Programmes

Management of the programme

IPA 2014-2020 programme will be implemented in direct management and the European Union Office in Kosovo will be the Contracting Authority for this programme.

The CBC bodies coordinating the programming and implementation process on the respective sides of the border are the Ministry for Local Government Administration, Kosovo and the Ministry of Local Self-Government, the North Macedonia.

The JTS is located in Prishtina, Kosovo and the Antenna Office in Skopje, North Macedonia.

PRIORITIES 

OVERWIEW of the Programme 

SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAMME 

The programme for cross-border cooperation between Kosovo and the North Macedonia will be implemented under the framework of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II). IPA II supports cross-border cooperation with a view to promoting good neighborly relations, fostering union integration and promoting socio-economic development. 

The legal provisions for its implementation are stipulated in the following pieces of legislation: 

• Regulation (EU) No 231/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II); 
• Regulation (EU) No 236/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 laying down common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union’s instruments for financing external action; 
• Commission Implementing Regulation EU no 447/2014 of 2 May 2014 on the specific rules for implementing the IPA II regulation. 

The programme eligible area includes five regions (equivalent to NUTS III): the East and South Economic Regions in Kosovo, and Skopje, Polog and the Northeast Region in the NorthMacedonia (including altogether 1 430 settlements) covering an area of 10 852 km2, where live a population of 1 800 000 inhabitants. 

The cross border area is quite homogeneous in terms of geographical features, as well as social and economic development characteristics. The population growth tendency is declining. The young population is composing a large group of the population ranging from 25-30%. Migration has been one of the most concerning issues of the last decade, which has impacted the labour force (in particular in the rural areas). 

The cross border area is rich in various natural resources which represent an important asset for economic and tourism development. The area is becoming more and more attractive for foreign investors, whose direct investments are playing an important role on the economic development of the border area. Trade relations between both IPA II beneficiaries have shown an increasing trend over the years. The SMEs are dominating the economic activities in almost all sectors, while large enterprises constitute a small number of economic entities. 

The business sector is developing but suffering from various problems, such as low labour productivity, lack of labour market skills to cope with new technologies and innovation capacities. Although there is a wide range of higher education institutions in the area, the level of research and development (R&D) activity is very limited. Knowledge transfer should take place both locally and across the border, as well as between different sectors. The programme area is rich in natural resources, but deforestation, land and air pollution, and waste management problems are causing environmental problems and impacting the health of the population. Sustainable development, through efficient and effective use of resources, is one of the big challenges for the programme area.

Te PROGRAMME AREA 

Map of the programme AREA 

The eligible bordering area for the IPA Cross-Border Programme between Kosovo and the NorthMacedonia includes five regions.

The Kosovo part of the programme area includes two economic regions and 17 municipalities with a total of 529 settlements: 

• East Economic Region (eligible area), is composed of the municipalities of Gjilan/Gnjilane, Kamenicë/Kamenica, Viti/Vitina, Novo Bërdë/Novo Brdo, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Kaçanik/Kačanik, Shtërpcë/Štrpce, Hani i Elezit/Elez Han, Ranillug/Ranilug2, Partesh/Parteš3 and Kllokot/Klokot

• South Economic Region (eligible area), is composed of the municipalities of Prizren, Suharekë/Suva Reka, Malishevë/Mališevo, Dragash/Dragaš, Rahovec/Orahovac, and Mamusha/Mamuša. 

The eligible area of the NorthMacedonia includes three Regions: the Polog, Northeast and Skopje Regions. It consists of 32 municipalities plus the city of Skopje including 518 settlements (six towns and 512 villages): 

• Polog Region (eligible area) includes 9municipalities: Bogovinje, Brvenitsa, Gostivar, Jegunovtse, Mavrovo and Rostusha, Teartse, Tetovo, Vrapchishte, and Zhelino. 

• Northeast Region (eligible area) includes 6municipalities: Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Rankovtse and Staro Nagorichane. 

• Skopje Region (eligible area) includes 17 municipalities: Arachinovo, Chucher-Sandevo, Ilinden, Petrovets, Sopishte, Studenichani, and Zelenikovo. The City of Skopje is an administrative unit and also includes 10 municipalities: Aerodrom, Butel, Chair, Centar, Gazi Baba, Gjorche Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari. 

The entire programme area has a total surface of 10,852 km2, of which 60.25% represents the area of the NorthMacedonia and 39.75% the area of Kosovo. The total population of the programme area is 1,851,965 inhabitants, representing 47.76 % of the total population of both, Kosovo and the NorthMacedonia. 40.4% of the programme area population lives in Kosovo and 59.6% lives in the NorthMacedonia.