Support for culture at the local level in North Macedonia is regulated by a legal framework that defines the role and competencies of municipalities in this area. According to the Law on Local Self-Government, municipalities are obliged to organize cultural events, support and encourage various forms of cultural creativity, and nurture local traditions such as folklore, customs, and old crafts. Additionally, municipalities are responsible for managing and maintaining cultural institutions, such as cultural centers and museums, which form a fundamental part of their competencies.
The central government, through the Ministry of Culture and within the framework of the Law on Culture, provides financial support for local cultural projects through capital grants. The Law on Culture also regulates the methods of institutional and financial support for cultural institutions and projects, including provisions for municipalities to receive state budget funds for cultural initiatives.
To gain a more detailed understanding of how municipalities fulfil their obligations in the field of culture under the Law on Local Self-Government, the NGO Info-center, in cooperation with partner organizations—Spektar from Kriva Palanka, the Women’s Organization from Strumica, the Civic Initiative of Women from Sveti Nikole, and Aktivo from Veles—conducted monitoring of six municipalities: Kumanovo, Veles, Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Lozovo, and Bosilovo. This monitoring took place between September and November 2024.
The purpose of the monitoring was to obtain a clearer picture of how municipalities plan, organize, and finance cultural development at the local level. By utilizing access to public information, the municipalities provided data and insights on whether they have strategic documents, how they prepare annual programs, and the organizational structure of the municipal units responsible for culture, including the number and distribution of employees in these sectors or departments.
The monitoring also examined financial aspects, including the municipalities’ budgets for cultural programs, the percentage share of cultural activities in the total municipal budget, and the support provided to cultural institutions and projects. Furthermore, the research explored financial assistance for independent artists, cultural workers, and civic associations engaged in the field of culture, as well as the methods municipalities use to gather feedback from citizens and other stakeholders when preparing cultural programs.
Key Findings
None of the monitored municipalities has a strategic document for the development and promotion of culture and art at the local level. All municipalities prepare annual cultural programs, allocating between 0.65% and a maximum of 3% of their municipal budgets to implement these programs each year.
Municipalities do not secure additional funds for the development of culture and art from international donors or foreign cultural programs, relying exclusively on their municipal budgets.
Some municipalities consult citizens and stakeholders during the preparation of annual cultural programs. Additionally, certain municipalities issue public calls for project proposals in the field of culture. Associations, foundations, public institutions, and other legal entities with cultural or socio-humanitarian objectives or registered activities can apply as applicants for these funds.
In most municipalities, there is no separate sector dedicated to culture. In some cases, there is not even a standalone department for culture. Instead, cultural activities fall under the jurisdiction of other sectors or departments, such as those responsible for education, social activities, and/or sports.
A significant portion of municipal funds allocated to culture is spent on music and variety events. For example, in the Municipality of Veles, almost half of the cultural budget for three consecutive years has been allocated to the Pie and Wine Festival, with the funding increasing annually. Similarly, the Ovchepolski Grozdober festival in Lozovo consistently receives the largest portion of the municipality’s cultural budget.
Many of the cultural projects supported and implemented by the municipalities are repetitive/traditional. For instance:
- The Municipality of Lozovo primarily funds the Ovchepolski Grozdober.
- Sveti Nikole regularly supports events such as the “Motorijada,” the “Todorica” festival, and the “Day of Joke.”
- Veles funds the Pie and Wine Festival, Racin’s Meetings, and the Festival of Ancient Drama.
- Kumanovo supports the “Moto Fest Kumanovo,” a mega concert for Liberation Day, an international tambourine festival, and Comedy Days.
- Strumica provides consistent financial support to the “Asterfest” festival of aphorisms and caricatures, as well as the “Under the Towers of Strumica” and “Strumica Open” festivals.
In some municipalities, such as Kumanovo, cultural events and festivals are organized through a foundation established by the local government. The Kumanovo Culture and Sports Foundation manages one-third of the cultural program’s events. The foundation has four employees, and its programs and work reports are reviewed and approved by the municipal council. It also participates in public calls for cultural project support.
Municipalities such as Veles, Kumanovo, and Lozovo do not allocate funds to support independent artists. However, the Municipality of Strumica has been allocating funds for independent creative projects over the past three years, while Sveti Nikole did so in 2023.
Read the full text of the monitoring Municipalities and Support for Culture.
This monitoring was carried out within the framework of the project Active Citizens and Participatory Democracy at the Local Level, supported by the Olof Palme International Center from Sweden.
