Skopje, 11 May 2023 (MIA) - Better collaboration between local governments and civil society is the goal of the programmes of 45 organizations, which were presented at Europe Opera House in Skopje on Wednesday. The programmes presented are based on the principle of transparent financing, and their implementation is within the framework of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2- ReLOaD2.

The start of the second phase of the project was also announced at the event, which was attended by EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, David Geer, and Armen Grigoryan, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"Very often I am meeting here to tell you about large infrastructure projects in the big ways in which we are helping the country. But today I am very happy to talk about something which is very local and close to local citizens," said Geer.

He informed that this project is part of the Regional Development Programme that applies across the Western Balkans, financed by EU and implemented by UNDP, it is intended to support local initiatives involving partnerships civil society organizations which are the ones who are closest to the citizens, and local authorities.

"Today we will be hearing from representatives from 45 civil organizations about the practical things that they have been doing in 8 cities in North Macedonia. These organizations have been involved with a number of activities, whether it's scouting, building bicycle lanes falling within the green deal, dealing with peer violence, and a wide range of activities, and I am sure that you will enjoy listening to the accounts, what they are doing and how they are working to make a difference to citizens' lives," noted the Ambassador.

UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan emphasized that the second phase of the project has begun.

"I am very pleased to be here today to announce the second phase of the project implemented by UNDP, financed by EU and co-financed by UNDP, this is already the second phase," stated Grigoryan. ssh/sk/

Фото: МИА архива