INTRODUCTION UNDP SUPPORT TO ACTIVE LABOUR MARKET PRO­GRAMMES IN MACEDONIA – PROMOTING LABOUR MARKET EFFICIENCY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Macedonia and Nicholas Maddock, UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre Abstract UNDP has invested in creation of job opportunities in Macedonia. This was ini­tially in short-term job creation but, since 2003, actions that generate sustainable jobs have been prominent. UNDP’s support to active labour market programmes is primarily aimed at improved labour market efficiency, but promoting social inclu­sion is also an important objective. Improving the design and performance of exist­ing measures will clearly be important, particularly as a basis for the Government accessing future EU assistance for employment- and unemployment-related ac­tions. Demonstrating that active labour market measures have positive impacts is essential in showing that expenditure is justified. An evaluation system for all ac­tive labour market programmes is therefore essential. Introduction Social inclusion is a key pillar of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assistance in Macedonia, with support to active labour market measures being the most important element. UNDP has invested much in creation of job op­portunities. This was initially in short-term job creation but, since 2003, actions that generate sustainable jobs have been prominent. These include wage-subsidies, internships, preparation of individual employment plans, vocational education and, most recently, support to self-employment. All actions have been in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Employment Services Agency. This paper reviews the linkage between social policy and labour market efficiency in the selection and design of active labour market measures implemented by UNDP in Macedonia. It examines the performance of these active labour market measures to date and sets out the proposed approach in the coming years. 133