Signed Contracts for Two Significant Regional Projects in the South-Еast Planning Region!

To enhance infrastructure and education, contracts were officially signed for the implementation of two significant regional projects with the municipalities of Vasilevo, Bosilovo, Bogdanci, and Novo Selo.

Project: “Creating a Modern Road Network in the South-Еast Planning Region”
Value: 10,329,081 MKD through the 2025 Programme for Balanced Regional Development of the Bureau for Regional Development, with co-financing from the municipalities of Bosilovo and Vasilevo.
This project foresees the construction and reconstruction of key road routes connecting the municipalities of Vasilevo, Bosilovo, and Novo Selo. The investment will ensure faster, safer, and more efficient transportation for citizens, students, and farmers, while simultaneously strengthening regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and local development.

Project: “Digitalization in Primary Education through Smart Boards”
Value: 2,268,000 MKD through the Programme for Development of Areas with Specific Development Needs of the Bureau for Regional Development.
Within this project, a total of 23 interactive boards will be installed in four rural primary schools:

  • “Goce Delchev” Primary School – Vasilevo (7 boards),
  • “Kiril and Metodij” Primary School – Stojakovo (4 boards),
  • Three schools in the municipality of Bosilovo – Ilovica, Bosilovo, and Monospitovo (7 boards),
  • “Manush Turnovski” Primary School – Novo Selo (5 boards).
    The boards will enable modern, interactive teaching tailored to the needs of students and teachers in rural areas.

Both projects represent an important step towards improving the quality of life in rural areas through investments in infrastructure and the digital transformation of education.

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.

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.

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.

   

 

We successfully implemented “Day of the region”!

On 03.12.2024, at the City Gallery in Strumica, the event “Day of the South-East Planning Region” was held, organized by the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region, within the framework of the project “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development – Phase 2,” financially supported by the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development.
The best of the region was discussed – innovations, ideas and visions for the future.

The event was a platform for presenting the achievements and potential of the region, attracting a wide range of participants, including representatives from local authorities, the academic community, the civil sector and the private sector. During the day, participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the new Communication Strategy for the promotion of the region, which will contribute to better cooperation with the community and increased visibility of regional initiatives.

The event featured inspiring panel discussions covering key topics for the development of the region, such as the role of municipalities as a pillar of regional progress, the implementation of green practices and circular economy as drivers of sustainability, as well as opportunities for development through tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.
A special moment was the video presentation of the South-East region, which highlighted the dynamics of development and the future potential of the region, inspiring attendees to think about new opportunities for cooperation.

The event ended with an informal networking and cocktail, where participants shared their ideas for future collaborations. We look forward to seeing the results of this initiative and following our region’s path to a better future!

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.