The governments of Switzerland and Sweden have been long-time supporters of local development in the country through a series of projects and initiatives, some of which are implemented by UNDP. 

"Despite important progress, many challenges remain, such as: competences transferred to the local level have not been accompanied with adequate financial resources or with sufficient human capacities; mechanisms for internal and external control as well as digitization of processes and services are either weak or lacking, contributing to increased vulnerability to corruption. This list seems to be very long, but I also visited municipalities where the situation is much better because the local authorities were committed to improve tax’s collection and budget management, to maintain in key positions professionals having the right competences, to ensure participation and transparency of decision-making processes and embark in the digital transformation," said Véronique Hulmann, Ambassador of Switzerland to North Macedonia. 

Swedish Ambassador, HE Ami Larsson Jain, highlighted the importance of decentralization as a way to enhance citizen participation, strengthen local access to services, manage conflicts and improve accountability and responsiveness at the local level. She highlighted Swedish support towards this end through the support to the Bureau for Regional Development and Ministry of Local Self-Government, implemented by UNDP, and noted that there is a need for the central government to help municipalities strengthen their financial and technical capacity, while providing them with a legal and regulatory framework that is conducive to a sustainable and equitable decentralization process.