In a broad effort to increase communication between Macedonia’s elected officials and citizens, NDI has worked to open nine constituency offices for legislators and to train new office assistants. In September 2007, 36 constituent office assistants went through a three-day training in Mavrovo to prepare for the opening of new offices.

Since 2004, NDI has worked with Roma to help them build the skills necessary to successfully contest elections and wage effective advocacy campaigns. Yet Romani elected officials often face the challenge that typical good governance practices such as constituent outreach are insufficient in the face of the protracted problems prevalent in their communities such as high unemployment and economic underdevelopment.