As part of the work on the cross-cutting gender component, the OECD hired Reactor – Research in Action to carry out a qualitative assessment for North Macedonia seeking to understand gender differences in household impacts and acceptability of energy reforms, adding depth to the information already available from quantitative sources. Through focus group discussions (FCD) we are dedicated on uncovering the related gender dynamics at play in the following features of households’ relationship to energy:
- energy consumption patterns of households;
- the impact of energy payments and previous tariff increases on household budgets and consumption patterns;
- the different types of mechanisms households resort to in order to cope with price increases—for example, if participants have to cut back on other spending to pay for energy, and which types are cut first (luxuries, basic needs, travel, social activities, etc.)
- the types of programs that participants use to support their basic needs (such as social assistance cash transfers, etc.), experience with assistance measures, and perceptions of the most effective measures for protecting poor households from the adverse impacts of energy tariff increases;
- the perception of quality of service and interaction with energy service providers (electricity, district heating) on matters such as transparency, clarity of tariff-setting processes, accountability, arrears, and nonpayment; and
- attitudes toward energy reforms and tariff reforms more broadly, areas of information that should be considered in communication efforts accompanying energy reforms.
This qualitative assessment is part of the OECD Development Centre implemented project in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) on enabling a Just Transition through coordinated energy sector, social protection and fiscal reforms.