner SEK (206 250 CHF). Då det är en sam-finansierad insats har andra givare bjudits in och åtagit sig att bidra till budgeten. I dagsläget har programmet erhållit finansiering från Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Nederländernas utrikesdepartement är i slutfasen för att fatta beslut om finansiering till programmet och EU-delegationen utvärderar för närvarande en treårig ansökan med fokus på delar av programmet. Ingen vidarebefordran av medel planeras. Current efforts to reform the intelligence and security services and to strengthen security and intelligence accountability in North Macedonia, commenced after the so-called wire-tapping scandal in 2015 and subsequent recommendations put forward by the European Commission through a mandated group of independent and senior experts on Rule of Law. While there has been some positive development since 2015, not least thanks to the Sida supported ongoing pooled-funded contribution on intelligence sector reform implemented by DCAF (referred to as the Inception Phase), further reforms are still needed.
Building on recent achievements made in the Inception Phase, the objective of the proposed project is to continue a process of democratic reforms in North Macedonia. This will be done by working closely with national partners to operationalize and make sustainable initial results made, aimed at creating a more accountable and effective security and intelligence sector. 
The proposed contribution has one overall programme goal which states: "The intelligence and law enforcement agencies in North Macedonia operate under effective democratic control and oversight and fight serious and organised crime and curb corruption in line with good practice of accountability and respect for human rights." In addition, the intervention is structured around three outcomes with corresponding outputs. The outcomes are focusing on changes/reforms within the security and intelligence sector as a whole, which is in contrast to the Inception Phase, where the program was structured along three clusters, each focusing on a separate institution.
Outcome 1: Legal and institutional framework. Legal and institutional framework of the intelligence and law enforcement sector in North Macedonia amended in line with relevant Euro-Atlantic principles and good practice of accountability and respect for human rights.
Outcome 2: Capacity building. External oversight bodies conduct effective and transparent oversight and control over intelligence and law enforcement sector activities.

Outcome 3: Public trust. The public is informed on the functioning and results of the intelligence and security accountability system.
The main form of support delivered through the programme includes technical assistance, trainings/workshops and expert advice.
The programme is set-up as a pooled funded program. The EU delegation,  Netherlands and Switzerland/SDC are providing financial support to the program together with Sweden.
While the proposal submitted to Sida covered the period 2021-2026, after a dialogue between Sida and DCAF, the decision was taken to appraise a three-year support with the potential of a future application for a two-year extension to cover the full five-year period. 
Finally, the total project budget is 4 739 219 CHF (43 791 474 SEK*) for the period 2021-2026. For the Main Phase covering the years 2021-2023, the total budget is 3 776 560 CHF (34 896 283 SEK*). For the same period (2021-2023), Sweden has been requested to contribute with 320 000 CHF (2 956 873 SEK*) per year. Hence, a total of 960 000 CHF (8 870 620 SEK*) for the entire period. 
A mid-term evaluation of the program is due on 30th April, 2023. The Evaluation conclusions and recommendations shall be the base for decision on the possible extended support to the project for the period 2024-2026.
*Exchage rate 28.05.2021: 1 CHF = 9.24023 SEK