“Promoting Gender Equality mechanisms at local level in Bulgaria and Macedonia” and a follow-up project “Promoting Non- Discrimination and Equal Opportunities Mechanisms at local level in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Vojvodina” (2006-2008)

10 December 2008

The first project on this issue was implemented in Mcedonia and Bulgaria together with a research on the opportunities for such mechanisms. In 2003-2004 the activities were focused on the mechanisms for equal opportunities of women and men. In the next most recent project these mechanisms are still actual, together with the opportunities for antidiscrimination structures at local level in Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia and also other grounds of discrimination are included (these grounds are: gender, race and ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation – as included in the 2007 - European year of Equal Opportunities for all). Local structures of this kind still do not exist in Bulgaria. As outcome of the project (providing financial support for mechanisms establishment only from the Western Balkan countries) the BGRF partners from Macedonia and Serbia created information centers for citizens’ rights, as well as offices and departments on equal opportunities. Participants from Macedonian and Serbian municipalities underlined the great importance of Project activities at local level. The Project supported the implementation of new antidiscrimination legislation and legislation on equal opportunity in Macedonia. As a matter of fact municipalities involved in the project are among the first in the country starting the establishment of commissions on equal opportunity at local level, as it is required by the Law.