Skopje, 6 August 2021 – The Municipalities of Kumanovo, Gostivar, Bitola, Ohrid, Gevgelija, Kocani, Veles and Kriva Palanka are selected to participate in the second phase of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) within the Direct and Open Public Calls to local governments from the seven planning regions: East, North-east, Pelagonija, Polog, South-east, South-west and Vardar region. ReLOaD2 project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP.

The selected municipalities will be the primary recipients of financial assistance and technical support of the project team that will enhance the capacities of municipalities and civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realisation of local priorities in line with development strategies. The municipalities will be assisted in the introduction and institutionalization of transparent mechanisms for financing CSOs from municipals’ budgets, which will ensure increased civic participation in decision-making processes and provision of public services.

The selected partner municipalities will have the chance to utilize grants in the amount of over 900,000 US dollars for the purpose of financing CSO projects of public interest that are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the following period, the ReLOaD2 project team will work with the local officials in implementing activities such as capacity building trainings to ensure full transparency in future funding of civil society from local budgets. The project will also promote youth engagement and support the implementation of youth initiatives to improve their economic perspectives on the territories of partner local governments.

For more information about the ReLOaD2, click here.