Brussels, 5 July 2023 (MIA) - The association of North Macedonia to EU's LIFE programme for environment and climate change is an opportunity to strengthen our joint action to tackle climate change, address pollution, boost the clean energy transition, achieve a circular economy, and protect and restore biodiversity, said EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.

"Closer cooperation will benefit citizens, businesses, and civil society in North Macedonia, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable continent in line with the European Green Deal objectives," Sinkevičius added. 

Commissioner Sinkevičius and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Kaja Shukova, jointly signed on Monday an agreement on North Macedonia’s accession to the LIFE programme for environment and climate.

According to the European Commission, public and private organisations from North Macedonia will be able to receive financial support for projects on environment and climate action, such as for example to increase energy efficiency, clean polluted areas, improve the management of water resources, and support the development, monitoring and enforcement of laws similar to the ones in EU.

North Macedonia is the fourth non-EU country to join the programme after Iceland, Ukraine and Moldova.

By joining the LIFE programme, North Macedonia will have the opportunity to benefit from LIFE's support for mobilising public and private resources for climate action, biodiversity protection, circular economy and clean energy transition. Applicants from North Macedonia can submit proposals under the LIFE calls for proposals launched in 2023. 

After the signing of the agreement on Monday, Minister Shukova said access to these financial mechanisms of the EU will be ensured for the first time, which will open up new opportunities for applying for projects and will enable better social involvement in the implementation of European policies for managing global challenges and implementing common goals for a healthier and less polluted environment, better protected nature and biodiversity, and a decarbonized future.

For participation in the LIFE programme, the Government through the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning will provide funds amounting to €1,327,990 distributed over five years, from 2023 to 2027, said the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning. 

Photo: MIA archive