The Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region – part of the networking at the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels!

The Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region participated in high-profile events organized by the ACRID Network, focused on strengthening leadership skills and effectively utilizing funding opportunities through the European Union.

Participants received practical guidance on:

✅ Preparing for the upcoming Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ calls for 2025.

✅ Strengthening leadership capacities to develop successful funding strategies.

✅ Building strong project consortia for future initiatives.

✅ Analyzing funding opportunities through programs such as Horizon Europe, LIFE+, and SMP.
✅ Developing partnerships within eight thematic areas.
✅ Discussion on energy, transport, environment, and industry.
✅ Promoting a circular economy and addressing resource constraints.
✅ Encouraging digital, green, and advanced technologies to strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness.

The visit of the European Commission and the European Parliament enabled a direct exchange of experiences with European institutions that are actively working to support regional growth, innovation and sustainable development.

During the gala dinner organized by the hosts, the SEBCoVE project was officially promoted by all the present partners and the attendees had the opportunity to learn about the key activities implemented within the project, as well as the expected results.

Through its participation, the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region:
– Strengthened international partnerships and opened new opportunities for joint projects.
– Provided access to innovation resources and platforms to support sustainable initiatives.
– Received valuable guidance for harmonizing regional strategies with the priorities of the European Union

These activities represent a significant step forward in ensuring sustainable, inclusive and innovation-oriented development for the South-East region.

The South-East planning region towards energy independence with new photovoltaic power plants

The Centre for development of the South-East planning region has successfully implemented the project “Energy Efficient Region” for the construction of photovoltaic power plants for the municipalities of Radovish, Konche and Vasilevo, for which a promotional event was held on 22.11.2024. The event was attended by the Minister of Local Self-Government, Mr. Zlatko Perinski, the Mayors of the municipalities involved in the project, representatives of the Ministry and the project office, as well as other guests.

Mr. Pirinski emphasized that this is a very important project, not only due to the reduction of electricity consumption, but also due to the long-term energy security and preservation of the natural environment. “It is an excellent example of inter-municipal cooperation, which can be applied in other regions, enabling the improvement of the quality of life and support for economic growth,” Perinski pointed out.

The Director of the Centre, Gjoko Kamchev, added that this project is a significant step towards creating an energy-independent region. “The project is focused on the integration of new software solutions for the use and production of electricity from alternative sources. Additionally, efficient monitoring and redirection of the produced energy is envisaged where it is most needed at a given moment. With this, the South-East Planning Region sets an example for how regions should move towards sustainable development,” Kamchev stressed.

The photovoltaic power plants will contribute to a significant reduction in electricity costs in the three municipalities. The produced energy will be distributed according to the following principle: 25% for the municipalities of Konche and Vasilevo, while 50% will belong to the Municipality of Radovish. These savings will enable the municipalities to direct funds to other development priorities, such as improving education and infrastructure.

The total investment in the project is around 23 million denars, with financial support from the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Development Agency, as well as participation from the three municipalities.

The project is implemented within the framework of the grant scheme of the project “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development – Second Phase.” With such initiatives, the Centre for development of the South-East planning region continues to improve the quality of life and create conditions for sustainable development in the region.

SEBCoVE project partners held an event in Skopje

The SEBCoVE project team of the CDSEPR was part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Union of Chambers of Commerce, where the event “Tripartite Cooperation for Knowledge in Green and Digital Transition” was held within its framework. Through three sessions, the participants discussed the benefits of building smart buildings as a new step towards introducing innovative solutions within the framework of the green economy in our country.

The event presented the key activities and expected results of the SEBCoVE project, with a special focus on the need to develop specialized courses and training for smart electricity. The discussions identified the needs of the industry and ways to align current educational programs with these new trends. In this regard, the initiative to open a Center for Education for Smart Technologies within the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region (CDSEPR) was highlighted.

The event was enriched by senior representatives from the business sector and institutions, including the President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Trajan Angelovski, Vice Presidents Orce Simov, Goran Gjorgievski and Dragan Pehchevski, as well as Aleksandar Nikolovski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction and Transport, who addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives for the economic development of the country.

SEBCoVE continues its mission to advance knowledge and innovation in the green and digital transition, creating new opportunities for professional development and applicable education in this area.

CDSEPR ORGANIZED A WORKSHOP WITH TOPPIC “DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN PLANNING REGIONS”

On November 5, 2024, at Hotel Sirius, the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region organized a workshop on the topic “Development of social services in planning regions” within the framework of the project “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development—phase 2.”

Representatives from all ten municipalities in the South-East region who take active participation in social protection attended the event. Also, the directors of the Centres for Social Work, representatives of the Red Cross, and non-governmental organizations were present on the event.

 

In his speech, Mr. Risto Manchev, President of the Council for Social Protection of the South-East Region, emphasized the importance of developing a network of social services that will meet the needs of citizens and encourage inclusive and sustainable development.
“It is important to recognize the specific needs of different groups – from children and youth, through people with disabilities, to older generations,” he added.

The participants made an active contribution through working in groups and solving practical tasks, creating a productive working atmosphere.

The XXIX Session of the Council for the Development of SEPR was held

On October 31, 2024, the XXIX Session of the Council for Development of the JIPR was held.

At this session, Decisions were made on consent for the application and implementation of a total of four proposed projects through the Interreg IPA Program for cross-border cooperation between Greece – the Republic of North Macedonia 2021-2027.

Decisions on the handover of three facilities were also made, which were implemented by CDSEPR, and financed by the Program of the Regional Development Bureau for 2023 with indicative funds for 2024. With these projects, regional primary school “Kiril and Metodij” in the village of Sekirnik – Bosilovo was reconstructed, a 280 km long road was built and equipment for a filter station was purchased, both in municipality Vasilevo.

In accordance with the obligations of the Center, positive opinions were also given for the signed Collective Agreement and for amending and supplementing the Salary Regulations.

A new president of the Council for Development of the SEPR, Mr. Gjorge Bozinov, mayor of the municipality of Novo Selo, was also elected.

The XXVIII Session of the Council for the Development of JIPR was held

XXVIII Session of the Council for the Development of SEPR was held on August 7, 2024. It was held online on the ZOOM platform.

With the required majority, a Consent Decision was passed for the application and implementation of a project proposal through a call Competitive Fund for Community-Based Fire Management Projects supported by the Swiss Embassy in the Republic of S.Macedonia.

Prepared technical documentation for the installation of fast chargers for electric vehicles

With the support of the project “Strengthening the municipal capacities for the implementation of projects”, the South-East planning region produced technical documentation for the installation of fast chargers for electric vehicles. The documentation includes 20 separate projects for all 10 municipalities in the region – Strumica, Radovish, Vasilevo, Konche, Gevgelija, Valandovo, Dojran, Bogdanci, Bosilovo and Novo Selo.

This is the first project of this kind in the region and in the country, the Centre for development of the South-East planning region announced. The documentation will serve as a basis for securing investments for sustainable transport solutions in the territory of these municipalities.

“Our next goal is, through coordinated efforts with the municipalities and the competent state institutions, to secure the necessary financial resources for the gradual construction of the e-chargers at the planned locations. The installation of these fast chargers of 150 kw and the possibility of their expansion to 220 kw, will open new opportunities for the development of tourism in the South-East planning region and attracting a greater number of tourists who use electric vehicles. In addition, this infrastructure will play a significant role in reducing pollution, improving the quality of life and increasing the use of clean energy, which will contribute to the ecological and economic progress of the region,” said Mr. Gjoko Kamchev, Director of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region.

The project “E-chargers for electric vehicles: technical documentation” was implemented with the support of the Technical Documentation Fund. This fund was established as an instrument for financial and technical support in the management of infrastructure projects, as part of the UNDP project “Strengthening municipal capacities for project implementation”, which is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Local Self-Government, through financial support provided by the Embassy of Sweden in Skopje and the Regional Development Bureau. Part of the financial resources were also provided by the municipalities in the South-East region.

Tripartite Knowledge Cooperation in Green and Digital Transition – SEBCoVE

Today, in the “La Terrazza” hotel in Dojran, the important event “Tripartite cooperation for knowledge in green and digital transition” was held, organized within the SEBCoVE – Smart Electricity for Buildings project, financed by the European Commission. The event was organized by the partners of the project: Center for Development of the South-Eastern Planning Region, Union of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia and Emkice KIC.

The event was attended by senior representatives from the public and private sectors, including the Minister of Digital Transformation, the Minister of Local Self-Government and the Minister of Public Administration of the Republic of Macedonia and mayors from the region. Also present were representatives of embassies in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as a representative from the European Commission and the Euroembassy. Experts from the Tesla Science Center in New York, as well as prestigious professors and researchers from various universities and institutes from Europe and the United States, also had their addresses.

Within three panel discussions, the participants had the opportunity to exchange opinions and experiences on the future activities of the SEBCoVE project, digitalization, innovations in smart cities and villages, as well as trends in green and digital transformation policies for local and regional economic development.
The SEBCoVE project, which will be implemented in the next three years in seven European countries, including Macedonia, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, with a total budget of 3 million euros. The aim of this project is to support digital transformation and energy efficiency in public buildings, through the cooperation of some of the best experts and organizations in Europe.

The event continues tomorrow, where attendees will continue their journey through the beauties of the Southeast region with an informal exchange of ideas and building new partnerships.

The XXVII session of the Council for Development of the SEPR was held

On 01.07.2024, the president of the Council for development to the SEPR called an emergency meeting at which the ten municipalities from the South-East Planning Region in order to make a coordination for taking measures to protect and deal with fires in the South-East Planning Region. At this session, a conclusion was made by all mayors who send the requested for meeting in the shortest possible time with the Minister of Environment, as well as other relevant state institutions, in order to solve the problem with the landfill in the village of Dobrashinci.

Also at the session, a decision was made to consent to the application and implementation of a project through a call for submission of project proposals for the Preparation of technical documentation for infrastructure projects through the Technical Documentation Fund.