Macedonia is confronted with major challenges in Solid Waste Management (SWM): present regulations are not being implemented, human capacity is insufficient, waste is disposed on poorly managed dumpsites and the financing is insufficient. The national authorities are therefore asking for support.

SECO is envisaging the financing of a SWM project in the Polog region to support the implementation of the new waste regulation in Polog municipalities and improve the organization of the regional and local waste disposal system. The project is complementary to EU-efforts to establish a SWM framework at regional and local level in Macedonia. The project comprises three components : the elaboration of one regional and nine municipal Waste Management Plans (WMPs) and the provision of some quick-win investments in selected municipalities- the undertaking of preparatory works to refurbish the regional landfill in Rusino and finally the establishment of the organisational and financial set up for the sustainable management of the regional landfill. The project is envisaged as a first step. It should put in place sound framework conditions for further solid waste investments in the Polog Region.

The outcomes of the project include the following:

1)The elaboration of one regional and nine local WMPs, which provide a clear direction towards efficient solid waste management covering the Polog region-

2)The preparatory work for infrastructure investments is ready-

3)The organizational set up and the financing mechanisms for the management of Rusino landfill are established.

Risultati principali attesi:  

Output 1: Regional and Local Waste Management Plans. The project will support the development of the waste management plans (WMPs) for each of the nine municipalities of the Polog region as well as one for the Polog region. Based on the WMPs, improvement measures and capacity building will be provided to selected municipalities.

Output 2: Preparatory Work for infrastructure measures. The project will support the preparation of design and tender documents for short term infrastructure measures, such as site investigations- the preparation of a feasibility study for Rusino landfill sanitization- the environmental and social impact assessment- the construction permit for the landfill site.

Output 3: Organisation and Financing Scheme of Regional SWM Services. The project shall support the organizational setup for the Rusino landfill operations and define a financial scheme to secure the operational costs of regional SWM services.

Fase 1 01.01.2018 - 30.06.2023   (Active)