Summary of organization’s strategic orientation:
The European Policy Institute (EPI), founded in 2011, is a research-driven organization committed to shaping European policies through high-quality analysis and advocacy. Its strategic orientation is centered on fostering informed debate and policy solutions, engaging decision-makers, civil society, and the broader public in North Macedonia and the region.
EPI operates across three core programs:
- EU Accession: Monitoring and Advocacy – analyzing and influencing the EU integration process;
- Democracy and Rule of Law – promoting legal and institutional reforms;
- Monitoring EU Funds – ensuring transparency and accountability in EU financial assistance.
Through over 60 projects, EPI has played a key role in legal and governance reforms, spearheading initiatives like the Blueprint Group for Judiciary Reform and Network 23, and producing influential reports, including the shadow report on Chapter 23 (judiciary, anti-corruption, and fundamental rights). Recognized by the European Commission for best practices, EPI provides critical assessments of the EU’s annual country reports and strengthens civil society’s role in policymaking.
Summary of the project:
The project “Judicial Action for the Protection of Human Rights” aims to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in North Macedonia through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. It focuses on raising awareness, building judicial capacity, and increasing visibility of the UPR mechanism among judges, public prosecutors and key stakeholders. By engaging judicial institutions, civil society, and the media, the project seeks to strengthen the judiciary’s and public prosecution’s role in effectively implementing UPR recommendations, particularly in areas like gender-based violence and access to justice.
Project goal(s):
General Goal (Impact):
Promotion and protection of human rights through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
Specific Objectives (Outcomes):
- Introducing judges and public prosecutors to the UPR process and identifying their capacity-building needs.
- Enhancing judges and public prosecutors’ capacities regarding the UPR process and its significance.
- Strengthening the visibility of the UPR process.
Who will benefit from the project? (Based on target groups and expected results)
Ministry of Justice, Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, Judicial Council, Council of Public Prosecutors, Association of Judges, Association of Public Prosecutors, Council for Judicial Sector Reforms, Council for Monitoring the Implementation of the Judicial Development Sector Strategy, thematic networks of civil society organizations, media/journalists.
Main activities (up to 15 bullet points)
- A brief document providing a detailed explanation of the UN UPR process in clear and accessible language for judges, public prosecutors and the wider public;
- Promotional event;
- Preparation and delivery of two training sessions for 40 judges and public prosecutors to gain an in-depth understanding of the UPR process;
- Two podcasts, two blogs, and two infographics on the topic;
- Briefing with journalists.
Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors_Building judicial capacities for the protection of human rights (Available in Alb)
The judiciary in focus of the UPP_From recommendations to implementation (Available in MK)
The judiciary in focus of the UPP_From recommendations to implementation (Available in Alb)
Final_Corruption and human rights (Available in MK)