Grants for the implementation of inter-municipal cooperation projects

Within the framework of the Programme “Inter-municipal Cooperation for Better Service Provision and EU Accession” implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Ms. Anne-Marie Ali, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. and Mr. Musa Xhaferri, Minister of Local Self-Government, with the presence of ZELS, awarded grants for the implementation of inter-municipal cooperation projects, provided by the Norwegian Government.

During the event, which was held on 26 of November 2009 in the administrative building of the Skopje Fair, a total of eleven grants were awarded for inter-municipal cooperation, which include 24 municipalities and amount in total of 200.000 euros.

Five inter-municipal cooperation projects are in the area of urban planning and four in the area of local economic development. This proves the fact that through strategic approach, local governments are striving towards providing long-term development within their territories, as well as opportunities for sustaining current businesses and attracting new investments through better and improved infrastructure. Two of the projects which focus on tax collection and the project on inspection services will help to assist the municipalities towards better organization of the competencies and increase in local revenues.

Part of the selected projects for inter-municipal cooperation, are between municipalities with different ethnic structure of the population and municipal administration. This will most certainly contribute towards strengthening the multi-ethnic dialogue, through provision of services and joint local economic planning.

Under the Inter-municipal Cooperation Grant Scheme Call for Proposal, a total of 22 projects were submitted with 48 municipalities participating as partners.