The municipalities of Bitola, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kocani, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Ohrid, and Veles have been selected to participate in the second phase of the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans  (ReLOaD2) in North Macedonia.

The selected municipalities will be the primary recipients of financial assistance and technical support for this project. The project aims to enhance the capacities of municipalities and civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and implementation of local priorities in line with municipal development strategies. Municipalities will be assisted in the introduction and institutionalisation of transparent mechanisms for financing CSOs from municipal budgets, which will ensure increased civic participation in decision-making processes and provision of public services.

The ReLOaD2 project team will work with local officials in implementing activities such as capacity building training to ensure full transparency in future funding of civil society from local budgets. The project will also promote youth engagement and support the implementation of youth initiatives to improve local economic perspectives.

The ReLOaD2 project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.