THE USE OF THE SOCIAL PLAN AS A TOOL FOR THE IMPOVEMENT OF DECENTRALIZED SERVISES

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of the Social Plan as a strategic instrument for the development of decentralized social services and the improvement of the social protection system in the Republic of North Macedonia, with particular emphasis on the Municipality of Gazi Baba. The aim of the research is to examine the significance of decentralization in the field of social protection, identify the needs of vulnerable population groups, and determine the possibilities for developing local social services that respond to the actual needs of citizens.
The research was conducted through an analysis of the Social Plan of the Municipality of Gazi Baba, the legal and institutional framework of social protection, relevant scientific and professional literature, and the application of document analysis, descriptive analysis, comparative methods, and social mapping. Special attention was given to the process of identifying the needs of the population, the existing capacities of the local community, and the opportunities for developing new social services in accordance with the principles of social inclusion and equal access to services.
The research findings indicate that the process of decentralization enables more effective identification of local needs, better planning of social policies, and the development of services that are closer to service users. The analysis highlights the need for further strengthening of services for older persons, persons with disabilities, children at social risk, single parents, unemployed individuals, and other vulnerable population groups, as well as the importance of partnerships between local self-government, state institutions, and civil society organizations.
A comparison with European social protection models shows that the best results are achieved through a combined approach that integrates the public sector, the local community, and the non-governmental sector. Furthermore, the research confirms that successful planning and implementation of social services depend on the continuous monitoring of citizens’ needs, active community participation in decision-making processes, and the provision of adequate financial and human resources.
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the Social Plan represents an important mechanism for strategic planning and the sustainable development of local social services. Its successful implementation contributes to improving the quality of life, increasing social inclusion, and reducing social exclusion. The study recommends further strengthening the role of local self-government, developing new community-based services, ensuring sustainable financial resources, improving interinstitutional cooperation, and continuously monitoring the needs of the population in order to create a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable social protection system. The paper also indicates that decentralization, when supported by adequate planning and local commitment, constitutes a significant prerequisite for the development of a modern social protection system oriented toward citizens’ needs and the principles of social justice and solidarity.