Capacity building events implemented for Potential Applicants (PAs)

One Press Conference in the occasion of lunching the 3rd call was organized on 1st of December 2020 with the participation of EU Ambassadors to North Macedonia H.E. David Geer and Albania H.E. Luigi Soreca and the Minister of Local-Self Government Mr. Goran Milevski and Director of Territorial Cooperation Mr. Redih Lleshi, followed by a wide audience and broadcasted live on social media through the CBC programme account.

 

Four info session for the potential applicants of the 3rd CfP under IPA II CBC Programme had been organized with the participation of 260 persons, aiming to provide detailed information to PAs concerning the rules of the call under this CBC Programme and detailed information on the application package, especially the guidelines for applicants, etc. The info session took place via online on 1, 3, 9 and 16 of December 2020.

Info Days and Partner search forums for Potential Applicants.

In view of the announcement of the 3rd CfP under this IPA II CBC Programme, a series of info day session and a press conference for the potential applicants of the 3rd CfP had been organized after the publication of the call via online during December 2020. The aim was to publicize the individual CfP by giving an introduction of the 3rd CfP, outlining the criteria and providing instructions on the application process and detailed information on the application package, especially the guidelines for applicants. A general interest was awakened and the potential applicants were stimulated to apply with their project proposals. The DEU in Skopje with support of the both OSs as well as the JTS organized 4 (four) information sessions on 1, 3, 9 and 16 December 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19, and Government health safety measures the DEU had organized the sessions via ZOOM online platform. The press conference event on the occasion of publication of the 3rd Call which was followed by the 1st info sessions, consisted with the welcoming speeches/official address by the Ambassadors of the European Union to North Macedonia and Albania, namely H.E. David Geer and H.E Luigi Soreca, Mr. Goran Milevski, Minister of Local-Self Government in North Macedonia and Mr. Redih Lleshi, Head of Operating Structure within the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Albania representing the programme Operating Structures. The press conference with the journalists was held online and the press release was distributed as well. The events were followed by 260 participants representing municipalities, NGOs, educational and other institutions from both countries. The main objective of this activity was to increase the capacity of potential applicants to apply with quality projects under the 3rd CfP of this programme.

 

Capacity building events implemented for Potential Applicants 3 call

Official launch of the 3rd Call for Proposals for Cross Border Cooperation projects between North Macedonia and Albania

On 01 December 2020, David Geer, Ambassador of the European Union in North Macedonia and Luigi Soreca, Ambassador of the European Union in Albania will officially launch the 3rd Call for Proposals for Cross Border Cooperation projects between North Macedonia and Albania. Goran Milevski, Minister of Local Self-Government of North Macedonia and Zef Mazi, Chief Negotiator/National IPA Coordinator of Republic of Albania will present the opportunities for funding that are available under this call to the municipalities from the cross-border area.

 

Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) is a key element of the EU policy towards its neighbours. Designed on the principles of the EU’s territorial cooperation model, CBC promotes cooperation between EU countries and neighbourhood countries sharing a land border or sea crossing. North Macedonia has a cross-border cooperation established with all 5 of its neighbouring countries. Up to date, 14 projects worth nearly €6 million were awarded during the IPA programming period 2014-2020 (IPA 2) under the CBC programme with Albania, alone.

Polog, Pelagonija and South-West regions of North Macedonia, and Korche, Diber and Elbasan on the Albanian part are eligible to apply under this 3rd Call for Proposals. Some €5 million are made available for projects with CBC elements of up to €800,000 each. They will encourage tourism while promoting the natural heritage, support local businesses and competitiveness, and help protect the environment. The IPA CBC programme is co-funded by the government.

 

The media are kindly invited to cover the event at 11:00