The citizens of the South-East Planning Region have ranked the priority projects for 2022

On April 22, 2022 in Hotel Sirius in Strumica the Centre for development of the South-East planning region organized the Second Forum Session from the Regional Community Forumsthat are realized within the project “Sustainable and inclusive balanced regional development – phase 2”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Government of the Republic of N. Macedonia, represented by the Ministry of Local Self-Government.

Representatives from the municipalities, members and presidents of the Municipal Councils of the South-East Planning Region, councilors from the Units of the local self-government, representatives of the business community, civil society organizations, urban / local communities and other stakeholders from the region were present on the Second forum session.

The participants had the opportunity to rank the proposed concepts for both Programs: Grant Scheme Program for projects with mandatory digital component and Ministry of self-government / Bureau for regional development Program for balanced regional development for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023, which were proposed by the participants during the First Forum Sessionand are aimed at improving life in the wider community and the region.

Еach working table had to evaluate the proposed concepts, giving the most points to the one who considers it to be with the highest priority, less to the others who consider it to be of medium or low priority. The given points from each table were entered publicly, after which the total number of points gave the final ranking list of the proposed concepts.

The project concepts under the Grant Scheme Program for projects with a mandatory digital component were ranked as follows:

1. Smart cycling region

2. Energy efficient region

3. Dojran regional eco-oasis

The project concepts under the Ministry of self-government / Bureu for regional development Program for balanced regional development for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023:

1. Tourism – the future of the region

2. Cultural wealth – a legacy for future generations

3. Reconstruction of the local road v. Stojakovo – v. Gjavoto

4. Preparation of technical documentation for construction of bicycle paths in the municipalities of Konche, Radovish and Vasilevo

The next steps include preparation of project applications and submission to the evaluation committee for the concept proposals from the Grant Scheme, while the draft concepts from the Ministry of self-government / Bureu for regional developmentProgram will be presented to the Council for development of the South-East planning region. The Council will decide on the final list of regional project proposals for 2022 taking into consideration the voting from the Second Forum Session.

Agreements signed for national co-financing of two projects through the Cross-Border Cooperation Program with Greece

On 04.05.2022, in the premises of the Officers’ Home in Bitola, the Director of the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region Ms. Zhulieta Gjurkova and the Minister of Local Self-Government Mr. Goran Milevski signed Agreements for national co-financing for two projects that the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region is implementing through the Second Call within the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia.

The co-financing is provided from the national budget of the Ministry of Local Self-Government in the amount of 15% of the funds approved for the Centre as a partner in the two projects that are implemented in two priority axis: development of local economy and prevention and protection against natural disasters.
Through the implementation of the first project for which a National Co-financing Agreement was signed, “Business Ecosystem as Integrated System – Be In”,
measures for reducing the gap between supply and demand in the labor market will be implemented, as well as activities to encourage innovation and capacity development and networking. The total budget of the
Centre for realization of the project is 152,482.50 euros, with a duration of 18 months.

While within the project “Early FIre Detection And Ranging for disaster prevention and management – eFIDAR”, with a duration of 24 months and a
budget for the Centre of 267,939.50 euros, two
firefighting vehicles with firefighting equipment will be procured and activities for efficient detection and management of forest fires in the cross-border area will be carry out.

Through the First call of the Programming period 2014-2020 from the IPA Interreg Programme for cross-border cooperation with Greece, the Centre completed the implementation of two projects at the end of 2021, and so far has concluded agreements for a total of seven cross-border projects with Greece.

VII (SEVENTH) SESSION OF THE COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH-EAST PLANNING REGION WAS HELD

In the premises of the Municipality of Radovish, on April 14, 2022, the VII (seventh) Session of the Council for development of the South-East planning region was held.

Besides the members of the Council, representatives of the SDC / Ministry of Local Self-Government were also present at the Session, as well as Prof. Dr. Boris Cizalj, regional management expert. Also Mr. Tihomir Petreski, external expert for preparation of concept solutions and project proposals was present.

According to the agenda, Prof. Dr. Boris Cizalj from Republic of Slovenia addressed the present, and presented his practices and experiences as a long-term expert in the field of regional development. The purpose of his presentation was through an open discussion with the mayors, to determine which countries, according to the planned Study visit of the members of the Council, can be visited and to exchange good practices that would be applicable in the South-East Planning Region, which activity is planned within the project “Sustainable and inclusive balanced regional development”.

The external expert, Mr. Tihomir Petreski presented the concept solutions for project applications through the Balanced Regional Development Program for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023 of MLS / BRR and Grant Scheme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which were proposed at the First Forum Session, in order for the members of the Council to get acquainted with the proposed concepts and to give their opinion and recommendations for improvement.

The Code of Ethics and six Policies were adopted at the session, which are of particular importance for the overall work of the staff of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region. The final account reports of the Centre for 2021 were also adopted.

The construction of the access road to the shelter for homeless animals has started

On March 30, 2022, the construction activities for the construction of the access road to the shelter for homeless animals in the Municipality of Strumica has started, a project implemented by the Centre for development of the South-East planning region in partnership with the Municipality of Strumica, funded by the Bureau for Regional Development and the Municipality of Strumica.

The Director of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region, Ms. Zhulieta Gjurkova informed that the needed amount of over 4 million denars for this project are provided by the Program for balanced regional development under which the Centre is currently implementing several other projects that are of great importance for economic development of the South-East region.

– It is important to point out that through this Program the shelter itself was built and 2 vehicles for catching dogs were procured, and with the support of UNDP the entire equipment in the hospital was procured. The realization of this project will enable the shelter for homeless animals to start functioning smoothly, and we are working on providing additional funds to increase the capacity of the shelter, which will provide a cleaner and healthier environment for the Municipality of Strumica and other municipalities in the region as well – said Ms. Gjurkova.

The President of the Council of the Municipality of Strumica, Mr. Marjan Daskalovski, emphasized that with this project it is planned to build a modern infrastructure for easy and fast access to the shelter for homeless animals by arranging the entrance of the shelter with parking space, ground floor and horticultural arrangement, by weeding the space, setting up benches, trash cans and planting trees.

This project has regional significance because although the shelter will be managed and financed by the Municipality of Strumica, in the future, in accordance with the legal regulations, it will be in function of the neighboring municipalities for a minimum fee per captured dog.

The Ambassador of Switzerland Véronique Hulmann Marti has visited the South-East planning region

When local governments, civil society and the private sector work together real changes are made on local and regional level. The Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of North Macedonia together with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation over the past few years is committed to supporting sustainable regional development in the Republic of North Macedonia.

This week, the Ambassador Véronique Hulmann Marti visited the South-East Planning Region where she met the key partners in the region and got acquainted with the concrete results of projects funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation at local and regional level.

The meeting was held in the Municipality of Strumica and was attended by the Director of the Centre for development of the South-East Planning region Zhulieta Gjurkova, the Mayor of Municipality of Strumica Kostadin Kostadinov, the President of the Council Marjan Daskalovski and the Secretary of the Municipality Aleksandar Odzakov where they discussed the current cooperation and the future plans.

In the South-East Planning Region, several projects funded by Swiss funds have been implemented so far, which have a direct impact on improving the quality of life, regional cooperation and promoting an innovative approach in providing services to all stakeholders. One of those projects is the project for restoration of the Strumica river basin, whose activities were aimed at increasing the competitiveness of agricultural production in the region and reducing its impact on the environment, through the introduction of modern, agro-environmental measures.

Also, with the direct participation of the citizens of the South-East region in a participatory way through the project “Sustainable and inclusive balanced regional development”, financially supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, four Day Care Centers for people with special needs were equipped with work equipment, 23 agro meteorological stations were placed, an Academy for reintegration of marginalized people was established and a Common Workplace as a way of strengthening the cooperation with the business sector were established.

The cooperation does not stop here and the Regional Forum sessions of the community are under implementation, whereas priorities for solving this year were the problems in the field of environmental protection and improving the tourist offer in the South-Еast region, which once again confirms the mutual further commitment for realization of new projects which are of interest for the citizens.

First forum session in the South-East Planning Region

The holding of the first forum session on March 10, 2022 announced the start of the process of Regional Community Forums in the South-East Planning Region, financially supported by the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the project “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development 2” phase. ”

The first forum session was divided into two parts, as project ideas and solutions were proposed in two Programs, as follows:

  • Program for projects through MLS / SDC Grant Scheme and
  • Program for balanced regional development for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023 of MLS / BRR.

In the first part of the Grant Scheme Program, it is planned to allocate funds for a project of at least 320 thousand euros. For that purpose, the forum participants who were from different categories of citizens from the South-East Planning Region (from the Units of Local Self-Government, Municipal Councils, NGOs, business sector and other interested citizens) had the opportunity to identify and define priority regional issues for each of previously identified priority areas.

In the second part of the day, the participants proposed project ideas for the Program for balanced regional development for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023, where about 750 thousand euros are available for the implementation of projects of regional importance.

Over 70 participants in the forum actively participated in identifying the problems affecting the South-East region, discussed, and also proposed solutions to overcome the problems in order to improve the living conditions of all citizens in the region, which is of particular importance for successful implementation of the regional forum process. In the following period, based on the identified challenges from the first forum session, conceptual solutions will be developed for both Programs that will be further presented to the Council for Development of the South-East Planning Region and to the present participants in the second forum session, which is planned to take place at the end of April 2022.

MEETING OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT WITH THE MAYORS OF THE SOUTH-EAST PLANNING REGION

On March 23, 2022, by the Center for Development of the Southeast Planning Region was organized a meeting with the Ministry of Environment and the mayors of this region as part of the activities for preparation of a Spatial Plan of the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Hristina Odzaklieska, mayors and representatives of 10 municipalities in the Southeast Planning Region.

The purpose of the meeting was to get acquainted with the process of preparation of a Spatial Plan in the Republic of North Macedonia and the participants to take active part and contribute to decision making.

Planning regions are one of the most important stakeholders and their participation in this process is important regional priorities and specifics, which will achieve balanced development.

Therefore, it is especially important to actively involve the local self-government units in the process of drafting the Spatial Plan, which will provide the necessary documentation, data and information, in order to develop a plan that will contribute to the efforts to achieve balanced regional development in the state.

The whole process of preparation of the Spatial Plan, its adoption and implementation, who will be transparent, democratic and inclusive and will unite all stakeholders that are part of the planning policy.

A good policy of spatial planning and protection of the public interest is ensured by sustainable use of land, natural and created values ​​and protection of the environment, which is the basis of the methodology for preparation of the spatial plan.

VI (SIXTH) SESSION OF THE COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH-EAST PLANNING REGION WAS HELD

The Council for Development of the South-East Planning Region on March 23, 2022 in Strumica held the VI (sixth) Session. On this Session the Council adopted the Decision on ground activity of the municipalities for treatment against mosquitoes (larvicidal and adult form) on the territories of the municipalities in the South-East planning region by land and air by 2022. The representatives of the CDSEPR presented to the participants information for preparation of project concepts within of the project “Sustainable and inclusive balanced regional development – Phase II” under the two Programs:

  • Digital Scheme Investment Project Grant Scheme funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Ministry of Local Self-Government;
  • Program for balanced regional development for 2022 with indicatively planned funds for 2023, financed by MLS – BRR.

The Council unanimously adopted the Annual Report on the implementation of the Program for development of the South-East Planning Region for 2021.

The first working meeting of the project partners for implementation of the project “Be In” was held

Within the project “Business eco-system as an Integrated System – Be In”, funded by the European Union through the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Greece – R. North Macedonia, on March 22, 2022, in Thessaloniki, Greece, the kick-off meeting of the project partners in the project was held, which are:

– Region of Central Macedonia, Greece,

– University “Goche Delchev”, Shtip, Republic of North Macedonia

– University of Macedonia Research Institute, Greece,

– Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region, Republic of North Macedonia

At the meeting, the project partners determined their roles, work responsibilities and the expected results from the project. The activities were explained in detail, the manner of their implementation, responsible partners for each of the activity, as well as the time frame needed for their implementation.

This project will enable the creation of a coherent, integrated and innovative business eco-system, encouragement of business ideas, as well as promotion, improvement of individuals, SME’s and increase their capacity in order to reduce the gap between supply and demand in the market in cross-border region.

This goal will be achieved through previously made analyzes, examinations and surveys in the cross-border region between the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece, activities for conducting personal interviews with human resource managers, experts in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, development of digital tools, e-library, digital and joint workshops, innovation camps, study tours, forums and summit of young leaders and entrepreneurs, where the target groups are unemployed people with higher education, small and medium enterprises.

The total budget of the project is 910.144,71 euros and the budget for implementation of the activities under this project for the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region is 152.482,50 euros.

The full realization of this project is planned to last 18 months until 17.07.2023.

SMART SPECIALIZATION WORKSHOP IN THE SOUTH-EAST PLANNING REGION

The Center for Development of the South-East Planning Region within the project Sustainable Inclusive Balanced Regional Development – II phase of implementation on 07.03.2022 in Hotel “Sirius” Strumica organized a workshop on Smart Specialization. The workshop aimed to unite the: local authorities, academia, business sector and civil society and to expand their knowledge in the field of Smart Specialization, as an approach to increase competitiveness, to acquaint them with the process of developing a Strategy for Smart Specialization at the national level and how to replicate it at the regional level. This workshop is a starting point from which a region will have the opportunity to use the potential of the National Smart Specialization Strategy and to create a pilot Regional Smart Specialization Strategy aimed at European Union Cohesion Funds in the future. The Smart Specialization Strategy is of great importance for mapping the competitive advantages of each region separately and thus will focus on public and private investments in economic areas and branches that create the highest productivity and added value in the planning and development of each planning region. This activity is financially supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Ministry of Local Self-Government.