4. Government Transparency in Macedonia: Tracking Public Spending and Contracts

A Note to Our Readers

The Macedonian Citizens Alliance is an independent, non-partisan platform committed to giving citizens a real voice in ending corruption and shaping a just, transparent, and prosperous future for Macedonia. We are not in favour or against any political party. We will support any government or opposition initiative that challenges corruption and promotes integrity and progress, but we will also hold all parties, leaders, and institutions accountable - regardless of affiliation. Macedonia has had enough of division. If you believe that political leaders and public officials should serve the people with honesty and with citizens’ interests as a priority, then support us. Our role is to keep every party, every official, and every institution honest - so that together, we can rebuild trust and create a better country for all.

If you want to find corruption, follow the money. In Macedonia, public funds move in the shadows—channeled through vague budgets, hidden contracts, and backroom deals. While citizens struggle to make ends meet, millions disappear into the hands of a well-connected few. This is not just bad governance. It’s theft. And it’s happening in plain sight.

The Problem: Darkness in the System

Government spending is meant to serve the people—build hospitals, schools, roads, and infrastructure. But when procurement processes are closed, budgets are unreadable, and contracts are kept secret, abuse becomes inevitable. Corrupt officials exploit the lack of transparency to award inflated contracts to friends, create fake tenders, and divert funds through shell companies.

The result? Crumbling infrastructure, underfunded schools, and failing healthcare—while corrupt insiders drive luxury cars and send their children abroad.

Radical Transparency as a Solution

We must flip the system upside down. Every government budget, every public contract, every payment made with taxpayers' money must be made visible—automatically and in real-time. This isn’t a fantasy. It’s already being done in countries that are serious about fighting corruption.

A national online transparency portal should publish:

• All government expenditures

• All tenders and awarded contracts

• Names of companies and individuals receiving public funds

• Project timelines, budgets, and completion status

This portal should be searchable, downloadable, and understandable—not a technical maze designed to confuse the public.

Open Budgets, Honest Priorities

Transparency starts with the budget. Citizens must be able to see how public money is allocated—and how those allocations change over time. Are education and healthcare being prioritized? Are local governments receiving fair funding? Are sudden increases in spending matched with real projects?

An open budget process gives the public power to question decisions before the money is spent—not just after it's stolen.

Community Monitoring of Projects

Real-time tracking must go beyond the national level. Every municipality should publish project updates—how much was spent, what was achieved, and who was paid. Local citizens should be empowered to monitor progress, flag irregularities, and report misuse. This turns every citizen into a watchdog and every project into a test of integrity.

The Role of Civil Society and Media

When journalists and NGOs have access to this information, they can investigate and expose fraud more easily. And when they are protected—not attacked—for doing so, corruption begins to lose its cover.

Public procurement accounts for up to 20% of GDP in many countries. That’s a massive opportunity for either progress or plunder. Which path we choose depends entirely on how much we’re willing to reveal.

Time to Break the Silence

The days of secret contracts and hidden deals must end. In a democratic society, the people pay the bills—and they have every right to see the receipts.

Follow the money. Expose the rot. Build a future where every denar is accounted for, and every project reflects the people’s priorities—not the profits of the powerful.

Dr. Elena Spasovska

Co-Founder & President, Macedonian Citizens Alliance

Dr. Elena Spasovska is expert in peacebuilding, equality, and democratic governance. Macedonian-born and raised, she holds a Bachelor's degree from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, a Master’s degree from the University of Barcelona, and a PhD in International Relations from the University of South Australia. Elena has lectured and contributed to research initiatives at leading Australian universities. Her academic portfolio spans global politics, development, international security, social justice, human trafficking, and post-conflict governance. She brings a rare combination of academic depth and public advocacy, with a clear mission: to confront corruption and restore hope, dignity, and opportunity for all Macedonians.

Macedonian Citizens Alliance

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