Skopje, 15 July 2025 (MIA) - First Deputy PM and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti, European Union Ambassador Michalis Rokas and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) representative Biljana Milosheska signed Tuesday a grant agreement as part of the regional project on solid waste management, funded through the European Western Balkans Joint Fund.

The grant, worth up to EUR 2 million, is intended for feasibility studies and environmental and social impact analyses for the Vardar and Southeast regions.

Deputy PM Mexhiti said this is a key prerequisite for activation of the second tranche of the project, for the purpose of drafting project documents and construction of the required infrastructure.

"This phase is a continuation of the first tranche, which is already realized in the Pelagonija, Polog and Southwest regions. The second tranche includes the construction of a regional landfill in the Vardar and Southeast regions by European standards, closure of the existing non-regulated landfills, construction of transfer stations, procurement of vehicles for waste collection and transport, landfill management machinery," said Mexhiti.

Ambassador Rokas said solid waste management is a burning issue that requires action, in order to improve the quality of life and transform the environment.

"We provide the assistance, from a financial and expertise standpoint, so you can overcome these problems, along with the EUR 50 million of IPA funds we have allocated for the project," said Rokas.

According to him, preservation of North Macedonia's natural beauties requires committed and rigorous fight against solid waste on a national and local level, adding "this is just the beginning of EU's financial support for the country in the field of environment and waste management".

EBRD's Milosheska said the project represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future of the country.

"This is the bank's first initiative in the sector, supporting the implementation of waste management systems aligned with EU standards, for more than one million people in three planning regions encompassing 45 municipalities," underlined Milosheska.

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