The residents of the municipality of Novo Selo in the presence of the President of the State, Stevo Pendarovski, debated and decided which projects are of a greater priority and should be implemented in their local community. Pendarovski, together with the Swiss Ambassador Veronique Hulmann and UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan, attended the third session of the Community Forums, which is being implemented as part of the "Empowering Municipal Councils" programme. President Pendarovski expressed his support for the project and pointed out that the direct participation of citizens in the decision-making processes in the municipalities and the policies that directly affect them contribute to strengthening local democracy.   

“The participation of citizens in the decision-making processes in their municipalities is key to the development of democracy at the local level and represents the best way to channel the needs and desires of citizens. Or as they say, nothing for the citizens, without the citizens.  There is no real progress, without local progress. Without the participation of citizens, first in their communities, and then in the wider social processes, we cannot talk about democracy and a developed civic state. If the processes do not start from the bottom to the top, from the basis towards the top, then it is clear that politicians cannot make any changes because they will not have the support of the citizens," said President Pendarovski, stressing the importance of having young people involved and participating in these processes.