Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

The overall goal of the project was further support to the process of decentralization.

The goal of the project was to improve the exchange of experience between the municipalities, as well as better informing of the public and other actors on the work of the municipalities. Moreover, the project provided opportunity for the municipalities to lobby before various subjects and donors.

The target group of the project were the municipalities of Dolneni, Karbinci, Lozovo, Staro Nagoricane, Saraj, Konce, Caska, Tearce, Zelino, Rosoman, Zrnovci and Chesinovo-Oblesevo, ADKOM and the public.

The Municipalities Fair – ZELS EXPO was held at the Skopje Fair – Skopje in organization of the Association of the Units of Local Self-Government in Republic of Macedonia – ZELS.

MCIC financially supported 11 rural municipalities and the Association of Providers of Utility Services (ADKOM) for leasing the stand area at the Fair.

The Fair was realized on November 16th and 17th, at the same time with the NGO Fair, which also took place at the Skopje Fair. The motto of the Fair was “Two Years Decentralization”, where the following were organized: exhibition part, presentation at stands and several forum panel discussions, round tables and presentations.

At the exhibition part the municipalities and the results from their work were presented. This part consisted of preparing and setting up stands, poster panels, audio and video presentations of the municipalities, describing their projects and programmes with scenarios on the main floor and special programmes on the stands. The municipalities exhibited printed materials, photographs and presented the results from their work at the stands.

Within the Fair, MCIC, in cooperation with ZELS and ADKOM, organized two forum discussions: panel discussion on the topic: reforms in the utility sector in order to employ the opportunity to have, at one place, the representatives from the project, representatives of the ministries, mayors, directors of PUEs and consultants in the field of utility services. The discussions and talks would be held with view of introduction of the problems and foreseen reforms in the utility sector.

At the forum panel, the round table on the topic local self-government and rural development was organized. The goal of this round table was to define the needs of the local self-government in the field of rural development. At the event, the following issues were discussed: governance of the agricultural land, mechanisms and resources for rural development, cooperation and partnership of the LSUs with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water-Supply for creation of rural development policies, infrastructure for rural development, education and capacity of the farmers, as well as issues related to agricultural policy. Both forums were facilitated by MCIC.

MCIC provided funds for lease of exhibition area in amount of 70% from the total price, for 11 municipalities and ADKOM. The remaining 30% were paid by the municipalities.

The time period of implementation was November 12th – December 15th 2007.