WITH THE SWISS SUPPORT MUNICIPALITY OF OHRID IS NOW MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE CITIZENS

Ohrid, 19th November, 2020 – As of today, the Municipality of Ohrid is more accessible to all thanks to the involvement of citizens through Community Forums organized within the project “Empowering Municipal Councils”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Municipality of Ohrid. Today, the Ambassador of Switzerland, Sibil Suter and the UNDP Resident Representative, Narine Sahakyan, visited Ohrid to see the results of this project and also held a meeting with the Mayor of Ohrid, Konstantin Georgieski, and the President of the Council, Zhivka Angeloska. The cooperation between the Government of Switzerland, UNDP and the Municipality of Ohrid in advancing the decentralization process and strengthening the capacity of the municipality for accountable and transparent operation, as well as further opportunities for citizen involvement in decision-making processes related to local development were discussed in the meeting.

During 2018, the citizens of the Municipality of Orchid through four forum sessions decided to give priority to the initiative “Easier access for better municipal services and civic involvement” aimed at improving the accessibility of the municipal building.

“The project is funded by the Swiss Embassy in the Republic of North Macedonia with a total budget of 50,000 Swiss francs. With the implementation of the project, the entrance stairs leading to the big municipal hall were reconstructed. A hydraulic elevator platform for people with physical disabilities was installed and the large municipal hall was completely renovated and equipped. This provides easier access for better municipal services. The hall was also internally decorated with new lighting, sound system and furniture. This provides more appropriate conditions for the work of municipal councilors, but also for all citizens and associations that use the hall for different needs” – said the mayor of Ohrid, Konstantin Georgieski.

“The project was selected by several working groups, which included representatives of the Municipal Council of Ohrid, the municipal administration, representatives of the non-governmental and business sector. The main topic of the Forum was social inclusion, while the purpose of the Forum sessions was to propose and identify priority projects that can contribute to this social area. The citizens themselves proposed and ranked the projects. This project is very important, because for the first time in the Municipality of Ohrid a Community Forum was organized”, added Zhivka Angeloska, the Head of the  Municipal Council of Ohrid.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation supports the empowering of municipal councils in 24 municipalities across the country with a total of 3.5 million francs, as key bodies for the development of participatory democracy and transparent and accountable municipal work.

„Empowering the municipal councils project enables our constant involvement in the decentralization of power by supporting the municipal councils and their improvement in terms of oversight, legislative and representative roles. “As a result of this project, citizens will have easier access to information, while municipal representatives will better understand the needs of the public,” explained the Swiss ambassador Sibil Suter during her visit to Ohrid.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation “Empowering Municipal Councils” project is implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations and the Program’s priorities in the country, including strengthening of local development and self-government.

“UNDP actively supports the improvement of governance in North Macedonia because the widespread effects of good governance have a positive impact on the economy, the environment and the society as a whole. “If the authorities and the citizens remain committed to mutual co-operation, as they have shown they are capable of through these Community forums, I believe the country will emerge from the pandemic crisis in a much better condition than before.” – added UNDP Resident Representative Narine Sahakyan.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Local Self-Government, the Ministry of Finance, ZELS, the Association of Financial Workers and the UN Body for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). To date, a series of activities to strengthen the capacity of councilors and their networking, to improve the transparency and accountability of municipalities through the application of innovative tools, and to increase civic participation in decision-making at the local level have been implemented through the project. Starting from 2018, a total of 108 forum sessions were held within 24 forum processes throughout the country, attended by over 6,900 citizens, residents of selected municipalities. So far, priority initiatives have been fully implemented in nine municipalities, while the implementation of initiatives selected through the Community Forums in additional 15 municipalities that are part of the project “Empowering Municipal Councils” is underway.

Switzerland has been supporting North Macedonia in its political, social and economic transition since 1992. The current goal of the Swiss country programme is to improve the quality of life of citizens in North Macedonia by strengthening democratic institutions and practices, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and protecting natural resources. Switzerland adds value through expertise, funds and constructive engagement with its long-term partners in North Macedonia. Today Switzerland ranks among the largest bilateral cooperation partners of North Macedonia and remains committed to the stability and prosperity of the region.