The process of generating ideas for regional projects for 2024/2025 has begun

With the organization of the first regional forum in the South-West Planning Region, the process of generating project ideas for developing projects for the 2024/2025 programming period began. At the forum held in Struga, approximately 50 representatives of significant stakeholders from the Region determined the priorities according to which the Development Center will develop projects in the coming period with which it will apply to the Ministry of Local Self-Government, i.e. the Bureau for Regional Development. Throughout the forum debate, the main emphasis was placed on the needs of citizens, with the needs for improving the local road infrastructure, increasing the capacities of the PUC and the Fire Departments through the procurement of vehicles and equipment, as well as increasing the energy efficiency of public buildings in the municipalities being identified as priorities. The list also included ideas for improving education in the function of the needs of SMEs and especially craft activities, and emphasis was placed on the needs for improving services in tourism, taking into account the general picture that the Southwestern Planning Region is profiled as the most important tourist region in the country. In this context, the needs for improving the general picture of the environment were also highlighted, with an emphasis on solving the waste problem. In the following period, project concepts will be developed, which the forum will review and evaluate at the second session to be held at the end of November. This will be followed by the process of preparing the necessary technical documentation and shaping the project applications, after which the Regional Development Council will determine which projects the Development Center will apply with to the Ministry of Local Self-Government, i.e. the Bureau for Regional Development. It is expected that projects of regional importance in the amount of 58 million dinars will be supported, funds that will be provided from the central budget of the state from next year and from 2025. – Moderator`s report from the first forum session – Minutes from the first forum session – List of participants