The action is relevant to the global objective of the programme as its main goal is to promote cooperation between people, communities and institutions of the bordering areas, aiming to foster economic development and social cohesion in a sustainable manner. The action will promote socio-economic development through facilitation of traditional trade and socio-economic regeneration of the tourist and cultural potential in the municipalities of Cair and Gjilan.

The action additionally will have an immediate cross-border impact, as it will support cross-border municipal efforts (Municipality of Cair and Municipality of Gjilan) to back small traditional businesses and social entrepreneurs (all part of the newly promoted social economy on EU level). By establishing business support infrastructure, in liaison with business platforms and CSOs, the municipalities on both sides of the border will prepare to undertake further obligations in support of the local economic development along with added value: increased equal opportunities for micro craftsmen and social entrepreneurs; equal participation of vulnerable groups, positive environmental sustainability and collaborative approach: municipality – CSO - business sector.

The planned results are:

• Identified and promoted min. 100 craftsmen and social entrepreneurs on both sides of the border;
• Advised min. 500 traditional craftsmen & social entrepreneurs and Promote values of traditional craftsmen and social entrepreneurship for the local economy.

The purpose of this project is to stimulate the economy of the region through strengthening eco (alternative and rural) tourism to become an economic driver, considerable factor for conservation and balanced utilization of natural and anthropogenic resources and a significant prerequisite for sustainable social, cultural and economic development and enhancement of the livelihood of the communities of both municipalities.

The action will deliver Project Management System, Project Communication - Development and implementation of the communication - visibility plan and tools for communicating the project with the beneficiaries and the wider public by promoting small scale infrastructure investment in touristic resources in Municipality of Gostivar - Construction of a Hiking Trail, Info Booth and a Rest Point, construction of four (4) Hiking Trails and four Rest Points in Municipality of Dragash and small scale infrastructure investment in touristic resources – Reconstruction of the facility and Establishment of a Tourist Information Centre in Dragash

All the above activities will be furthered by feasibility study for promotion of eco-tourism in the Municipality of Gostivar – mapping the touristic potentials of the areas within the Municipality of Gostivar in order to explore the possibilities for creation of an integrated regional touristic offer, and conducting a study for mapping the bio-diversity of the River of Vardar - mapping the biodiversity (floral and animal) of the Vardar River for the purposes of promotion of eco-tourism.

Residents from this cross-border region shall benefit from this project. Approximately 27.805 in Likova and 60.000 in Vitia, will gain access to cultural facilities and will have chance to utilize and enjoy the project outcomes.

The activities will be implemented as combination of infrastructural interventions and soft activities. The key activities of the action are: Establishing coordination between project teams and stakeholder groups.

Reconstruction/equipment of the library in v. Matejce (Likova)/ Modernisation of the cinema in Vitia , organizing 3-day workshop for 20 members of the joint SG in “Drafting and managing EU funded projects”; 2-day workshop “Developing mode for sustainable cultural development”; 2-day workshop for Developing action plans for functioning of the Cultural centers in Likova and Vitia;Organising3 official ceremonies: Opening of the library in Likova/Opening modernized cinema in Vitia/ Fair for promotion of local traditions and heritage; Creating/publishing: “Best practices in drafting and managing EU funded projects” “Sustainable solutions for promoting local cultures and traditional artisans”; sub-granting of 10 NGOs; Producing/disseminating visibility materials: Website project

The action visibility will be done through promotion material such as project banners, project leaflet, project fact sheet, producing documentary on cultural heritage and organizing closing events in both municipalities.

The action is seen as support to small-scale infrastructure interventions and purchase of equipment, joint capacity building actions including exchange of good practices and implementation of joint activities that will have long-term impact on both sides of the border.

This action aims to raise awareness on prevention of HIV transmission and drug prevention among most-at-risk population in target municipalities; promoting partnership between the civil and public sector in establishing sustainable HIV prevention mechanisms; and promoting cross-border co-operation between local institutions and organizations from bordering areas of Macedonia and Kosova as valuable tool for exchange of best practices and achieving long-term results on regional level.

The target groups of the action are: the most–at-risk population (drug users, sex workers, sexual minorities, prisoners, adolescents); CSO working with most-at-risk population; municipalities, relevant authorities (centres for social care, centres for public health, hospitals, and prisons).

The project will be implemented in municipalities of City of Shkup/Skopje, Tetova, Kumanova, Gostivar in Macedonia and municipalities of Prishtina, Gjilan, Prizren and Kacanik in Kosova whereby activities will be focused on raising awareness on prevention of drug use in the municipalities of Prishtina, Gjilan, Prizren and Kacanik in Kosova, promoting partnership between the civil and public sector in establishing sustainable HIV and drug prevention mechanisms; and promoting cross-border co-operation between local institutions and organizations from bordering areas of Macedonia and Kosova as valuable tool for exchange of best practices and achieving long-term results on regional level.

The action has been implemented by a series of activities that produced both immediate (short-term) results and long-term results as well. In general, there will be four types of results produced from the action, namely, capacities of women organizations in the project area (both management and technical/thematic) will be raised; quality of data improved and dissemination of the same is done more effectively; exchange of experiences and networking across borders to addressing common concerns will be facilitated; practical tools for day-to-day operations such as the manual on gender policies at EU level will be produced and utilized at both central and local advocacy initiatives. In the long run, the action is expected to strengthen the women rights agenda both in Kosova and Macedonia and reduce capacity differences between center and periphery organizations.

Increased capacities through technical training, and improved operations as a direct consequence of mentoring and coaching, will inevitably lead to greater capability of local women organizations in the project-covered areas to effectively promote equality and gender mainstreaming as a social norm and legal standard. Improved networking, visibility and improved skills for monitoring and advocacy combined with the online Portal on Women and Gender will provide beneficiary women organizations with the much needed support to make meaningful impact in their respective communities and consequently also improve the aspects advocated for at national level.

The activities will be implemented in Prizren, Suhareka, Malisheva, Dragash, Rahovec, and Mamusha in Kosova and in Municipalities of Gostivar, Vrapciste, Mavrovo and Rostusa, Tetova, Bogovinë, Bërvenica, Zhelina, Jegunovce, and Tearce.

The action established a “live” network of academics and practitioners on cooperative transboundary learning for ecosystem management, aiming on the long term at the sustainable management of the natural resources and securing ecosystem services necessary for a good life in Sharr mountan cross-border region.

Additionally the actions build up the capacity and strengthen cooperation among students and shared experiences between higher education institutions of Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Target groups of the action are the Universities, conservation management authorities, local governmental authorities, NGOs, private sector, business communities.

Overall objective: Establishment of a ‘live’ network of academics and practitioners on cooperative transboundary learning for ecosystem management, aiming on the long term at the sustainable management of the natural resources and securing ecosystem services necessary for a good life in the Sharr mountain cross-border region.

Specific objectives:

• Building up capacity, strengthening cooperation and exchange students and experiences between higher education institutions of Kosovo, Macedonia and further partners in Europe for cooperative transboundary ecosystem management.
• Creating a win-win-situation by enhancing cooperation between universities, conservation authorities, stakeholders and NGOs active in the target region integrating real life examples into teaching.

Activities:

• Coordination meetings; Development of new curricula modules;
• Development, training and implementation of joint study courses for ecosystem management;
• Joint trainings on delivering project proposals and implementing high quality project management;
• Multiple-team workshop on adaptive management;
• European meeting of universities teaching adaptive management;
• Project management and coordination

The action established a “live” network of academics and practitioners on cooperative transboundary learning for ecosystem management, aiming on the long term at the sustainable management of the natural resources and securing ecosystem services necessary for a good life in Sharr mountan cross-border region.

Additionally the actions build up the capacity and strengthen cooperation among students and shared experiences between higher education institutions of Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Target groups of the action are the Universities, conservation management authorities, local governmental authorities, NGOs, private sector, business communities.

Overall objective: Establishment of a ‘live’ network of academics and practitioners on cooperative transboundary learning for ecosystem management, aiming on the long term at the sustainable management of the natural resources and securing ecosystem services necessary for a good life in the Sharr mountain cross-border region.

Specific objectives:

• Building up capacity, strengthening cooperation and exchange students and experiences between higher education institutions of Kosovo, Macedonia and further partners in Europe for cooperative transboundary ecosystem management.
• Creating a win-win-situation by enhancing cooperation between universities, conservation authorities, stakeholders and NGOs active in the target region integrating real life examples into teaching.

Activities:

• Coordination meetings; Development of new curricula modules;
• Development, training and implementation of joint study courses for ecosystem management;
• Joint trainings on delivering project proposals and implementing high quality project management;
• Multiple-team workshop on adaptive management;
• European meeting of universities teaching adaptive management;
• Project management and coordination