Successful Completion of the First SIJMA Project Meeting in Oviedo, Spain

From June 11 to 13, 2025, the Center for Development of the Southeast Planning Region participated in the official kick-off meeting of the SIJMA project – Social Innovations for Jobs and Development in Mining Areas in Transition Across Europe, held in Oviedo, the capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Asturias.

The SIJMA project, funded by the Interreg Europe Programme, aims to develop innovative approaches that enhance employment opportunities and social inclusion for young people. The focus is placed on social innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and active involvement of local stakeholders.

The event began with a working session where partners from five countries – Spain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and North Macedonia – presented the project’s objectives, structure, and the activities planned for the upcoming period. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to establish the foundations for collaboration, strengthen the partnership network, and align the steps for implementation.

As part of the programme, a field visit was organized to the Muniellos Biosphere Reserve, a former mining area that today serves as a model for successful management of natural resources and a transition toward sustainable rural development. Participants were introduced to several local initiatives and activities aimed at reducing depopulation and promoting the circular economy. Regional mayors shared examples of how social innovation and economic diversification are revitalizing their communities.

The agenda also included a visit to the Nalón Valley, a former hub of heavy industry. The partners visited two key reference centers:

  • Valnalón, a technology park that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit among youth through educational and startup programmes, and
  • ARCU, a creative youth space where informal learning and collaborative action support the development of social and creative initiatives.

Both examples demonstrated how social innovation can generate long-term prospects for young people in less developed regions.

The SIJMA project seeks to enable the transfer of good practices between different regions and contribute to improving policies related to employment, youth engagement, and inclusive local development. The experiences from Oviedo serve as a strong starting point for the continued implementation of activities and for creating conditions for sustainable development in the Southeast Planning Region.

Social innovations for job opportunities and development in mining areas in transition across Europe – SIJMA

The “SIJMA” project aims to create employment opportunities and economic development in mining areas in transition, such as Konce and Radovis, i.e. in mines that have been closed and abandoned, activities aimed at creating new opportunities for young people will be implemented. The focus is on encouraging social innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity, in order for young people to acquire skills through retraining that will enable them to be employed in various activities and develop sustainable local economies. With the project activities, these areas will be revitalized, while at the same time creating sustainable jobs and new opportunities for economic progress.

 

The Centre for Development Launches a New Project through the Interreg Europe Programme

A sustainable development model requires innovative approaches, partnerships, and targeted policies. To that end, the Center for Development of the South-Еast Planning Region is a partner in the SIJMA project, funded through the Interreg Europe Programme, which promotes social innovation as a tool for creating new jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The project brings together organizations from Spain, Greece, North Macedonia, Hungary, and Germany, creating a network for knowledge exchange and best practices aimed at developing new sustainable development strategies.

Improving utility services in the South-East Planning Region through the procurement of a vehicle for the municipality of Novo Selo

In order to improve the quality of life of citizens and create a cleaner and healthier environment, the Center for Development of the Southeast Planning Region, in partnership with the Municipality of Novo Selo, is implementing the project “Improvement of communal services in the Southeast Planning Region through the procurement of a vehicle for the Municipality of Novo Selo”. The project represents a concrete step towards improving local communal systems and supporting sustainable waste management practices.

 

Notice of extension of the deadline for the public call for participation of municipalities in the ReLOaD3 program (Group 2)

UNDP, through the ReLOaD3 Programme, which is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia, has announced a public call for funding to strengthen participatory democracy and the role of civil society in decision-making and EU integration processes. All municipalities that have not participated in the previous phases of the ReLOaD programme are invited to express their interest in participating in ReLOaD3. Through this public call, four partner municipalities will be selected to receive support and further develop transparent mechanisms for financing civil society projects.
The deadline for applications is 29.05.2025 by 17:00

Link to the public call: https://www.undp.org/north-macedonia/publications/regional-programme-local-democracy-western-balkans-3-reload3-announces-public-call-participation-reload3-programme

 

Third regional event “Knowledge triangles for Green and Digital Transformation” in Strumica

The Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region, together with the partners from the country, Emkice KIC and the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia, successfully organized the third regional event entitled “Knowledge triangles for Green and Digital Transformation” in Strumica, within the framework of the project “Smart Electricity for Buildings – Centers of Vocational Excellence – SEBCoVE.

The event was attended by mayors, university professors, engineers, architects and representatives from the construction and energy sectors, as well as numerous organizations dedicated to sustainable development. A key focus was on strengthening cooperation between local government, academia and the private sector, with an emphasis on green and digital transformation as a driving force for achieving sustainable development.

The discussions at the event took place in three interactive panel sessions:

  • The first panel was dedicated to energy efficiency in municipalities, where mayors presented successful projects and plans for future efforts in this direction. Local strategies for smart and efficient buildings were highlighted, as well as the challenges municipalities face in their implementation.
  • In the second panel, professors and experts in regional development discussed the role of smart and energy-efficient buildings in the future. They emphasized the importance of new technologies for the development of smart buildings and the potential for cooperation between academia and the business sector for faster implementation of innovative solutions.
  • The third panel focused on the construction sector and energy efficiency. Representatives of companies from the region offered interesting perspectives on the future development of smart and energy-efficient solutions, as well as opportunities for financing these projects.

One of the key moments of the event was the signing of memorandums of cooperation with the electrical and mechanical faculties of the three state universities, the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Bitola, the University “St. Cyril and Methodius” – Skopje and the University “Goce Delchev” – Shtip. This partnership will enable joint efforts in creating innovative solutions in areas such as mechanical engineering, architecture and electrical engineering, in order to promote green and digital transformation.

The regional event “Knowledge triangles for Green and Digital Transformation” in Strumica was an excellent platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the local government, the academic sector and the business community and confirmed the importance of cooperation and partnerships for achieving the goals of sustainable development and innovation. It laid the foundation for the implementation of future activities within the project, encouraged the realization of smart and energy-efficient solutions that will make public and municipal institutions more efficient, reduce electricity costs and contribute to environmental protection in the region.

Annual Workshop of the Regional Development Centres

This year’s three-day Conference on Accountability of the Centers for Development of the eight planning regions in the Republic of North Macedonia is being held in Gevgelija, hosted by South-East Planning Region. The conference was opened by the Minister of Local Self-Government, Mr. Zlatko Perinski, in front of an audience consisting of senior representatives of the Swiss Development Agency, the Bureau for Regional Development, as well as mayors from all regions.

The Centre for development of the South-East Planning Region actively participated in the conference, presenting all projects implemented in the past year, along with current activities and future development plans. The second day was dedicated to the identification and coordination of donor funds within the framework of the “Fundraising” workshop, aimed at finding financial resources for new projects. The final part of the conference was reserved for the presentation of the activities of the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Bureau for Regional Development to support balanced regional development in 2025.

Like previous years, this conference enabled networking, team-building, exchange of experiences and promotion of regional values ​​and brands, all in the spirit of the joint mission for balanced development, with the aim of improving the quality of life of citizens – from regional to national level.

   

 

IV Session of the Council for Social Protection of the SEPR was held

At the scheduled session of the Council for Social Protection of the South-East Planning Region, which was held on December 24, 2024 at the premises of the Centre, a new president, Mr. Zlatko Ristov, Mayor of the Municipality of Konce, was elected for a one-year term.

In his address, the newly elected president, Mr. Ristov, sincerely thanked the members of the Council for the trust they had shown him, noting that he accepted the position with a sense of great responsibility and dedication. He emphasized his commitment to improving social protection and strengthening cohesion between municipalities in the region.

He also announced activities aimed at strengthening cooperation with local authorities, the non-governmental sector and international organizations, with the aim of implementing projects that will enable efficient handling of social challenges.

The members of the Council present welcomed his initiative and expressed their readiness to work together towards achieving the set goals.