The Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development signed the Loan Agreement in the amount of EUR 13.8 million on February 6, 2020 for the implementation of the Social Insurance Administration Project – SIAP.

The Ministry of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth (MSPYD) is responsible for the implementation of the Project, which became effective on the 2nd of March 2020. In May 2024, the Bank approved an extension of the implementation period of the SIAP project until June 30, 2026.

The Project Development Objective is to improve the quality of services in administering social insurance and strengthen the regulatory framework for people with disabilities and hazardous occupations. The project focuses on three interlinked areas of reform:

Single Unified Registry System (SURS): creation of a consolidated registry that integrates all social insurance records. This system reduces duplication, improves accuracy, and allows citizens to access entitlements in a transparent and efficient way.

Central Disability Certification and Coordination Unit (CDCCU): establishment of a unified disability assessment system that applies consistent, transparent, and rights-based criteria, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CDCCU need to eliminate parallel procedures, reduce discrimination, and ensure faster recognition of rights.

Employment and Professional Rehabilitation and Hazardous Occupations Retirement Reform (ESP): development of a modern rehabilitation and employment support network for persons with disabilities, alongside a revised and fairer framework for hazardous occupations retirement that balances workers’ health protection with the sustainability of the pension system.

These reforms affect sensitive issues such as rights recognition, retirement eligibility, and access to employment. Success therefore depends not only on technical implementation but also on public trust, transparency, and participation.