From Assistance to Action?

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) has been instrumental in strengthening the rule of law in North Macedonia as it progresses on its path to EU accession. Recent developments highlight both progress and ongoing challenges: political polarization has slowed democratic reforms, affecting judicial independence, anti-corruption initiatives, and public administration reforms. Despite efforts to streamline public administration and enhance merit-based governance, key legislative reforms are still needed to address transparency and reduce political influence within the judiciary. Civil society organizations operate in a supportive environment but require stronger frameworks for funding and involvement in decision-making processes. Human rights protections face notable gaps, with concerns around detainee treatment, minority rights, and the prevention of gender-based violence. Although progress has been made in combating organized crime and promoting anti-corruption measures, these areas require additional resources and strengthened enforcement mechanisms. This chapter explores the evolving role of IPA in addressing the challenges. It critically examines the design and delivery of EU assistance under IPA II and IPA III, the political and institutional obstacles to reform, and the degree to which external support has translated into measurable progress. Based on national reform agendas, official EU documents, and perspectives from international observers and civil society, the chapter evaluates whether IPA is successfully promoting long-term rule of law reform in North Macedonia.