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.