PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT for the selection of 1 (one) Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat – Struga

Republic of North Macedonia – Ministry of Local Self-Government in cooperation with the Republic of Albania – State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), within the activities for the implementation of the IPA III Cross-Border Cooperation Program North Macedonia – Albania 2021-2027.

Ministry of Local Self-Government of Republic of North Macedonia launches:

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

for the selection of 1 (one) Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat – Struga, within the IPA 3 Cross-Border Cooperation Program between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania.

For more detailed information, click on the link: TOR Head of the JTS 2025

Offer submission guidelines:

All the interested parties can submit their offers within 15 days from the day of publication of this announcement., by the 28.03.2025 until 3:00 PM at the latest.Only the offers that will be submitted within the deadline will be taken into consideration.

Documents should be submitted by post or hand at the archive of the Ministry of Local Self-government at the following address:

Ministry of Local Self-Government

Str.  Ss Cyril and Methodius, 54

Skopje, 1000

Republic of North Macedonia

 

For: Sonja Jovanovska: Offer for Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat – Struga, within the IPA 3 Cross-Border Cooperation Program between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania.

More knowledges and practical skills on “Contract Award Procedures under CBC grant contracts (PRAG 2021)” for the Grant Beneficiaries under the 3rd Call for Proposals of the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme North Macedonia – Albania 2014-2020

Within the framework of the IPA II CBC Programme North Macedonia – Albania 2014-2020,the Operating Structures (Ministry of Local Self Government in the Republic of North Macedonia and the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination in the Republic of Albania) in cooperation with the Delegation of European Union (DEU) in North Macedonia and the Cross-Border Institution Building project (CBIB +3) and the Joint Technical Secretariat, organized a two-day training “Contract Award Procedures under CBC grant contracts (PRAG 2021)” with the CBC grantees under the 3rdCall for Proposalsof this Programme via online, on 13 and 14 of April, 2022, in order to Enhanced knowledge and practical skills of grant beneficiaries to implement contract award procedures in line with the provisions of their CBC grant contracts.

This training is the second one of the series of trainings organized by the EUDs, OSs, and JTS to support the implementation of the grants under this CfPs. The aim of the training/workshop was to support the grant beneficiaries in the implementation of the awarded grants to proper implement their projects and ensure effectiveness of project activities and results.

Topics such as types of procurements under CBC grant contracts, fundamental principles of procurement procedures, general rules and specific advice, contract award procedures for supplies, service and works (steps, award criteria, documents, technical specifications, timeframe), single tender procedure, evaluation of tenders, practical exercises, etc, had been tackled and discussed among the participants.

The training contributed on Improving knowledge of the grant beneficiaries about the fundamental principles of procurement procedures under CBC grant contracts, furthering knowledge on specific provisions related to procurement of supplies, works and services and enhancing practical skills for preparation, implementation and evaluation of tenders according the Annex IV of grant contract (PRAG 2021)

This 2-day training was attended by 28 participants representing6 grantees, together with the DEU, OSs CBIB +3, and JTS experts.

Capacity building activities (Workshops) for Potential Applicants (PA) organized on 22 and 23 December 2020 and 11 and 12 of January 2021

During December 2020 and January 2021, the Joint technical Secretariat for this IPA CBC Programme in cooperation with the OSs, organized two two-day Project Cycle Management (PCM) trainings named “How to prepare a successful project proposal under the 3rd CfP” as part of capacity building activities after the launching of the 3rd CfP. 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. During the trainings in Struga and Pogradec the participants had the opportunity to learn the Project Cycle Management basics through practical work, examples, group discussions and questions and answers. Additionally, through group exercises, participants have been trained to develop Logical Framework Matrix and to use that information in order to complete relevant parts of the Application Form. During the trainings organized online via zoom platform, the participants had the opportunity to learn the Project Cycle Management basics through practical work, examples, group discussions and questions and answers. Additionally, through group exercises, participants have been trained to develop Logical Framework Matrix and to use that information in order to complete relevant parts of the Application Form. In total, 94 participants participated in the info sessions on 22-23 December 2020 and 11-12 of January 2021, representing different institutions and organizations.

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.

 

‘Reporting and communication’ Training Grant Beneficiaries 2nd call via online on 23, 24 and 25 November 2020

In order to increase the capacities of grant beneficiaries for managing projects awarded under the 2nd Call for Proposals, the last Training on the “Reporting and communication” for the GBs under the 2nd CfP under this CBC Programme was organized via online zoom platform on 23-25 November 2020 in cooperation with DEU in Skopje, both OSs and JTS/Antennae.

Some of the most important topics of the discussions during the training were as follows: General and Special Conditions with emphasis on provisions related to the reporting; Concept of a grant and key aspects of project management; Monitoring of project activities and budget control; Supporting documents, audit, horizontal issues (cover letter, template, chapters, indicators, table of contents, annexes); Preparation and contents of the narrative report; Visibility under CBC projects; Ensuring compliance with the requirements of Communication and Visibility Manual; Financial reporting within the grant contract; Eligibility of costs under CBC grant contracts; Practical exercises, etc. The participants held different discussions with, the EUD, CBIB+ and JTS experts /representatives. These training events were an excellent opportunity for the GBs to get familiarized with the process of project implementation. The training served to both partners in the project to further develop their knowledge in the implementation of the projects in compliance with the requirements of the call.

Presentation of Multi Sectoral Study / Programming process of IPA III

Event Date: 30.10.2020 11:00

Two Workshops/Focus groups meetings will be organized (one in each country) on 30th of October 2020 starting from 11:00 till 13:00 – Presentation of Multi Sectoral Study / Programming process of IPA III CBC North Macedonia and Albania for the 2021 – 2027 perspective! The training will take place on 26th and 27th of November 2018 in Hotel “Karpos”, Skopje.

Following the work that both, 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 Operating Structures are carrying out for the preparation of the new Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between North Macedonia and Albania (IPA III) 2021-2027, there will be organized in parallel two workshops (one in each country) on 30th of October 2020 starting from 11:00 till 13:00.

These two focus group meetings will be organized to present the draft Multi Sectoral Study and have discussions, questions, answers and suggestions among participants and the Experts.

Contract Award Procedures under CBC grant contracts (PRAG 2018) for the Grant Beneficiaries under the 2nd Call for Proposals of the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme North Macedonia – Albania 2014-2020 held in Skopje, North Macedonia on 27-28 of February, 2020

Within the framework of the IPA II CBC Programme North Macedonia – Albania 2014-2020, the Delegation of European Union (DEU) in Skopje in cooperation with the Operating Structures (Ministry of Local Self Government and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), the Cross-Border Institution Building project (CBIB +3) and the Joint Technical Secretariat, organized a two-day training “Contract Award Procedures under CBC grant contracts (PRAG 2018)” with the CBC grantees under the 2nd Call for Proposals (CfP) of this Programme at Hotel “Karpoš”, Skopje, North Macedonia, on 27 and 28 of February, 2020. This training is the second one of the series of trainings organized by the EUDs, OSs, and JTS to support the implementation of the grants under this CfPs. The aim of the training/workshop was to support the grant beneficiaries in the implementation of the awarded grants to proper implement their projects and ensure effectiveness of project activities and results. Topics such as types of procurements under CBC grant contracts, fundamental principles of procurement procedures, general rules and specific advice, contract award procedures for supplies, service and works (steps, award criteria, documents, technical specifications, timeframe), single tender procedure, evaluation of tenders, practical exercises, etc, had been tackled and discussed among the participants. The workshop materials have been developed and delivered by the CBIB +3, DEU together with the JTS and had been provided as part and supported by the Technical Assistance Grant Contract to this IPA CBC Programme funded by the European Union. There were 28 attendees of 5 grantees, together with the EUD, OSs CBIB +3, and JTS experts.

In order to increase the capacities of grant beneficiaries for managing projects awarded under the 2nd CfP, a two- day training session was organized in Tushemisht, Pogradec, Albania.

In order to increase the capacities of grant beneficiaries for managing projects awarded under the 2nd CfP, a two- day training session was organized in Tushemisht, Pogradec, Albania. Co-financing rules for IPA partners & VAT Procedures, General Implementation Rules, Basic Principles of the CBC project was just a part of the topics for the participants. Also, Grant Contract, Rules for implementation, reporting (Financial & Narrative) were discussed by the EUD and JTS representatives and participants. Audit verification report and examples, EU visibility, Secondary procurement and sub-granting and Modification to Grant Contracts accompanied with Monitoring, evaluation and control were the final stages of this training saved
for the last day. 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 training beneficiaries about the fundamental principles of procurement procedures under CBC grant contracts; Enhanced practical skills for preparation, implementation and evaluation of tenders according Annex of grant contract; Besides grant beneficiaries of the IPA CBC programme 2014-2020, the training was attended by the representatives of Delegation of the European Union in Skopje.

Info session under the 2nd CfP for the pre-selected applicants under IPA II CBC Programme was held on 22nd of April 2019, in Struga.

The info session day for the pre-selected applicants’ main goal, was to provide detailed information to potential applicants, about the rules of the second Call for Proposals under the IPA 2 Cross- Border Cooperation Programme MK-AL 2014- 2020, namely detailed information on the Application Package, especially the Guidelines for Applicants. The representatives of both OSs, emphasized the importance of the info sessions and the IPA 2 CBC Programme in general. The rules and the characteristics of the call, allocations for call, eligibility criteria of the applicant, partnerships and eligibility of partners, rules related to co-financing etc, were the main topics of this event.

Capacity building activities (Workshops) for Potential Applicants (PA)

During December 2018 and January 2019, the Joint technical Secretariat for this IPA CBC Programme in cooperation with the OSs, organized two two-day Project Cycle Management (PCM) trainings named “How to prepare a successful project proposal under the 2nd CfP” as part of capacity building activities after the launching of the 2nd CfP. The main objective of this activity was to increase the capacity of potential applicants to apply with quality projects under the 2nd CfP of this programme. During the trainings in Struga and Pogradec the participants had the opportunity to learn the Project Cycle Management basics through practical work, examples, group discussions and questions and answers. Additionally, through group exercises, participants have been trained to develop Logical Framework Matrix and to use that information in order to complete relevant parts of the Application Form. During the trainings in Struga and Pogradec the participants had the opportunity to learn the Project Cycle Management basics through practical work, examples, group discussions and questions and answers. Additionally, through group exercises, participants have been trained to develop Logical Framework Matrix and to use that information in order to complete relevant parts of the Application Form.