Skopje, 28 July 2021 (MIA) – Minister of Local Self-Government Goran Milevski signed on Wednesday agreements on co-funding of cross-border cooperation projects with Bulgaria and Kosovo. Funds were provided by the IPA Cross Border Cooperation Programme, while national co-funding amounting to 15% of project costs, a mandatory precondition for using EU funds, standing at EUR 337,000, was provided by the Ministry of Local Self-Government. “This is the Ministry of Local Self-Government’s way to encourage potential applicants to enter cross-border cooperation partnerships and set up projects beneficial for the country and residents of border regions, to ensure the country makes the most use of EU funds at its disposal. Eight projects are set to be funded by the cross-border cooperation programme with Bulgaria and four with Kosovo. The former stand at total value of EUR 2.7 million, while the latter EUR 900,000,” Milevski said. He underlined that 100 projects have been implemented with the assistance of pre-accession IPA funds within the Bulgarian programme during the IPA 1 programme period and 73 during the IPA 2 period. The Kosovo programme launched later, resulting in implementation of 12 projects with partners from that country. Milevski stressed that NGOs and the civil society used to be in charge of fund approval, but after boosting capacities, municipalities, planning regions and public enterprises are now tasked with approving funds. “The Ministry is at the disposal of municipalities and public enterprises for assistance in drafting application documents. We’re prepared to launch the process of authorizing the Ministry to take over managing the IPA 3 programme for cross-border cooperation with Albania and Kosovo, which are currently managed by the EU Delegations in Skopje and Pristina, respectively. Hopefully, the process will start soon, as North Macedonia has experience with the IPA 1 and 2 programs and the capacity to carry out responsibilities and it deserves to take over managing these programs,” Milevski told the press briefing. Agreements were signed Wednesday with the mayors of the municipalities of Karbinci, Berovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Gazi Baba and Shtip, as well as with the centers for development of the south-east and north-east planning region, two public enterprises from Makedonska Kamenica and Kumanovo, as well as Makedonska Kamenica’s Environmental Association and Skopje’s Foundation for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises.