POLICY ANALYSIS

CRPM works on “determining which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals” in each of the following policy areas: Macedonian politics; sustainable development; migration; good governance; human development; European integration and international relations. We provide analysis and descriptions to explain current policies and their development; but also provide analysis of policy’s future perspective-i.e., formulating new policies or measures (instruments).

 

TRAININGS

CRPM provides trainings in policy analysis and policy making, strategic planning, evaluation and monitoring, budgeting and public finance management, fundraising for EU funds, good governance, introduction of gender sensitive approach in decision making, regulatory impact assessment (RIA), EU integration, lobbying, legal recourse, public participation, and place branding. Evaluations CRPM works on evaluations of completed projects of various clients, prepares evaluations and advice on how to improve workings of different organizations and companies, expert evaluations of democratic processes in Macedonia, and assessment.

RESEARCH

CRPM team engages in finding answers to various problems, issues by employing various research methodologies- qualitative research through interviews of stakeholders, observation, and focus groups; quantitative research through surveys, costing, household and time use surveys, site visits, cost-benefit and SWOT analysis. 

    

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

CRPM Executive Education program is tailor made for Directors and Managers from private companies, public enterprises, public services, non-for-profit organizations and interest groups. The main approach to learning within the CRPM Executive Education Program is the case study method pioneered at Harvard, where cases are based on a real-life situation that stimulates participants to think through problem-solving methods and possible solutions to actual situations in their company, enterprise, service, NGO or interest group. In addition to in-class activities, our programs offer participants the chance to reflect on their own personal and professional experiences by breaking into smaller work and discussion groups where each participant has the opportunity to present his or her own case study to peers. These settings offer participants the chance to collaborate on a deeper level of problem analysis, sharing their own experiences in an effort to understand how to improve individual performance, choice and outcomes.

EVALUATIONS

CRPM works on evaluations of completed projects of various clients, prepares evaluations and advice on how to improve workings of different organizations and companies, expert evaluations of democratic processes in Macedonia, and assessment.

          

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY “MOTHER TERESA”

Since 2010 CRPM in partnership with the Council of Europe, is organizer of the School for Public Policy Mother Teresa. The school is designed for Macedonia’s future leaders who accept Council of Europe’ s principles and are committed to work to create multicultural and liberal Macedonia. The participants are members of political parties, civil organizations, journalists, businessmen, and academics. The school Mother Teresa is part from the network of schools which are organized in sixteen countries. Every generation of participants attend practical lectures of at least three three-day seminars. The school also organizes other activities such as workshops, discussions and lectures given by prominent officials. 

EXPERIENCE OF CRPM INTERNS

Name: Džani Hadžić

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Interning period: June – August 2013  

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

I first remember the staff and the working atmosphere. I experienced a professional working environment. Despite learning and interning, I really felt good and pleasant at CRPM’s premises.  

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

This is a very easy question to be answered. It helped me a lot. I was acquainted with relevant data conducted by CRPM. Additionally, during the mentorship provided by the executive staff of the organization, I was taught with new political theories, especially in terms of minority rights. I also improved my research and methodology skill which is also a benefit from the internship at CRPM.  

 

Where did you apply the obtained knowledge?

Primarily, it was applied in my MA thesis, but the methodology and research skills are something which will remain forever. It is worthy to mention that for the first time I experienced with a professional and working habits and tasks which is also important for beginner and young researcher.

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

I only have positive comments on this question. I never faced with “no” or “sorry, I cannot now”. All of the employees were willing to help me and always provided me with hints and tips on methodology, data and relevant sources. The professionalism and competence is visible in every aspect, especially in the policy papers produced by CRPM. What was really surprising for me was the availability of the CRPM’s executives who were always providing me feedback and comments on my work and ideas.

 

What would you recommend to those who are interested to intern at CRPM?

Grab the chance, it will worth it.

   

   

Name: Jelena Petrovic

Country: Serbia

Interning period: June – July 2014  

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

I witnessed very intensive and working environment. The staff is highly friendly and helpful. I also remember that all of the researches at that time were conducted in a highly professional manner with relevant methodology. It is a matter of a real and professional think tank organization which is not the case here in Serbia. I also liked the concept of the School for Public Policy “Mother Theresa” which I see as a god platform for equipping future policy makers with new knowledge.   

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

Yes. The contacts which I developed during my internship at CRPM are of huge importance for me and I maintain them even nowadays. All these people are relevant sources for my work even now. I spent most of the time productively and involved in daily activities, which is very important for each intern. My MA thesis was published among other 5 best thesis, and the experience at the CRPM was crucial for this.

 

What did you learn from CRPM?

I learned about the concept of good governance. I was acquainted with relevant knowledge in terms of methodology and research tools in investing good governance at local level which is very important for overall prosperity of the citizens not just in Macedonia, but also in the whole region. Previously, I was involved in other research activities, but the experienced in CRPM polished my skills and competences in this field. I also learned about the approaching techniques for potential interviewees. 

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

I give my highest grades about the professionalism and the readiness of the staff to transfer their knowledge to the interns. It was once in a life time experience. 

 

What would you recommend to those who are interested to intern at CRPM?

Be ready to expand your knowledge and your contact list. It is a NGO which provides great opportunities.

   

     

Name: Klára Votavová

Country: Czech Republic  

Interning period: March – April 2015  

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

It was during a period when I was writing my thesis and the internship at CRPM caused to develop a relevant and good thesis thanks to the data which CRPM provide me with. I remember a very positive and friendly atmosphere in the office which is a base for productive work.

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

It was an asset and good experience for sure. The CRPM experience is of vital importance even now while I am doing my Master studies at the University of Maastricht. I was involved in some research activities which helped me to upgrade my capabilities to research. I also got in depth knowledge about the political situation in Macedonia as well as the political developments in the Balkans which is my personal research interest. It also helped me to develop a column in one local czech news portal about the political situation in the Balkans. Overall, it was very beneficial.  

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

I was pleasantly surprised because I had not experience in a Balkan NGO. The staff is highly educated with international degrees and professional in each sense. All of the employees are scholars per se and very helpful persons of whom each intern can learn a lot. It is also noteworthy that I still maintain contacts with some of the employees and I call them to brief me about some new developments in Macedonia and the Balkans.

 

What would you recommend to those who are interested to intern at CRPM?

I don’t have experience with other organizations, so I am not able to compare. However, I will highly recommend CRPM as a place where interns can absorb new knowledge. They can count on friendly staff who can give them advice and comments any time.

  

  

Name: Danil Zelenkov

Country: Macedonia

Interning period: June – August 2013  

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

The first things I remember were the activities in which I was involved. It was a research which aimed to investigate the educational choices among the youth. We were investigating opportunities that can be shape in Macedonian circumstances. It was a really good project. I also participated in a project related to municipal transparency.

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

It helped me quite much. Every experience in NGO is beneficial, but this was helped me a lot. The CRPM reference in my CV helped me to acquaint with research skills and gain new knowledge in policy making procedures. After the internship, I was well prepared for the rest of my BA studies at George Washington University, especially for the course which were related to public policy. This experience also provided me with knowledge about the differences and the methods for policy research, something which cannot be learned at the faculties.

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

They have strong willingness to guide the interns during the internship duration. The staff is well educated and prepared.

 

Where did you apply the obtained knowledge?

I applied and I am still applying in my ongoing BA studies in economy. The new writing skills helped me to upgrade my essay writing style, something which is highly appreciated at the American universities.  

 

What is your advice to those who are interested in interning in CRPM?

For sure I will recommend CRPM as a place where my fellows and young researchers can gain firsthand experience in terms of research and policy making. It is also a place where you can receive feedback for your own ideas – something which is hard to find at other organizations. 

  

 

Name: Xavier Carrera

Country: Mexico   

Interning period: August- October 2015  

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

First and foremost, I will remember the very friendly and constructive atmosphere at the workplace. The CRPM staff made a great effort to include me as much as possible into their activities (including, but not limited, to the Mother Theresa School of Public Policy) and they really tried to make me feel included.

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

Among many things, I acquired a very complete and deep understanding of the political situation in Macedonia. I got a better comprehension of the institutional transformation of the country in its most recent history. Last but not least, CRPM aid me to develop and improve my research skills.

 

Where did you apply the obtained knowledge?

Nowadays, I use the knowledge I acquired in CRPM in my new workplace in BiH and also in my studies at the ERMA in Democracy and Human Rights in SEE. The level of knowledge that I got on Macedonian politics made of me (citing some of my colleagues) a good person to talk with when making case studies or comparative analyses. This has become especially importance since it allowed me to better understand trends in the whole SEE region.

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

CRPM staff was quite open and willing to assist me in the process of conducting my research. They never hesitated to provide me with reliable information that greatly enriched my work when needed. In general terms, the staff is highly skilled, acknowledged and friendly.

 

What is your advice to those who are interested in interning in CRPM?

I can definitely recommend CRPM to anybody who is willing to conduct research on Macedonian politics. Mainly, because is a leading research institution in the SEE region which is closely collaborating with other important think thanks and intergovernmental institutions.

 

Name: Haris Kamberovic

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Interning period: June – August 2016 

 

What is the first thing on your mind when you recall on your internship at CRPM?

Good working atmosphere, team work and professionalism are the first things on my mind.

 

Has the CRPM’s internship helped you in your professional or academic development?

The work within CRPM organization provided me with opportunity for developing my professional skills (composing of field research, filling up questioners, assessing research materials and evaluation). Additional skill that I developed during my internship is certainly proficiency in SPSS. It will be of great value for my further professional career.

 

Where did you apply the obtained knowledge?

As I already mentioned, CRPM provided me a chance to develop and improve my research skills. Working on UN Women project was great responsibility and great research experience at the same time. Initially, I applied this knowledge while I was writing my MA thesis, especially in terms of the methodology development and the data analysis. I am more than convinced that I will use this experience and knowledge in my future carrier as researcher and project coordinator.  

 

What is your opinion on CRPM in terms of professional capacities and willingness for mentoring? 

I would describe CRPM as a great team of professionals, who are ready to share their experience and knowledge. I was involved completely in daily work of CRPM organization, feeling like a part of team. I was given space and necessary tools to show my full potential and to further develop them.

 

What would you recommend to those who are interested to intern at CRPM?

I highly recommend this organization for hosting next interns, mainly because of their help not just in line of work, but also in regards to the help with finding housing, tour through city. Colleagues in organization were friendly and very kind.