The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing the ReLOaD3 Programme in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Montenegro, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia. ReLOaD3 started on 1 February 2025, and over the next four years, the Programme aims to strengthen participatory democracy and the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU by empowering civil society to actively participate in decision-making processes and by improving the legal and financial environment for civil society organizations (CSOs). The Programme, valued regionally at 13 million USD, is funded by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance – Civil Society Facility. The component for North Macedonia is valued at 1.4 million USD.

All municipalities that have not participated in the previous phases of the ReLOaD Programme are invited to express interest in participating in ReLOaD3. Through this public call, four partner municipalities will be selected to receive support and further develop transparent funding mechanisms for civil society organizations’ projects.

Application Submission and Deadlines

The conditions for application and selection criteria for partner municipalities are described in the Guidelines for Applicants (Group 2). All documents, which are an integral part of the application, are published on the website: www.mk.undp.org. The public call is open from 14 April - 14 May 2025.

Information sessions for the public call will be held via the ZOOM platform on 22 April and 30 April 2025, and additional information about these sessions will be published on the UNDP’s website.

Calendar of Information Sessions:

As part of the public call for Expressions of Interest from Municipalities to participate in the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3) in North Macedonia, the links for the information sessions on the 22 April are available on the following links:

Topic: First info session (Group 1) - direct call for municipalities ReLOaD3

Time: Apr 22, 2025 09:30 AM Belgrade, Bratislava, Ljubljana

Join Zoom Meeting

https://undp.zoom.us/j/86139038826?pwd=3FO8xwlHAl3dvBImnVfZf4RzM6T8dd.1

Meeting ID: 861 3903 8826

Passcode: 671004

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Topic: First info session (Group 2) - Public call for municipalities ReLOaD3

Time: Apr 22, 2025 12:00 PM Belgrade, Bratislava, Ljubljana

Join Zoom Meeting

https://undp.zoom.us/j/82686694710?pwd=Z4ixj2G28VLUan53ZZafZqjDEab2RF.1

Meeting ID: 826 8669 4710

Passcode: 063778

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The link to the second info session on 30 April 2025 (Wednesday) between 12:00-13:30 is available bellow:

Topic: Second info session (Group 2) ReLOaD3

Time: Apr 30, 2025 12:00 PM Belgrade, Bratislava, Ljubljana

Join Zoom Meeting

https://undp.zoom.us/j/86847781099?pwd=c8IibHoRyZBP7aclmVbKmRoTVS8zR6.1

Meeting ID: 868 4778 1099

Passcode: 140033

The application documentation must be submitted in one (1) original hard copy and one electronic copy (USB) in a sealed envelope via registered mail, courier service, or in person to the following address:

UNDP North Macedonia
Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3)
Jordan Hadji-Konstantinov Dzinot 23,
1000 Skopje

The deadline for submission of applications is 14 May 2025, by 17:00. Applications submitted by mail must bear a postal stamp confirming the application was sent before the official deadline. Applications submitted by other means (e.g., fax or e-mail) or after the official deadline will not be considered for evaluation.

For additional information or clarification, potential applicants may send a request with the subject line “ReLOaD3 Project” to registry.mk@undp.org. Questions may be submitted up to five days before the application deadline. Responses will be provided by email within three working days of receipt.

Additionally, interested parties can download the documentation:

1. Application form Group 2 ReLOaD3
2. Guidelines for applicants Group 2 ReLOaD3
3. Annex 1 Letter of intent group 2 ReLOaD3
4. Annex 2 Scoring Matrix Group 2 ReLOaD3
5. Announcement Group 2 Final
6. LOD Methodology Alb Final
7. LOD Methodology MK Final

* For the European Union, all references to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with Resolution 1244 (1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. For the United Nations, references to Kosovo shall be understood in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).