Skopje, 24 November 2025 (MIA) – The establishment of the Resource Center for Municipal Development Support is a strategic tool that strengthens the implementation of the National Development Strategy in partnership with UNDP and with Government’s support. This center is not only a new institutional structure. It is a clear proof that Macedonia has been building its future on the foundations of modern management, transparency and efficiency, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Monday at the opening of the Resource Center.

The project, he added, aims at addressing deep systemic challenges through improved management, advanced institutional capacities and sustainable infrastructure development.

“These aren’t technical reforms – it’s the vision of a country that wants to be modern, functional and result-oriented. Good governance is more than administrative functionality. It means institutions with integrity, coordination and accountability both at national and local level. It is within this framework that decentralisation is one of the most crucial pillars. Because strong and functional municipalities create a strong state. When local self-government has knowledge, capacities and resources, it’s the closest to the citizens. It can feel their needs the quickest and most precisely and to offer solutions and create advancing communities,” said the prime minister.

Even though significant efforts were made in the past two decades to develop decentralisation, Mickoski said, it’s yet to reach the level the citizens deserve especially in terms of quality public services, resource management and the creation of conditions for local economic development.

“Local authorities are key for many polities that affect the lives of citizens and they need to be strong, professional and efficient.”

The Resource Center is our joint response to these real challenges, the PM stressed. “The Government through the Ministry of Local Self-Government is creating a mechanism providing the municipalities with strategic support, expertise and instruments for better implementation of decentralisation and equal regional development. Strengthening of municipalities is not an expense, it’s an investment, an investment in better life, sustainable development, stability of local communities and functioning state that knows where it’s headed. Only with strong municipalities can we build Macedonia that not only follows European standards, but also one that experiences them. I want to send a clear message to every mayor – examine the opportunities of the Resouce Center, use the support, ask for expert assistance where challenges exist and where there is lack of capacities. This is not a weakness, it’s wisdom in managing,” stated Mickoski.

This initiative, he added, creates tools, structures and knowledge that will transform our country into a modern, functioning and responsible country.

Minister of Local Self-Government Zlatko Perinski said central and local authorities stand ready to continue working in partnership to allow every municipality to prosper and equal development of Macedonia.

“The government has a program and the Ministry of Local Self-Government work on implementing concrete measures. We’re building a concept of synergy of all resources in the country to be at disposal of the municipalities. The Resource Center is the place that will address the needs of the municipalities, ways for them to be met and a place where expertise will be offered for every new challenge,” stated Perinski.

As part of the program to support the implementation of the National Development Strategy, the government supports 13 key projects, including the Resource Center for Local Development implemented by the Ministry of Local Self-Government. It represents one of the most important pillars in this process, said government secretary general Igor Janushev.

“By opening the Resource Center, we’re laying the foundation of a long-term infrastructure of knowledge,” he stressed.

UNDP has been cooperating with the Ministry of Local Self-Government for years and has been supporting decentralisation, said UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan. Today, he added, the government committed to supporting further decentralisation of central government into local government, which will produce good results, strengthen municipalities, improve public services and stimulate inclusive economic growth.

Swiss Ambassador Christoph Sommer said Switzerland in the past 13 years has been a constant partner supporting decentralisation processes and regional development in Macedonia.

“The added value from our cooperation isn’t only the financial assistance, but also the principles we share: inclusion, transparency, accountability and sustainability. We want to make sure that reforms aren’t only temporary solutions but also permanent transformations that strengthen institutions and people. This Resource Center is a clear example of these values,” said the ambassador.

Skopje University Rector Biljana Angelova, experts, representatives of donor organisations and other state institutions as well as UNDP officials, ministers and mayors attended the event.

Photo: MIA