A new firefighting vehicle was awarded to the municipality of Strumica

The Center for the Development of the South-East Planning Region within the project “Early Fire Detection And Ranging for disaster prevention and management – eFIDAR” has successfully completed the procurement of a specialized firefighting vehicle – a small firefighting truck for the needs of the Territorial Firefighting Unit – Strumica.

On November 10th, TPPE Strumica received a specialized small truck for extinguishing forest fires and rescue in order to cover the needs of the municipality of Strumica, as well as the rural municipalities of the Strumica micro region, including the municipalities of Bosilovo, Vasilevo and Novo Selo. The new specialized fire fighting vehicle was successfully procured and handed over to the municipality of Strumica for use and maintenance for the needs of TPPE Strumica in a timely manner and according to the plan. The total value of the vehicle is 107,000.00 euros.

This procurement significantly improves the capacity of the Territorial Fire Fighting Unit in Strumica and will facilitate field interventions, especially when dealing with forest fires, which in recent years have caused serious economic damage, even human casualties in the region.

The new firefighting vehicle will enable better preparedness for prevention and dealing with disasters, ensuring a regional, quick and efficient response to possible disasters in the fight to protect the environment and the safety of citizens in the region.

Through this project, specialized firefighting vehicles have already been procured for TPPE Valandovo and TPPE Gevgelija, and by the end of the project it is planned that TPPE Radovish will also receive its own vehicle, with which the entire Southeast region will be fully equipped.

The project is co-financed by the European Union and the national funds of the participating countries.

SMART equipment in the municipality of Dojran

Within the framework of the project “Tourism – the future of the region!”, the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region procured SMART equipment for the municipality of Dojran.

Purchased and installed were charger for electric cars, 20 E-bikes with smart locks and two city information LCD boards (information totems). Wireless equipment for wireless hot spot internet connection has been installed in the central part of Star Dojran.

With the installation of the charger for electric cars, Dojran as a tourist destination will be accessible to tourists who use electric cars as a means of transportation.

Informational LCD boards are placed in two very prominent locations and contain useful information about what is happening in Dojran, what Dojran has to offer. In order to experience Dojran 20 e-Bikes will be used for organized tourist in a new and different way by renting and riding an electric bicycle, where, in addition to riding along the pedestrian-recreational path along the lake, locals and tourists will be able to they also discover the hill beauties that have been difficult to access until now due to the terrain, to visit Ferdinand’s fountain and to ride an electric bicycle along the path of the First World War.

Previously, within the framework of this same project, the hilly bike path of the Front Line was marked, leveled and expanded up to 16 km in length, starting from Nov Dojran and going all the way to Lake Paljurci.

With the SMART equipment, Dojran gets new contents and a new modern image to attract a larger number of tourists, it gets closer to modern tourist sites and is in step with the new modern times in creating a Smart City (SMART CITY).

This activity is financed by the Bureau for Regional Development through the Program for Balanced Regional Development 2022-2023, and is implemented by Centre for development of the South-East Planning Region in partnership with the Municipality of Dojran.

Photovoltaic power plants installed in the “Energy Efficient Region” project

The second promotional event in the “Energy Efficient Region” project was held in Radovish, project implemented by the Centre for development of the South-East planning region, and financially supported by the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Government. Municipalities of Radovish, Konche and Vasilevo also participate with their own funds.

Activities implemented so far were presented and the event was attended by the Minister of Local Self-Government in the Government of R. S. Macedonia, the mayors of Radovish and Konche municipalities, the director of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region and representatives from the project office of the project “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development”.

With the implementation of the project, on the one hand, the municipalities of Radovish, Konche and Vasilevo will have a great benefit in terms of saving electricity consumption, and on the other hand, the citizens will also benefit from the increased investments in infrastructure projects which will lead to increased economic development.

– “I hope that all national and international institutions will recognize the benefits of these projects and will finance other similar projects in the future, which will enable easier functioning and easier sustainability of the municipalities and municipal institutions in the region” – emphasized the director of the Centre, Mr. Gjoko Kamchev.

It is expected that by the end of November this year, the photovoltaic power plants of the two facilities in Radovish will be completely installed, after which the development of software for energy monitoring will follow, and trainings for the use of the system are planned, intended for representatives of the three partner municipalities.

STUDY FOR ANALYSIS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM IN THE SOUTH-EAST REGION

Within the project “Business ecosystem as an integrated system – Be In”, the Centre for development of the South-East Planning Region in cooperation with Gestalt Solutions implemented a series of research in several key areas that have a great impact on entrepreneurial activity and innovation in the region, which resulted in the creation of a Study for analysis of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the South-East Planning Region.

Within the framework of the Study, the strengths and weaknesses of the labor force in the South-East planning region are analyzed. Through a series of questions, the analysis provides an overview of whether workers are actively looking for work, what their personal characteristics are, and what skills and work experience they possess. At the same time, this analysis offers guidelines for improving working conditions and developing modern skills, which are needed to progress in modern businesses.

One of the core aspects of the Study includes researching the entrepreneurial capacities and skills of current and potential entrepreneurs in the South-East Planning Region which provides important information on growth and potential opportunities for innovation in the region.

In addition, the Study includes the development of a series of questions, i.e. in-depth interviews with managers and responsible persons from small and medium-sized companies in the region, who study the challenges and opportunities experienced by businesses in the region, presenting a map of the state of the entrepreneurial scene in the South-East region.

The conclusions of all the research show, among other things, that the enterprises from the South-East planning region successfully adapt to crises through the adoption of new technologies and practices. They mostly focus on online marketing, sales and data analysis. It is interesting that this state of digitization of companies continues even after the Covid crisis, which shows the potential of companies from the region for continuous growth and development.

At the end of the Study, recommendations are given for supporting micro, small and medium-sized companies from the South-East planning region, which include support activities for greater promotion of entrepreneurship, organization of trainings, development of financial and non-financial programs, as well as introduction of information systems for grants and mentoring programs for start-up companies. The goal is to increase innovation and advance the development of SMEs in the region.

The study on the analysis of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the South-East planning region is available at the following link: .

Third meeting held within the project “Be In”

The third meeting within the project “Business eco-system as an integrated system – Be In” was held on June 27, 2023 in Thessaloniki, Greece and it was organized by the second project partner – the Research Institute of the University of Macedonia, Greece.

At the meeting, the key aspects necessary for the smooth implementation of the project and the achievement of the goals were elaborated. The meeting started with a comprehensive discussion on the progress of the project so far, focusing on the incurred costs and their validation for each of the partners.

In continuation of the meeting, the present representatives discussed the output results of each planned and implemented activity, emphasizing their importance in the establishment of the entrepreneurial eco-system in the cross-border region.

In the end, the next steps to be taken were determined, by preparation of calendar of events until the end of the project in order to set a clear trajectory of movement and ensure a well-coordinated and efficient execution of the project.

The project is co-financed by the European Union and the national funds of the participating countries through the Interreg IPA Programme for cross-border cooperation between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia and with the extension of the project implementation deadline, the project will be implemented until November 30, 2023.

A combination of beauty and history – completed and equipped guest house within the monastery church of St. Stefan in Konche

The Centre for development of the South-East planning region successfully completed the activities for the adaptation and equipping of the guesthouse in the frame of the St. Stefan Monastery Church in the municipality of Konche, within the project “Enriching the tourist offer of the South-East planning region.”

During the implementation of this project, construction works were undertaken to expand the St. Spas guesthouse and its equipping with a kitchen, furniture, and other necessary equipment, creating a pleasant ambiance and a well-maintained space that captivates with its natural surroundings and spiritual value.

The total value of the project amounts to 5.800.000, 00 MKD with funds provided by the Bureau for Regional Development and the Municipality of Konche.

With the implementation of this project, the Municipality of Konche will be included on the map of monastery tourist sites, attracting the attention of this type of tourists. This successfully completed project will contribute to the improvement of the tourism offer in the South-East region and will strengthen the position of Konche Municipality as a significant tourist destination with rich cultural and religious heritage.

Kolesino waterfalls and Mokrino springs enriched with new content

Kolešino waterfall located in the heart of the Belasitsa mountain, as part of the activities of the project “Tourism – the future of the region” implemented by the Centre for the Development of the Southeast Planning Region in partnership with the municipality of Novo Selo, financially supported by the Regional Development Bureau, received new content.

The path for climbing to the waterfall has been paved, a new fence was installed in places where there was none before and the existing one has been repaired, the parking lot has been leveled and filled, next to which a parking structure for bicycles has been added, the existing summerhouses have been renovated, a new wooden platform has been made, new trash cans, benches, tables, wooden signposts and traffic signs have been installed, which will enable tourists to have a pleasant stay when visiting these tourist destinations.

The Mokrino springs have been enriched with a new concrete access path for people with special needs, one summerhouse has been adapted for easy access with a wheelchair and parking spaces have been marked for them.

In addition to this content, new summerhouses were additionally built and the existing ones were repaired, the old props were completely replaced with new ones (new trash cans, wooden road signs and traffic signs were installed), a traditional Macedonian oven was made that all visitors can use.

The contractor of the activities of this project DGT “MAJSTOR KOMPANI” completed the planned actions in less than 2 months, and the value of the implemented activities is MKD 4,609,623.00 including VAT.

“ENERGY EFFICIENT REGION” PROJECT HAS BEEN PROMOTED

On March 24, 2023, the “Energy Efficient Region” project was promoted, which was implemented by the Centre for the Development of the South-East Planning Region, in partnership with the municipalities of Konče, Radovish and Vasilevo, and which foresees the construction of a system of photovoltaic power plants on the roofs of OOU “Krste Petkov Misirkov” and the Sports Hall “25 May” in Radovish with a capacity of 430 KW, as well as the development of a software digital system.

At the event, the Director of CRJIPR, Mr. Gjoko Kamchev, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Mr. Kiril Partalov, the Mayor of Radovish Municipality, Mr. Aco Ristov, the Mayor of Konche Municipality, Mr. Zlatko Ristov and the Mayor of the municipality of Vasilevo, Mr. Slave Andonov gave their own address about the project.

“I hope that in the coming period, as a top priority in the goals of the municipalities and the Center, it will be precisely green energy that will significantly contribute to the reduction of the costs of the municipalities, and thus will additionally enable them to use the funds that were previously spent on energy and electricity to use for the realization of other projects, which will be of vital importance for the citizens of the municipalities of Vasilevo, Konche and Radovish” – said the director of the Centre, Mr. Kamchev.

The project team presented the previous and future activities that will be implemented, the expected results, as well as the benefits after the completion of the project implementation.

The total budget of the project amounts is about 23 million denars, funds provided by the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the three municipal partners in the project that also participate.

 

The reconstruction of the road to the church in the village Radicevo, Vasilevo has been completed

Within the framework of the project “Tourism – the future of the region” implemented by the Centre for the Development of the South-East Planning Region, financially supported by the Regional Development Bureau, the reconstruction of the road to the church “St.Ilija” in the village of Radicevo, Vasilevo in the value of 2 196 616 denars, which solved one of the main problems of the residents in this settlement.

It is a street that connects the village with the church and the cemetery, 327 meters long and 3 meters wide. About 1000 square meters of asphalt have been laid on it. Drainage was solved with gutters that in the future will protect the asphalt as well as the surrounding areas from the uncontrolled spilling of water in case of heavy rains.

With the asphalting of this street, the problem of the citizens of Radichevo, who for many years were faced with poor access to the church and the cemetery, was solved.

The contractor of the works was the construction company “Boni Intergradba”, which completely realized this project in a shorter period of time than expected!

SIGNED MEMORANDUM FOR COOPERATION

On March 22, 2023, the Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics, represented by the dean, Prof. Dr. Tatjana Boshkov, and the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region, represented by the director, Mr. Gjoko Kamchev, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Guided by the common interest with this Memorandum, the two institutions establish cooperation based on the use of the scientific-professional capacities of both parties aimed at the promotion of educational, research and project activities, as well as the increase of the educational opportunities of students and employees of CDSEPR.

FTBL and CDSEPR will jointly work on networking and work in national and international networks, on implementing joint initiatives for performing scientific analyzes and research for the benefit of successful implementation of European policies and regulations, as well as on other activities whose ultimate goal is to encourage economic growth and development.