Skopje, 18 September 2023 (MIA) – Through the “Energy Efficient Region” project, the Municipality of Radovish will save in terms of energy expenses, which in the end, should be felt as a benefit by the citizens because the saved funds can be reallocated for the improvement of other services, said Minister of Local Self-Government Risto Penov at Monday’s presentation of the digital component from the grant scheme of the “Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development” project.

The project is being implemented by the Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region, with financial support from the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Swiss Government.

“The project is worth Mden 22.9 million. Most of the funds, or Mden 11 million are from the budget of the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Mden 9 million have been provided by the Swiss Government, while the municipalities of Radovish, Konche and Vasilevo are participating in the project with Mden 3 million,” said Penov.

The Minister said the Government has taken maximum efforts to protect the citizens by subsidizing electricity bills, “as a result of which,” he said, “the citizens did not feel the price shock.”

“In that sense, any initiative by the municipalities which represents a step forward towards the creation of conditions for greater use of renewable sources of energy for their own needs is welcome. We are convinced with this project the municipality will save in terms of energy expenses, which in the end, should be felt as a benefit by the citizens because the saved funds can be reallocated for the improvement of other services. Then it is up to the mayor and the local administration on how they will manage the project and the citizens’ funds in the future,” added the Minister.

Through the Bureau for Regional Development, the Ministry of Local Self-Government annually finances over 100 projects for the development of regions, municipalities, villages, and specific areas. 

Photo: Ministry of Local Self-Government