Kick-off conference “EU for Municipalities”

Signing of Co-financing Agreements” as a joint event of the EU for Municipalities and the Cross Border Cooperation programme North Macedonia – Albania


In the framework of the IPA CBC Programme Republic of North Macedonia – Republic of Albania 2014-2020, with the joint initiative of the Programmes, “EU for Municipalities” implemented in North Macedonia and the “CBC Programe North Macedonia – Albania”, implemented by the Operating Structures (OSs) of this programme (Ministry of Local Self-Government in MK and the State Agency for Strategic Planning and Aid Coordination in AL), with the support of the EU Delegation to North Macedonia, was organized the joint event, Kick-off conference “EU for Municipalities”. The event was attended by representatives from both OSs, “EU for Municipalities”, JTS, DEU, several Ministries, Municipalities representatives, as well as with participation of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). This activity took place on 23rd of March, 2022 in the premises of Hotel “Limak” in Skopje, North Macedonia. The promotional event consisted of two components “Signing of co-financing agreements” and “Presentation of thematic networks” and took place in hybrid form with physical presence and online on the “zoom” platform. The activity took place according to the agenda, where at the beginning there were given welcome speeches from officials from institutions from both countries such as EU Ambassadors, Ministers, Mayors, etc. The event continued with the formal signing ceremony of co-financing agreements between the representatives (Mayors) and the Minister of Local Self-Government in North Macedonia. For the CBC Programme MK-AL, 11 Co-financing Agreements were signed with the grant beneficiaries under the 2nd and 3rd call of this CBC programme.


The rest of the activity was related to the organization of three (3) panels as follows:

  • Discussion on Municipal Digitalization (launch of thematic networking).
  • Panel discussion on cross-border challenges of local authorities and overview of calls for proposals under IPA III.
  • Workshop on operational / administrative criteria and visibility requirements.

The second panel on cross-border challenges of local authorities and an overview of calls for proposals under IPA III, started with a brief presentation of the CBC Programme MK-AL, with the objectives, eligible programme area, thematic priorities, financial allocations, grants and projects funded, calls for proposals, etc. This panel discussion was also focused on sustainability, (a) the extent to which beneficiaries or institutions from partner countries will continue to meet the overall goal after the end of external support, and (2) whether the positive impact of the intervention will continue after the completion of the project. The panel highlighted the fact that local government units (municipalities) are the key institutions for the sustainability of project results. For this purpose, under the second and third call of the CBC programme MK-AL, in the guidelines and application criteria, it was necessary that each grant application had to include at least one local authority unit (Municipality) as applicant or co-applicant for each country. Topics of discussion focused on cross-border cooperation, the challenges encountered during the implementation of projects under the Program and the measures taken to meet these challenges, as well as suggestions and recommendations for calls for proposals and perspectives under the upcoming IPA III Programme.


In this panel participated as follows:

  • Mr. Goce Toleski, Head of the JTS, IPA CBC Programme North Macedonia – Albania in the role of moderator.
  • Mr. Pali Kolefski, Mayor of Pustec municipality
  • Mr. Zoran Nogaceski, Mayor of Debrca municipality
  • Ms. Anna-Maria MAGYAR, Member of County Council of Csongrád Megye, the CoR rapporteur on the 2022 EC Enlargement Package.

Practical training for management of EU funded grants” for the Grant Beneficiaries under the 3rd Call for proposals of the IPA CBC Prograame, organized in Struga, North Macedonia on 29 and 30 March 2022

In order to increase the capacities of grant beneficiaries for managing projects awarded under the 3rd CfP, a two- day training session was organized in Struga, North Macedonia. The training provided through the presentations, mainly on the rules for implementation of the grants, reporting, grants-financial aspects, the EU communication and visibility requirements, monitoring, evaluation and control etc.  The co-financing rules for IPA partners & VAT procedures, recommendations to all coordinators, general implementation rules, basic principles of the CBC project were just a part of the topics discussed by the participants and trainers (EUD and JTS representatives). The training aimed to enhanced knowledge and practical skills of grant beneficiaries to implement their projects in line with the provisions of their CBC grant contracts. More specifically training results included: Improved knowledge of the fundamental rules and principles that govern the implementation of their grant contract; Increased capacities for successful day-to-day management of their grant contracts; Improved knowledge of the beneficiaries about the fundamental principles of procurement procedures; Enhanced practical skills for preparation, implementation and evaluation of tenders according Annex of grant contract. The training was delivered by the representatives of Delegation of the European Union in Skopje supported by the Joint Technical Secretariat of the programme.

Interns for the IPA Cross-border Cooperation programme Republic of North Macedonia – Republic of Albania 2014-2020

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The Ministry of Local-Self Government in the Republic of North Macedonia and Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Albania, as the operating structures of the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation programme Republic of North Macedonia – Republic of Albania 2014- 2020, in the framework of this programme are  publishing Public Announcement for Candidates for Vacancies:

 

  • 1 (one) intern for the IPA II Cross-border Cooperation programme North Macedonia – Albania for the JTS office in Struga,
  • Terms of Reference for this position can be downloaded from the following official websites: http://ipacbc-mk-al.net; www.mls.gov.mk; http://punetejashtme.gov.al;

 

Candidates should provide the following documents in electronic version:

  • CV;
  • Copy of diploma ;
  • Other documents on applicant will.

 

Documents must be submitted to the following email address:

jts_mkal@yahoo.com

 

Deadline for application:

Interested candidates must submit the application documents via email  until 09.04.2022 until 15:00 o’clock.

Only those applications which will arrive by the closing date to this announcement will be considered for review.

 

Additional information can be obtained via e-mail to: jts_mkal@yahoo.com

 

Terms of Reference – ToR

Announcement for engaging Expert to prepare the technical specifications for the tender for procurement of two solar boats that will operate in Ohrid Lake, provided by EU grants under the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of North Macedonia

The Ministry of Local-Self Government in the Republic of North Macedonia and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Albania, announce the vacancy for hiring expert(s) for preparing the technical specifications for the tender for procurement of two solar boats that will operate in Ohrid Lake, provided by EU grants under the CBC Programme North Macedonia and Albania.

For more information please consult the Terms of References ToR

Deadline for application is: on 31th of March 2022, in the following electronic address: jts_mkal@yahoo.com