IPO Projects – Canada-Macedonia Initiative in Support of Local Self Government

About IPO

Context

Approach

International Partnership Program

Summary
The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) in partnership with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Ministry of Local Self Government delivered a 2003 capacity development program on regional development and intermunicipal cooperation for municipalities in the Kicevo region of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This partnership is born from the initiative of OSCE to encourage international involvement in the implementation of the country’s Framework Agreement, also known as the Ohrid Peace Agreement. The agreement focuses on securing the future of Macedonia's democracy and promoting the peaceful and harmonious development of civil society. The capacity building approach of the workshop is based on sharing experiences and discussing issues among participants from Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada and developing a joint municipal action plan for cooperation in the Kicevo region.

Funding Agency:
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Canadian Partnership Branch under the CUI’s program agreement entitled the International Partnership Program for Good Urban Governance, 2001-2006.

Timeframe:
2003

Geographic Focus:
The geographic focus of the project is the region of Kicevo situated in the western part of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Six municipalities in the area are involved in the project: Kicevo, Drugovo, Oslomej, Zajas, Vranestica and Plasnica.

Table of Contents

	Project Partners
	Background
	Project Description
	Approach

Want more information?

	Workshop Agenda and Proceedings
	www.vizijatk2020.com

For more information, contact the CUI’s International Programs Office at cui@canurb.com

Towards local self-government in Macedonia: local government elected officials and staff from the Kicevo region discuss issues that transcend municipal boundaries.

Project Partners

	Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje
	Zels (Association of Municipalities of Macedonia)
	Ministry of Local Self Government
	Ministry of Transport and Communication
	Municipalities of Kicevo, Drugovo, Oslomej, Zajas, Vranestica and Plasnica
	GHK International (Canada) Ltd.
	Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
	University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sharing experiences between Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada: Former City of Tuzla Mayor Selim Bešlagic looks on as Kicevo region municipalities map out an action plan for regional infrastructure improvements (Ohrid, Macedonia, Feb 2003)

Background
The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje has initiated the Kicevo Inter-Municipal Cooperation Pilot Project in partnership with the Macedonian Ministry of Local Self Government. The Project supports the country’s Framework Agreement for securing the future of Macedonia's democracy and permitting the development of closer and more integrated relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Euro-Atlantic community. The Agreement focuses on confidence-building measures for the promotion of peace and stability, which invites support from the international community in strengthening local government and implementing the new law on local self-government. Running from June 2002 to December 2003, the pilot project is working with six municipalities in the Macedonian region of Kicevo. The capacity development workshop entitled “In Pursuit of Regional Development Through Inter-Municipal Cooperation” makes a direct contribution to the OSCE-led Kicevo Inter-Municipal Cooperation Pilot Project.

Project Description
The goal is to build the capacity of municipalities in the Kicevo region to improve intermunicipal cooperation and encourage regional development. The objectives of the capacity development initiative are to:

	Share experiences and knowledge in regional development and intermunicipal cooperation between Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada;
	Develop an understanding of the shared issues, challenges and opportunities facing municipalities in the Kicevo region; and
	Develop a joint municipal action plan for pursuing a cooperative municipal project.

Approach
See link to workshop agenda and proceedings

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