Around 30 citizens from Kriva Palanka, Kratovo and Rankovce participated in the second forum session of the Regional Forum, organised under the project "Local Initiatives for Strengthening Participatory Democracy", which is implemented by the Regional Sustainable Development Centre from Kratovo, in partnership with the Regional Center for Cooperation "Spektar" from Kriva Palanka.
At this forum session, which was held in Kriva Palanka, a dialogue was opened between citizens, civil society organisations and representatives of institutions, with the aim of jointly defining local priorities and initiating concrete solutions to common problems.
"Citizens are not only users of services, they are also bearers of ideas and collaborators in policy creation. Therefore, it is crucial that the citizen voice is heard throughout the entire process of local decision-making and adoption of local development plans", emphasized the project coordinator Miloš Dimitrovski.
The session focused on identifying civic priorities in key thematic areas: public utilities, local economic development, culture and tourism, and social services, selected on the basis of previous research thus reflecting the real needs of the citizens in the region. Through an interactive approach and thematic working groups, participants identified the most pressing challenges: improving access to clean water, efficient public services, preserving the environment, and stimulating local economic development.
“In this forum session, we were asked, included, and supported to articulate the problems we face every day, such as water supply, public transportation, youth migration, better social services for the elderly and vulnerable, or to offer suggestions that stem from our experience,” said Angelina Gjoshevska from the Red Cross Society of Kriva Palanka.
The participants particularly welcomed the willingness of the civil society organisations and the municipalities to work together with citizens and integrate their ideas into local programs and budgets. Kriva Palanka was particularly highlighted as an open and transparent municipality, having signed a memorandum of cooperation within the project and regularly organizing independent budget forums.
“The feeling that your proposal can become part of a municipal program or budget gives you motivation to become active. Such forums show that true democracy begins right here, discussing together specific needs, but also the possibilities for their realization,” emphasized Zorica Dimitrovska from Kratovo.
Citizens openly expressed their concern for the future of young people in local communities, faced with limited opportunities, emigration and unemployment. They demanded greater attention from municipalities and more space for young people in decision-making at the local level.
“For us, young people, events like this are a chance for someone to really ask us what we think and what we want to change. We need more forums like this, in schools, municipalities, local communities, where young people can get involved, make suggestions, debate. We need space and support to become drivers of real change,” said Nikola Mitovski, a member of the Youth Council of Kriva Palanka.
Through joint work, the participants supplemented the list of priorities in the 4 municipalities involved: Kriva Palanka, Kratovo, Rankovce and Staro Nagoricane. They also agreed to develop a regional list of civic needs, which will be submitted to the municipalities and their implementation will be monitored in the coming period.
"We hope that the municipalities will listen to our priorities, which will influence local development, better and more realistic programs, and in this way we will also build mutual trust and transparency," said Blagica Stojcevska from the Pensioners' Association of Kriva Palanka.
The third forum session remains, which will be held on 3th July 2025 in Kratovo, where participants will prioritize and highlight key priorities, which they will submit to local governments.
The regional forum continues to be an important tool for strengthening democratic culture and local cooperation, which encourages active involvement of citizens in local governance processes and improving the quality of life in communities.
The project "Local Initiatives for Strengthening Participatory Democracy" is implemented by the Association Regional Sustainable Development Centre Kratovo, in partnership with the Regional Center for Cooperation Spektar, Kriva Palanka, received as a subgrant under the project "EU Support to Civil Society Resource Centre - Phase 2" funded by the European Union.
