Vacancy Announcement for engaging an IT Expert/s

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

For engaging an IT Expert/s for assessing the economy and cost-effectiveness of the 4 prepared online platforms financed under the 1 st CfP of the IPA CBC programme

Republic of North Macedonia – Republic of Albania 2014-2020

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, with the aim to have a correct judgment for the costs that incurred under the implementation of such activities, the compliance of the General Conditions Article 14 — Eligible costs / Cost eligibility criteria, as well as to properly estimate and evaluate that the costs incurred look reasonable, properly justified and that comply with the requirements of sound financial management, in particular regarding the economy and efficiency. Thus, IT Expert/s will be hired to assess the economy and cost-effectiveness of the four (4) prepared projects online platforms.

The Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs are publishing Public Announcement for Candidates for Vacancies:

for assessing the economy and cost-effectiveness of the 4 prepared online platforms financed under the 1st CfP

Experts for assessing the economy and cost-effectiveness of the 4 prepared online platforms financed under the 1st Call for Proposals of the IPA Cross-border Cooperation programme North Macedonia – Albania 2014-2020.

  • The 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;

Interested experts, having expertise in assessment and evaluation of the related field satisfying the requested conditions of this ToR, should submit an offer accompanied with the following documents:

  • CV;
  • Copy of diplomas;
  • Copies of certifications and documents proving qualifications;
  • Document proving knowledge of English language (this is not needed if previous working experiences have been performed in English-speaking environment);
  • Relevant working references.

Documents must be submitted by post to the following address:

Ministry of Local Self-Government

Street “St. Kiril and Metodij”, no.54,

1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

Mr. Dimirar Vanchov (marking on the outside of the envelope, the position to which the application refers to).

Deadline for application:

Interested candidates must submit the application documents in hard copyuntil 14th of November 2020 at 16:00 (GMT + 1)

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

Additional information can be obtained via e-mail to:

dimitar.vanchov@gmail.com ; or

jts_mkal@yahoo.com

Workshop – SWOT Analysis

Workshop – SWOT Analysis

The Ministry for Self Government/The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as operating structure for the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Albania in collaboration with DEU, in Republic of North Macedonia and Albania, plus the institutions that support this cross-border programme will be organizing a workshop with the intent to present the findings of the conducted SWOT analysis.

The workshop will be held online, on 30.09.2020.

This SWOT analysis is prepared for the new programme for cross-border cooperation in the period of 2021-2027, in the instrument for pre-accessible support (IPA |||).

The aim of this workshop is to encourage a discussion among experts which conducted the SWOT analysis and the intrested institutions and beneficiaries of the CBC Programme.

Discovering hidden attractions

Sharing the cross-border attractions with tourists – benefits for the local communities of Demir Hisar and Klos

In the frame of the project “Discovering Hidden Attractions” two joint workshops on “Capacity building for local stakeholders” will be held on September 15 starting from 9:00 a.m. in “Etno Selo Babino” – Demir Hisar.

This project is part the EU IPA ll Cross Border Cooperation between Republic of North Macedonia and Republic Albania Programme.

The event is organized by the International Center for Art and Sustainable Development “ART POINT GUMNO” from Sloestica – Demir Hisar, who will simultaneously with partnering side “FLAG” from Tirana hold workshops for the local stakeholders for increasing their capacities for hosting travelers and tourists that match their expectations.

Progress meeting

Progress meeting JTS & the Projects 

The Visibility event proposal about European Cooperation Day and the project activities suggests planning in the following months of the topics that were discussed on the Progress on-line meeting between JTS representatives and Projects from the IPA2 CBC Programme between Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Albania, on the 02th of September, 10:00 am.

 

All the participants conclude that each one of the activities will be according to protocols for the COVID-19.

Heraklea

Heraclea Linkestis is getting revamped in accordance to world standards through the project SMART-CUL-TOUR

 

Adaptation and advancement of the archeological locality Heraclea Linkestis is one of the bigger activities in the borders of the project SMART CUL-TOUR, through which the situation will be met with progress. The progress means better visitation conditions, hence enriching the tourist offer.

In duration of two years, 704,590 euros will be spent, 85% of which are co-financed by the EU, and the rest 15% will be on the Ministry of Local Self-Government.

EU is supporting the cross-border cooperation among the two countries in projects valued at 12 million euros in the period of 2014 to 2017 which mainly will be focused on the areas of ecology, cultural heritage, tourism, risk-management and mitigation, climate change, as well as competitiveness, and building of small and medium businesses.

“The project is financed through the CBC program of North Macedonia and Albania, and part of this project is aimed at the reconstruction of Heraclea, the archeological locality, as well as and the establishment of new exhibition space for promotion of cultural heritage in Pustec municipality in Albania in which EU is participating with around 600,000 euros from the total sum of the project which is around 700,000 euros. CBC is very important element of the EU, it is very important priority of the EU, be it within the EU as well as member states with their neighbors as well as the future member states of the EU. The EU currently supports 14 projects financed in 4.5 million euros, that are ongoing and in September there will be additional five million euros made available for CBC between these two countries.” Stated the Euro-Ambassador, chief of the European Union in the country, Samuel Žbogar. Minister Milevski for the project pointed out that it is of exceptional importance because it encourages and promotes tourism and the culture, as well as better development of the economy especially in Bitola.

“With this successful project it is the emphasis of how important is the application of the IPA funds, hence it is not important to only have the cultural heritage, but to maintain it with an appropriate infrastructure for access. I am especially contended that for the first time Heraclea will be accessible for the specially-abled persons. In time of pandemic it was pointed out how important it is for our local capacities to be in functionality and be accessible to all the citizens. We, as a Ministry have a goal to support and promote home tourism, both rural and urban. We need to promote these values locally and internationally.” Stated the Minister for Local Self-Government, Goran Milevski.

The Mayor of Bitola pointed out that the partners in the project the whole period showed that there really is openness and cooperation among them, which is exceptionally important for projects the size of this one.

“What we as a Municipality worked on with this project in part with the implementation are directly in jurisdiction of the municipality Bitola, are the part of the access to Heraclea, more precisely the road Suva Voda which needs to secure an easier and comfortable, access in accordance to standards. In addition, a parking arrangement from both left and right side with which the visitors will have the opportunity and the conditions to come to this locality. Let this project be just one more beginning of what follows in the future because just when I arrived here and we conversed with our partner from Albania, I already suggested one new idea that this project is a beginning to new cultural events from both sides which we can realize. Here at this locality, of course and from the other side, because there is no better way than culture and cultural living of nations to connect everyone and inspire community among them.” Added that Mayor of Municipality Bitola, Natasha Petrovska.

“The rich archeological material from the so far research as a represent of the antic period from this area in biggest quantity is presented in the archeological setting in the Bitola museum, as well as the archeological setting in the locality Heraclea. In area of approximately 50 meters squared exhibited are materials and objects of 1st century BC to 6th century AD. Exhibited are objects made of ceramics, metal, and glass. Most common are coins, jewelry, everyday use objects and bronze plastic. The central place in this museum setting is of the Roman theater model which in 3D offers the picture of the complete research of the theater to its complete conservation and revitalization.” Adds on the Director of NI Office Museum Bitola D-r Meri Stojanova.

Along with the infrastructural arrangements which are concerning with paving of the road from the entrance to the locality to the Theater, making of corresponding practicable for placement of a new scene on it, furthermore, arrangements for the lookout, setting of electrical and solar lights among the whole trail, as well as other activities. There will be an elevator for specially-abled persons, for the first time in this category of visitors there will be access to the Theater, where many cultural events occur, as well as the Lookout, from where they will be able to see the whole locality. For enriching the complete tourist offer, there will be a modernization of the museum and arranging of a new museum setting in which many of the objects will be exhibited which have been discovered in the archeological search in Heraclea, and the visitors have not had a chance to see them ever. The units responsible for control of the entrance, will be set in the borders of the locality, and will enable faters and safer movement of the visitors towards the entrance, as well as better administration of the type and category of visitors, data which is exceptionally important for the creation of the politics regarding the work of the locality.

Towards the advancement of the service there will be a substantial contribution in the making of an appropriate audio guide which the visitors will be able to download from the internet, through using the free wi-fi service in the locality. This audio guide will be made into four languages, and the same will ensure a bigger independence of the visitors and inform them better, in dependency of their affinities.

This project activity will be ennobled with a modernized souvenir shop, in which bigger and wider assortment of museum souvenirs will be offered.

For those visitors who want to see and live something new and unique, especially for younger visitors who in a way are unbreakably connected with the new technological achievements, in cooperation with Municipality Bitola, in several points of the locality there will be corresponding equipment for augmented reality, as well as for virtual reality that will offer a stronger and more realistic experience in the locality in a certain time period.

For the bettering of the general impression of the locality, Municipality Bitola, in the borders of their project activities, predicted a reconstruction of the so-called Roman Road, which leads to the locality and will be appropriately renovated with street lights on solar panels.

The complete activities regarding the promotional segments will be realized by the Youth cultural center – Bitola.

The perennial partnership between all the participants in this project will become stronger with the meet-ups and workshops from the professionals from National Institution “Office and Museum- Bitola” and The Directorate for protection of the cultural heritage from Korca, who will exchange their experiences from the field of protection of cultural heritage. Municipality Pustec in the borders of their project activities will renovate the old building of the school in v. Globolcani, in which one of the most famous Macedonian and Albanian scholars got his education in the second half of XX century, Strejo Spase.

The Directorate for protection of the cultural heritage from Korca, will provide the whole design and provide the equipment for the museum setting which will be relocated in the school, thus giving it a more meaningful function.

This project is part of the IPA II of the CBC program of Republic North Macedonia and Republic Albania 2014-2020, whose goal is to promote tourism, to protect and promote cultural and natural heritage of the targeted areas, thus creating a balanced and sustainable socio-economical development in the cross-border region of Pelagonija and Korca.

SMART-CUL-TOUR is implemented from five partners from both countries, among which, Municipality Bitola as a carrier for the project and the partner institutions: Municipality Pustec, NI Office Museum Bitola, Regional Directorate for Culture Korca, and YCC – Bitola.

7

Mountain Rescue Service’s sixth intervention

Mountain Rescue Service’s sixth intervention since the beginning of the year

 

 

Red Cross Ohrid’s Mountain Rescue Service’s command centre received a call at 9:00 a.m. regarding an accident on a mountain, where two people were collecting forest fruits and one had fallen from the rocky field. The uninjured person had contacted the command centre, who then used the SMS location system, which was created in the project frame of “Ohrid Lake Legion – a safe destination for adventure tourism” financed by the European Union’s Programme for a Cross-Border Cooperation between MK-AL.

This system had allowed for a fast and precise tracking of the accident location, and two teams from the MRS headed for the field and arrived at 10:35 a.m. The injured person had immediately received first aid, the team had stopped the excessive bleeding and immobilized the whole body, following with the arduous procedure of transport and evacuation of the injured person. This procedure was enacted by seven rescue-trained members from MRS with rescue-specialized equipment for delicate technical field. After three hours and fifteen minutes, at 13:50 p.m. the injured was delivered to the ER in the Health home in Ohrid, who then provided care from doctors immediately. The injured was stabilized and transported in an adequate health institution, for further treatment.

With this intervention, which is sixth this year, the MRS is getting closer to record average of one intervention by month, which appropriately stresses out the need for an efficient system for mountain rescue of inaccessible fields, especially in regions in which different types of adventure tourism is being developed.

We are utilizing this opportunity, once again to give our sincerest gratitude to the sacrifice of the MRS volunteers in Red Cross Ohrid, and we are extending it to the SVR Ohrid and the Heath home ER, who always give their maximum help to the MRS teams.

To the injured we wish a fast recovery and we are asking all mountain and nature lovers, who walk among the cross-border region around the Ohrid Lake with them to carry appropriate equipment, as well as first aid kit with mobile phones, with charged battery, and previously downloaded the application for fast signaling to the MRS or will memorize the specialized number for SOS calls 13-112 which is available twenty-fours hour a day, seven days in the week to provide help.

 

Mountain Rescue Service’s Sixth

Link: https://pss.org.mk/shesta-interventsija-na-pss-od-pochetokot-na-godinata/

Donations

Support to the institutions, communities and vulnerable groups affected by COVID 19 within the eligible area of the IPA Cross Border Cooperation Programme between

North Macedonia and Albania

 

Donation of food packages to vulnerable poor families and protective materials to Police departments.

 

Both, the Ministry of Local Self-Government (MoLSG) and Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA), as  Operational Structures (OSs) of the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Albania, together with the European Union Delegation in North Macedonia, in order to contribute to the Covid-19 emergency situation in both countries, had decided to utilize part of the budget funds of the “Technical Assistance” of this programme, to help institutions, communities and vulnerable groups within the cross-border programme area.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, has complicated the live of the population and the normal function of the institutions in the cross-border region, the emergency budget allocation of 10.000 Euros was decided to be invested on this regard.

In order to realize this activity both OSs have started negotiations with the EU Delegation in North Macedonia as contracting authority, in order to provide the needed funds that will be used for immediate support to the institutions, communities and vulnerable groups within the programme eligible area affected by COVID 19.

Based to the need assessment carried out in the target region, the emergency budget allocation was used for the provision of food packages to the most vulnerable groups, the poorest families within the Municipalities of Elbasan and Gramsh in Albania and provision of protective masks, gloves and sanitizers to the Local Department of Internal Affairs in Ohrid to North Macedonia. Thus, two activities were carried out in parallel in both countries.

One hundred and fifty food packages for socially disadvantaged families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Elbasan and Gramsh, Albania were donated by the Program and handed over by local authorities.

On 7th of May 2020, in the Municipality of Elbasan, the food packages for the socially disadvantaged families affected by the pandemic Covid-19 in Elbasan and Gramsh in Albania were donated from the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between North Macedonia and Albania. At this event the donation was handed by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Albania, Mr. Gent Cakaj together with the Ambasador of the EU in Albania H.E. Luigi Soreca to the Mayor of the Municipalitiy of Elbasan, Mr. Gledian Llatja and to the Mayor of the Municipalitiy of Gramsh, Mr. Klodian Tace.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Albania Mr. Gent Cakaj, stressed that this Programme is very important in developing the local communities on both sides of the border but also in tightening the relations between our people and our countries, and expressed their gratitude to the EU as well.

The EU Ambassador in Albania H.Z. Soreca noted that the European Union has allocated 50 million of Euros for Albania to support businesses in this difficult period, while assured the Mayors that the citizens will not be alone in this “war”.

The recipients of the help packages (food packages and protective materials) both, the Mayors of Elbasan and Gramsh from Albania, thanked the EU for the support through this Cross border Cooperation Programme, emphasizing that it is very important to support each other in these challenging times. They also highlighted that with this initiative the European Union is showing the solidarity and the humanity, which is the only way to overcome the crises caused by the Covid-19, which is diminishing the quality of life of the citizens.

 

On 11th of May 2020, in Ohrid, the protective materials for the Department of Police of Ohrid, Kicevo, Struga and Debar to help in their work in front of the pandemic Covid-19, were donated from the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Albania. At this event the donation was handed by the Minister of Local Self Government in North Macedonia, Mr. Goran Milevski together with the EU Delegation Mr. Freek Jaanmat to the High Officials of the Police Departments in Southwest region

(COVID-19) Mr. Milevski: From the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between North Macedonia and Albaniawe donated protective materials to the police at Macedonian side and food packages to the Albanian side

Protective materials such as 2,500 protective masks for multiple uses, 38,050 gloves and 100 antiseptic gels, were given to the Police officers from the SVR Ohrid, as well as colleagues from the regional units, within the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania.

– I would like to express my gratitude to the European Union for accepting the budget allocation for making possible this donation. Police officers are among the first to help fight the Covid-19 crisis. The cooperation between our country and Albania will continue. The cross-border programme is very important for the development of cities on both sides of the border, opportunities for community progress, as well as for strengthening the good neighborly relations and support for EU membership, said Mr. Goran Milevski, Minister of Local Self-Government.

The budget for the donation was 10,000 Euros, which was equal for both the country and neighboring Albania.

– I am very happy to be here because we have the opportunity to convert the savings from the Cross-Border Programme between North Macedonia and Albania, for providing equipment such as protective masks, gloves, antiseptic gels for police officers from SIA Ohrid and their regional units. This is exactly our practice with other projects, where we determine the savings and directly redirect them to help fight the corona crisis. This is only a small part of what we are donating today and it is through urgent donations, which are also for the medical sector as well as for the improvement of the socio-economic measures. We have about 66 million Euros in the form of grants for North Macedonia that are non-refundable covering more areas of intervention, to help institutions, civil society and citizens, said Mr. Freek Janmaat, Head of Economic Affairs, Institution Building, Cross-Border Cooperation at the Delegation of EU in the country.

The police are one of the most important institutions in the society during the corona crisis, which completely protects the citizens and is constantly on the ground, so any donation for them is welcome.

– The donation from the IPA 2 Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between North Macedonia and Albania is coming at the right time and will help us to be more efficient in realizing the tasks for a more successful fight against Covid-19. Today, with this, you showed concern for the health of the police officers and expressed support for the SVR Ohrid, said Mr. Ilija Mileski, Chief of the SVR Ohrid.

Support to the institutions, communities and vulnerable groups affected by COVID 19

Webinar titled “New vs traditional media during Covid19”, organized on 23rd of April 2020.

One webinar titled “New vs traditional media during Covid19”, organized on 23rd of April 2020 via Zoom platform, with the participation of the Communication and Visibility Officers and team of all ongoing projects under the 1st and 2nd CfPs, OSs focal points, JTS staffers and DEU Programme Manager. Topics revolved on important things to be done related the social media during Covid-19, success stories etc were discussed in the webinar. Questions as below took answers and were discussed:

How to run social media successfully, a special emphasis on Facebook, examples, etc.

How to be good in advertising, PR and social media?

How to recognize a good idea and use them to create interesting, fresh and new content?