UNUVERSITY Ss CYRIL AND

METHODIUS IN SKOPJE
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES IN
ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCES
ENGINEERING STUDIES

SURVEY
ON

MACEDONIAS NATIONAL
CAPACITY NEEDS FOR GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SKOPJE, March 2011

CONTENT
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

I.

Introduction

1.1. Environmental problems in the FYR of Macedonia

I.2. Basic weaknesses in solving the environme ntal problems
I.3. Measures for overcoming the weaknesses in solving
the problems in the environment

6
6

Country Framework

II.

II.1
II.2
II.3
II.4
II.5

Physical Geography
Relief and Soils
Hydrography
Climate
Demographic Frame work

9
31
31
32
32

III.

Climate Change

IV.

Land Degradation and Desertification

V.

Strategy and Action Plan for Environmental

Capacity Development

37

V.1.
V.2.
V.3.

37
40
42

VI.

Environmental Capacity Constraints

Opportunities for Environmental Capacity Building
Macedonias Environme ntal Strategy and Action Plan

33
35

Past, Present and Future Projects in the Environmental Sector

43

VI.1

Second National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP-2)

43

VI.2

Strengthening the Capacity of the MEPP (CMEPP)

43

VI.3

National Plan and Feasibility Studies for Solid Waste Management

43

VI.4

Second National Communication of the Republic of Macedonia

towards the Climate Change Convention

44

VI.5

National Strategy on Biodiversity

44

VI.6

Protection of the Natural Lakes

44

VI.7

Other international technical and financial assistance

45

VI.8

Possible Future Projects

46

VI.8.1 National Policy

46

VI.8.2 Legal and regulatory frame work

47

VI.8.3 Incentive systems and economic and market instruments

47

VI.8.4 National and International Funding

47

VI.8.5 Technology Transfer

48

VI.8.6 Institutional mandate, manage ment capacity and performance

48

VI.8.7 Monitoring and Data Management

49

VI.8.8 Public Awareness and Education

49

VI.8.9 Scientific Expertise

49

VII. Conclusions

50

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CARDS
CBD
CDM
DEREC
EE
EIA
FNC
GEF
GHG
GIS
HBI
HMA
IPPC
IUCN
JEP
LEAP
LG
LSG
MAFWE
ME
MEPP
MES
NAP
NCSA
NCSP
NEAP
NGO
OECD
PHARE
PHPI
PWE
PWEE
RES
RIHP
SEI
SEPA
SNC
SSO
TNA
UNCCD
UNDP
UNEP
UNESCO
UNFCCC
UNIDO

Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilization

Convention on Biological Diversity
Clean Development Mechanism
Development of Environmental and Resources Engineering Curriculum
Energy Efficiency
Environmental Impact Assessment
First National Communication on Climate Change to UNFCCC
Global Environment Facility
GreenHouse Gases
Geographic Information System
Hydrobiological Institute
Hydro-Meteorological Administration
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Joint European Project
Local Environmental Action Plan
Units of the Local (Municipal) Government
Local Self-Government
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy
Ministry of Economy
Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning
Ministry of Education and Science
National Action Plan
National Capacity Self- Assessment
National Communication Support Programme
National Environmental Action Plan
Non-Governmental Organizations
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
EU assistance programme for the applicant countries
Public Health Protection Institute
Public Water Economy
Public Water Economy Enterprise
Renewable Energy Sources
Republic Institute for Health Protection
Sector for European Integration within the Government of Macedonia
Strategic Environmental Policy Assessment
Second National Communication to the UNFCCC
State Statistical Office
Technology Needs Assessment
UN Convention to Combat Desertification
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Industrial Development Organization

I.

Introduction

The Survey is based mainly on the results and conclusions of the Macedonias National Capacity
Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA) Project implemented
during the period June 2003 April 2005.
The overall objective of the NCSA project is assessment of the capacities of the Republic of
Macedonia to meet its obligations under the global environmental conventions, in partic ular
those pertaining to biodiversity (UNCBD), climate change (UNFCCC) and desertification/land
degradation (UNCCD). The main goal of the NCSA is identification and analysis of the priorities
on a national level and the capacity development needs relating to the implementation of the
three Rio Conventions.
The project has been steered towards including the global environmental issues within
Macedonias national and local environmental activities and integrating objectives into national
and local strategic planning processes.
The main project outputs are three separate thematic reports in the areas of biodiversity, climate
change and land degradation/desertification, a Cross-cutting Report and the National Capacity
Self- Assessment Report, comprising also the Strategy and Action Plan for Capacity
Development. The reports provide an overview of the current situation in each of the thematic
areas and identification of the priority issues. The common and the cross-cutting issues have
been thoroughly analysed for more efficient use of the resources and achieving synergetic
effects.
Having in mind the general target of the JEP DEREC project, this Study is focused on the NCSA
results and conclusions in the climate change (UNFCCC) and land degradation and
desertification (UNCCD) areas, as well as identification and analysis of the environmental
priorities on a Macedonias national level and the capacity development needs.
The text in this Study is divided as follows:
In the Part II physical geography and demographic framework of Macedonia are briefly
presented.
In the Part III the Climate Change Thematic Issues are presented.
In the Part IV the Land Degradation and Desertification Thematic Issues are presented.
In the Part V the Strategy and Action Plan for Environmental Capacity Development in the
Macedonia are given.
In the Part VI the present and future projects in the environmental sector in Macedonia are listed.
The environmental sector in the FYR of Macedonia is one of the main pillars with regard to the
requirements that should be fulfilled and the standards to be achieved in the process of tracing
the way that will take the FYR of Macedonia into the European union. The significance
attributed to this sector is understandable, because global e nvironmental problems can not
be solved without the participation of all countries, even without active participation of
local communities throughout the world.
5

Having recognized the above facts, the Republic of Macedonia has expressed its readiness
by solving the environmental problems on its own territory to contribute to the mitigation and
solving the global environmental problems and thus to justify its place in the European
Union and improve the quality of life of its citizens.

1.1 Environmental problems in the FYR of Macedonia

Environmental problems in the FYR of Macedonia are similar to those in the other countries
in the region. Numerous problems, identified through different projects, studies and analyses,
can be grouped according to the environmental media and areas of their appearance:

Problems with the waste management (municipal, industrial, hazardous, nonhazardous, radioactive and other types of waste), due to the absence of integrated
system for waste management (organized waste collection, transport, treatment or
disposal at the landfills constructed in accordance with modern standards applicable
for such faciliities);
Problems with the water management including water resources pollution and absence
of integrated effluent water treatment (household and industrial) on the whole territory
of the country;
Air pollution, with different intensity in different parts of the country;
Soil contamination, resulting in contamination of agricultural products with
inadequate quality that originate from the areas with contaminated soils. Particular
problem that applies to all environmental media is the insufficiently developed
environmental monitoring system, with emphasis on the absence of historical data,
based on which the status of the condition of the media would be determined
accurately and actions would be taken towards their progressive mitigation and
elimination.

I.2. Basic weaknesses in solving the environme ntal problems

FYR of Macedonia has a large number of laws and underlaw acts in the environmental area
harmonized with the European union legislation. However, one of the major weakness is the
need for completion of the existing legal frame with the necessary secondary legislation,
aimed at providing the appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and legislation enforcement, as
well as appropriate capacity introducing on all levels. The lack of institutional and human
resources on both central and local level, as well as with other relevant stakeholders
(especially in the industrial sector) should be emphasized in the context of the implementation
of the EU Directives transposed in the Macedonian legislation. The problems get more severe
because of:

Absence of clear allocation of responsibilities between the numerous involved

bodies,

Absence of functional connection between the local and the national level, which is
very important in terms of the new responsib ilities and tasks that should be
6

taken over by the units of the local self- government, that need models for
exchange of experience and significant capacity increase,
Weak capacities of the units of the local self- government in all domains of
environmental protection, including establishment and maintenance of all
environmental media and areas, completion of the national environmental
information system, establishment of inspection, law enforcement, monitoring,
issuing of B environmental integrated licenses and parts of other responsibilities
according to the EU requirements and the local conditions,
Lack of training and guidance that should be organised by the central administration
in collaboration with the local self- government in order to direct and speed up the
transition phase and to obtain adequate vertical coordination between the
government authorities, as well as
Need for enhanced activities for increasing the public awareness a nd education at all
levels, emphasising the aspect of transparency.

Lack of complete and accurate data regarding the polluting substances and polluters, lack of
integrated approach to environmental problems solving, especially in the areas of water
resources management and waste management, as well as the lack of capital investments to
finance the needed upgrading of the infrastructure in these areas, result in further slowing
down of the processes for setting up an efficient system for environment protection in the
Republic of Macedonia.
I.3.

Measures for overcoming the weaknesses in solving

the problems in the environment

FYR of Macedonia continuously addresses the challenges in the EU approximation

pointing out the need for overall strengthening of the national system for environmental
management and strengthening the capacities of the administration on central and local levels,
in order to accelerate the harmonization of the national legislation in the area of environment
with the relevant legislation of the European Union. In that regard, major efforts are necessary
in securing adequate strategic base for implementation of the legislation, as well as for
building the capacity and institutional structures needed to speed up the identification process,
preparation and implementation of programmes and projects in line with the requirements for
multilateral and bilateral support.
The on-going decentralisation process requires identification of numerous priorities and actions
to facilitate the process of allocation of the responsibilities from central to local level, to
enhance the local self- government capacities for implementation of the new responsibilities, as
well as to build up strong relation between the central and the local government. The
importance of these issues is additionally confirmed by the important role of the local-self
government in the process of securing stable progress towards harmonisation with the EU
legislation and adequate implementation of the national legislation.
The mechanisms for integration of the environmental issues in other sector policies have
been increasingly applied in the FYR of Macedonia, and these policies and the requirements

specified in the national legislation gain greater importance. This trend should continue with
even grater intensity towards integrated environmental management in accordance with
the sustainable development principles.
The general goals for setting up functional and efficient national system for environmental
management are aimed at:
Continuation of the process of approximation with the EU policies in the area of
environment, with the horizontal legislation and specific requirements deriving from the
relevant Directives,
Integration of environmental policy into other sector policies,
Strengthening of the administrative structures needed for providing efficient
environmental management,
Establishment of a platform for efficient implementation and
compliance
with
environmental requirements through the process of capacity building for efficient
environmental management at all management levels, through close collaboration
between the responsible authorities on horizontal and vertical levels,
Motivating the industry, the service providers and other stakeholders in the
environmental area for undertaking greater responsibility for the protection of the
environment,
Solving important environmental problems of national importance
Increasing the degree of fulfilment of the obligations deriving from regional and
global environmental agreements, and
Last but not least, increasing the investment level in the area of the environment in order
to achieve the EU standards.

II.

Country Framework

II.1

Basic Data

The FYR of Macedonia is situated in South-Eastern Europe, in the centre of the Balkan
Peninsula (Fig.1). It is a land-locked country in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula
positioned between 4050 and 4220 North Latitude, and between 202730 and 2305 East
Longitude. It borders Albania to the west (191 km), Greece to the south (262 km), Bulgaria to
the east (165 km), and Serbia and Kosovo to the north (231 km). The total length of the border
is 849 km, rounding an area of 25,713 km2 . The relief is mostly hilly and mountainous.
According to the Census in 2002, the total population of the Republic of Macedonia is 2 022
547 inhabitants (see Fig.2). The gender structure shows almost equal participation of both
genders (50.2% men and 49.8% women). The territorial distribution of the population in
Republic of Macedonia express significant inequality. The 57.8% of the population (Census
2002) live in the cities (there are 34 cities in Republic of Macedonia), where the biggest
concentration is in the capitol Skopje (20.5%). Large part of the rural settlements (total number
of settlements is 1.728) are completely depopulated (141 settlement) or have extremely
small number of inhabitants, and in close future, as a result of inauspicious age structure (old
population), will have no population. The average population density is 82 inhabitants per km
(Estimates of population on 31.12.2008).
In the FYR of Macedonia dominates a sub- Mediterranean climate with characteristic
warm and dry summers, and cold and humid winters. The mean annual temperatures decrease
from the north to the south of the country. The mean annual precipitations quantit y on
mountains is approximately 1 000 1 500 mm, and in the basins it is 600 700 mm.
The longest river is Vardar, 388 km (of which 301 km are in Republic of Macedonia), and
mostly it flows through the central part of the country. Its basin occupies biggest part of the
territory of the country and it is part of the Aegean basin. On the southern border there are three
big, natural lakes: Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Lake Dojran. The territory of the Republic of
Macedonia lies on seismically active area.
In industry, the food and the tobacco industry are most characteristic, as well as
manufacture of iron and steel. The unemployment is approximately 33.8 %.

the

Figure 1. Map of the Republic of Macedonia

Air te mperature
The data on temperature refer to the mean monthly value calculated from the mean daily
temperature obtained on the basis of a daily measurement at 7 a.m., at 2 p.m. and at 9 p.m. local
time. The territory of the Republic of Macedonia is under the influence of two zonal
Mediterranian and continental and one local mountain climate.
The activities of the zonal and the local climate influences combine with each other, which
creates special, local climate characteristics in separate parts of the Republic of Macedonia.
The air temperature represents climate element most important for the formation of the
weather and the climate. Comparing the mean annual air temperatures in the Republic of
Macedonia, moving from north to south, several thermal regions can be determined (which can
be seen from the chart).
As a region with highest average temperature is distinguished the far souther n part of
the Republic of Macedonia along the valey of the river Vardar i. e. the Gevgelija-Valandovo

10

basin that spreads to Demir Kapija to the north. This region is under a heavy thermal influence of
the Aegean Sea with mean annual air temperature from 13 to 14 C and more. On the other
hand, as the coldest regions, with lowest average air temperatures are distinguished the high
basins such as the Berovo basin and the high mountain places under the heavy influence of the
local mountain climate with mean annual air temperature under 10 C.
Precipitation
The FYR of Macedonia, according to the characteristics of the precipitations, which
are monitored in 200 measurement stations, located in every part of the country, be longs to the
continental-Mediterranean area. The precipitations regime is conditioned by the general
circulation in the atmosphere. Mostly, the precipitations are connected with and conditioned by
the Mediterranean cyclones. Over the winter, the spring and the autumn they pass over the
Republic of Macedonia and with their activities they are an important factor for the appearance
of precipitations. During the summer period, the Republic of Macedonia usually is in the middle
of the sub-troppical anti-cyclon which conditions warm and dry summers.
From a spatial aspect, for a longer period of time, the area with least precipitations in
Macedonia is the one between the Tikvesh basin (Kavadarci, Demir Kapija), the Ovche Pole
basin (Sveti Nikole) and the Shtip basin (Shtip). In this area, the mean annual quantity of
precipitations in a longer period of time and with small exceptions, amounts to 500 and
under 500 mm (see chart). From this central, most dry area, in every direction, the mean
annual quantities of precipitations also increase, because either the influences of the
Mediterranean climate or the influences of the height above the sea level increase.

Figure 2. Population of the Republic of Macedonia

11

LAND USE AND AGRICULTURE

Land area by categories of use
This indicator shows the basic land structure i.e. how much of the land is used as
agricultural land and how large is the area under forests.
The agricultural land, which includes the cultivable land and the pastures, takes about 48% of
the total area. The forests spread on around 37% of the total area of the Republic of
Macedonia. The rest of the 15% are the areas which are not classified neither in forest nor in
agricultural land. (See Fig.3).

Figure 3. Agricultural areas in MK

Gross-balance of nitrogene
The indicator takes in consideration the input and output quantities of nitrogen in agriculture.
The input substances consist of the quantity of nitrogen applied through mineral fertilizers and
artificial fertilizer, as well as the nitrogen fixation by the nitrogen-fixating plants, the alluvia
by air and of other smaller sources. The output nitrogen is contained in the collected (reaped)
crops, the herbs and the plants the livestock consumes. The rough i.e. the gross-balance of
nitrogen is expressed in kgN/year per hectar (ha).
In the period from 2000 to 2001, we can notice a significant increase in the grossbalance of nitrogen, followed by stagnation and then a sudden decrease in the period from
2002 to 2003 and further slight decrease in the gross-balance of nitrogen. The constant
surplus indicates potential problems with the environment, while the constant deficit in the
nitrogen balance indicates potential risk of decrease in the nutrient substances in soil.
Production of pesticides
The
data
on
produced
quantities
of
pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and
fungicides) represent an annual production from the Annual report for industry in the class
24.20 - Production of pesticides and other agro- chemical products from the National
Classification of Activities (NCA). The produced quantities are processed according to the
National Nomenclature of Industrial Products. Also, the production of pesticides is included in
the sample products for calculating the total volume index of industrial production.

12

The productions of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) except in 2006

continuously decrease. (See Fig. 4). In 2008, 57 tones of pesticides, out of which 35.0%
fungicides, 63.2% insecticides and 1.7% herbicides were produced. (See Fig.4).

Figure 4. Production of pesticides in MK

Areas under organic agriculture

The indicator shows areas under organic farming calculated as share (percentage) of the sum of
areas under organic production (expressed in ha) in the total agricultural area (expressed in ha).
Organic farming is a production system where the application and the inteke of synthetic
chemicals like synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hormones and growth regulators, as
well as the use of genetically modified organisms are reduced and eliminated, while the use of
good practices in the management of agricultural ecosystems for farming and livestock breeding
is promoted. Organic agriculture is also dinstinctive from conventional one by the application of
rules in production, labeling schemes and certificates under the Law on Organic Farming and
bylaws harmonized with the European regulations.
Areas under organic farming have been constantly growing since 2005 when the organic
agriculture was introduced in accordance with the legislation. (see Fig.5)

13

Figure 5. Growing of the areas under organic farming (MK)

BIODIVERSITY AND FORESTRY

Richness and heterogeneity of species and ecosystems, and the high degree of relicts and
endemism are the main characteristics of biological diversity in the Rep ublic of Macedonia.
Besides the fact that the diversity of flora and fauna has not been completely studied, yet,
according to the available findings, it shows great richness over 18 000 taxa of flora, fungus
and fauna, of which over 900 are Macedonian endemics.
Forests, traditionally, mean a resource that provides material goods. But, besides their
ownership and purpose, forests also have production, protection functions and functions
useful for the society. Production function of forests serves the goal of production of wood and
other forest products. Protection functions of forests provide protection of biodiversity,
prevention of erosion, etc. Socially useful functions of forests are related to sustainable
development and environment improvement achieved through positive influence on climate
and water regime, production of oxygen and quality of the living environment.
All these functions of forests are corelative to their condition and structure, a ccording to
both surface and quality. The economic, social and ecological functions of forests are of
great importance for the sustainable development of society and for the improvement of the
quality of life.
Forests by species. The forests scope the areas overgrown with forest trees in types of tree
stands: pure tree stands of broadleaved species, pure tree stands of coniferous species and mixed
tree stands. The biggest share in the total area under forest belongs to the pure tree stands
broadleaved species (See Fig.6.)

14

Figure 6. Forests by species in MK

Forest damages are common phenomenon and they can be caused by various factors. Mosty,
they are damages caused by insects, plant diseases or fire damages. One can not neglect the
damage that man deliberately causes to the forest, such as the case of the illegal wood-cutting,
which is, unfortunately, quite present in our forests. (See Figure 7).

Figure 7. Forests damages in MK

15

SOIL
The soil is constituent part of the environment, together with the atmosphere and the
hydrosphere, and it represents most precious natural resource without which the life of
the mankind, the fauna and the flora, is impossible.
The soil has numerous ecologic functions, which are of essential importance for the
environment, but also for the economy and the development of the society as a whole.
The influences on soil caused by humans activities continuously increase. This le ads to
unsustainable level of soil erosion, as well as its chemical contamination and biological
degradation. Additionally, the use of agricultural soils of good quality have changed with
the spread of urbanisation and infrastructure development.
The prevention of soil degradation presents a big challenge. This is achieved by
special measures of soil protection and management policy, as well as by including the
issues of soil protection in the other sector policies i.e.
agriculture,
forestry,
water
management, transport and others.
The indicator shows the area afflicted by water erosion, which is dominant in the Republic of
Macedonia.
The erosion map of Macedonia was completed in 1992, but it was digitized and published in
2002. It was prepared according to the empirical model by Gavrilovich, according to whom
there are five categories and twelve sub-categories of erosion intensity.
According to the report of the European Environment Agency (Europes Environment the
Dobris Assessment, 1995), Macedonia is placed in the so-called red zone of water erosion in
Europe.
The erosion map (Fig.8) of Macedonia shows that 96% of the total area is afflicted by the
process of erosion. Approximately 36.65% of the total area of the country is afflicted by the first
three categories of erosion.
The annual loss of soil represents annual average loss of cultivable soil layer of 20 mm thickness
on an area of 8.500 ha, which represents 17 000 000 m loss of soil every year.

Figure 8. Erosion map of MK

16

Identified industrial contaminated sites - hotspots, 2005

The indicator on the map on Figure 9 shows the location of the contaminated sites in the
Republic of Macedonia, the improvement in their management, as well as the economic
activities that contribute to the contamination of the soil.

Figure 9. Contaminated sites in MK

In the Republic of Macedonia, 16 sites with soil contamination have been identified,
characterised as hotspots. Preliminary researches were made on 16 sites, main researches were
conducted on seven sites, and remedial measures were partially conducted on two sites.
Completion of measures has not been registered at any of the identified hotspots.
In relation to the economic activities that contribute to the soil contamination, expressed
in percentage, the biggest share belongs to mining, 43,8%, followed by the metallurgy
with 31,3%, then the organic-chemical industry with 12,5% and, finally, the refinery and
the leather industry with 6,3%. (See Figure 10).

17

Figure 10. Contamination as result of different causes

WASTE
Big part of the processes and the products that are linked to the modern way of living have
negative effects on the living environment.
Among the important consequences are also the increasing costs for treating and
storing the excessive waste quantities. The proper management of the abundant waste
quantities made by the households, the industry and the economy is of great importance for the
welfare of the society.
During the past period, the bad waste management practices have led to degradation of
the ecosystems, as well as to loss of precious natural resources and to potential health risks.
Municipal landfills, 2008. This indicator shows the total number of municipal landfills for solid
municipal and other non-hazardous waste by regions, the total area and the active area of the
landfills in the Republic of Macedonia by regions (Fig.11).

18

Figure 11. Map of landfills in MK (marked in green)

Landfills
Number

Total surface (m 2 )

Active surface (m2)

Republic of
Macedonia - total
Var dar

58

2 641 509

1 240 850

918 753

260 000

East

10

352 926

197 130

Southwest

131 880

72 500

Southeast

559 000

345 600

Pelagonia

133 250

87 800

Polog
Nor theast
Skopj e

6
5
6

370 000
47 700
128 000

202 000
31 820
44 000

There are 58 municipal landfills in the Republic of Macedonia occupying a total area of
2 641 509 m2, while the active area of landfills covers 1 240 850 m2. The landfill Drisla
which serves the region of the City of Skopje is the only permitted landfill in the Republic
of Macedonia. From the map, it can be seen that the Eastern region has the highest number

19

of landfills (10), followed by Vardar and Southeastern regions with nine, and Northeastern
region has the lowest number of landfills - only five. With regard to the total area occupied by
landfills, the one of Vardar region is the largest with 918 753 m2, followed by Southeastern and
Polog regions, while the area of landfills in Northeastern region of 47 700 m2 is the smallest in
the Republic of Macedonia. Active area of landfills is the largest in Southeastern region
with 345 600 m2, followed by Vardar and Polog regions, while landfills in Northeastern region
have the least active area of landfills, i.e. 31 820 m2. According to the Ministry of Environment
and Physical Planning, it is especially important to point out that there are approximately
1 000 unlicensed municipal landfills, especially in rural areas, which are not included in this
survey..
Municipal waste is waste collected by or on behalf of municipal authorities. It cosists
of waste from the households, including the massive waste, similar waste from commercial
and trade industries, official buildings, institutions and small bussiness, waste from gardens,
street waste, the content of waste containers and the waste from market cleaning.
Data on the municipl waste for 2008 are collected through the survey carried out for the first
time by State Statistical Office, in accordance with the National legislation and European
standards.
The source of data are the municipal enterprises in the Republic of Macedonia. The data
for the amount of collected waste are collected by the annual report; the data for the generated
waste are estimated. The date are published at the regional level.
According to the State Statistical Office, the total amount of collected municipal waste
in RM for 2008 is 531 281.900 tones. The amount of generated municipal waste is 713 564.298
tones. The annual amount of generated municipal waste per person for 2008 is 349 kg, or 0.9
kg per day.
The highest amount of municipal waste is collected from the Skopje region, and the lowest
amount from the Southeast region. The same situation refers to the amount of generated
municipal waste. (See Figure 12).

Figure 12. Amount of municipal waste by regions in MK

20

Export/Import of waste, by activities

The foreign trade statistics in the Republic of Macedonia is based on the principle of special
trade, according to which the export scopes all the goods exported abroad and in the foreign
customs warehouses and the commercial free zones, and which are of domestic origin, from the
areas for internal processing and from the industrial free zones. The import includes all the
goods no matter if they are imported directly from abroad, from customs transit or from
customs warehouses and commercial free zo nes, and they are intended for production,
investments or general consumption. Besides the commercial turnover, the statistics scopes
also the goods the turnover of which i.e. export or import is done without paying the
countervalue.
The value of the goods for enrichment is calculated on a gross-basis, before and after the
processing is done.
In the import/export of waste, in 2008, the biggest share belongs to the activity Production of
basic materials (Figure 13). In import, the share of this activity amounts to 94%, while in export
it participates with 48%. In export, big share also belongs to the activity Other mining and
quarrying, which participates with 21%. The general tendency of import/export of waste in
the activity Production of basic materials is increasing, except for 2008 when a significant
fall in export was noticed (Figure 14). Waste import for the period 2005-2007 marked
continuous expansion with data for 2007 353 thousand tones. (See Figure 14).

Figure 13. Shares in the import/export of waste (MK)

21

Figure 14. Import/export of waste in MK

WATER
Water, being one of the basic media in the environment and a basic substance without which life
could not exist, becomes increasingly interesting from the aspect of its quality and quantity.
In this part, we are mainly addressing the water used in industrial processes (supply, use and
waste water).
The data on water, given in tables, is part of the surveys on water conducted by the State
Statistical Office and is prepared according to a special methodology.
Data sources are major business entities on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia which
use water in their technological processes.
The survey VOD.1 includes approximately 1000 reporting units i.e. business entities in the
area of industry and mining according to the National Classification of Activities (NCA),
collected by means of statistical questionnaires.
The quantities of used and discharged water are expressed in measurement unit
thousand m. The water quality data is obtained from the Administration of Hydrometeorological
Affairs, the Hydrobiological Institute- Ohrid and the Public Health Institute. Also, data is used
from the Water Management Master Plan of the Republic of Macedonia.
According to the hydrochartic division, on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia
four river watersheds exist: Vardar, Crn Drim, Strumica and Juzhna Morava watersheds.
The Vardar Watershed includes: the basin of the river
Vardar with its tributaries on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia up to the MacedonianGreek state border, and the basin of Lake Dojran on the territory of the Republic of
Macedonia, and covers 80% of the waters in the country.
The Crn Drim Wate rshed includes the basins of Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid, and the
basin of Crn Drim River with its tributaries on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia up
to the Macedonian-Albanian state border.
The Strumica Watershed includes the basins of Strumica, Cironska and Lebnica
rivers up to the Macedonian-Bulgarian state border.
The Juzhna Morava Watershed includes the basin of Juzhna Morava River on the territory of
the Republic of Macedonia up to the Macedonian-Serbian state border.

22

The water flow of rivers is an indicator that shows the condition of the water quantity in
the Republic of Macedonia, at reference and border flow measurement points presented as total
annual flow for a given period of time m/sec.
From the Figure 15, we can notice increased water quantity, both on the reference and
the border measurement points for 2004, which is a result of an increased air humidity in
that period. The quantity of water in 2005 was almost by three times lower at border stations,
while in 2006, the flow increased again at reference and border flow measurement points.

Figure 15. Water quantities in MK

The data that 88.9% of the total number of individual households are supplied with drinking
water from public water pipeline represent statistically high indicator. However the fact that at
the beginning of the 21 century, in the heart of Europe, still a part of the households drink water

23

which is neither biologically nor chemically examined, represents a worrying indicator. Neither
the fact that the bigger number of the households that are not supplied with drinking water from a
public water pipeline are concentrated mostly in low populated rural settlements can not be
an excuse for the insufficient care of the country, in every dwelling, in every household to bring
quality drinking water. Keeping the living environment, among other things, largely depends
on the attention dedicated to the effluent waters from the households. With the Census of
population, households and dwellings, 2002, data on the equipment of dwellings with instalations
for waste waters are collected as well. The data that as many as 40.1% of the total number
of dwellings are not equipped with instalations which conduct the waste waters from the
households to public sewage show that little care for the protection of the living environment
from the waste waters from households is taken in the Republic of Macedonia. The bigger part of
the constructed sewage network does not lead to modern system of drains.
The drinking water indicator shows the percentage of examined safe and unsafe drinking
water samples in urban settlements. From the Figure 16 we can see that the percentage of safe
samples in all years is over 90% (91.5% - 95%) which shows that the sanitary-hygienic
condition of the drinking water is within the limits of the expected quality. The percentage of
improper samples, according to the physical-chemical analysis, ranges from 3.8% to 7.5%, and
the percentage of improper samples, according to the microbiological analysis, ranges from 0.8%
to 1.5%.

Figure 16. Percentage of safe samples in all years is over 90% (91.5% - 95%)
Bathing water quality indicator shows the percentage of examined samples that do not
comply with the class proscribed in the Decree on categorisation of water for physical and
chemical parameters. From the Figure 17 we can notice that the percentage of samples of
inappropriate quality is still high (this especially counts for the physical and chemical
parameters). The percentage of samples from the lakes for examination of microbiological

24

parameters which are of inappropriate quality ranges to maximum 10.81%, which complied with
the tolerance level of water quality in the period 1997-2005, while significantly better results
from physical and chemical, as well as bacteriological analyses of natural lake waters were
recorded in the period 2006-2008. The water in the biggest natural lake Lake Ohrid has been
improving as a result of the construction of an appropriate waste water system in the region. But,
still there are parts where the rivers flowing into the lake contribute to the appearance of
inappropriate water quality. The quality of water in Prespa and Dojran lakes has improved as
well, owing to improved hydrological status, i.e. increased water level, as well as activities
undertaken for the purpose of the lakes protection against pollution.

Figure 17. Percentage of water samples of inappropriate quality is still high

The key indicator for the status of oxygenation of the water bodies is the biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD), which represents oxygen demand as a result of the organisms in the water that
consume the organic substance which can be oxygenated. The average annual concentration of
BOD within 5 or 7-day incubation (BOD5 /BOD7 ) is expressed in mg O 2 /l.
From the Figure 18 we can notice high concentrations of BOD5 at certain measurement points on
Vardar and Crna Reka rivers, which for the period 1999-2008 match 3rd and 4th class water
quality. The highest concentrations of BOD5 measured on Vardar river were recorded in 2001
and 2002, and on Crna Reka in 2004. In the period, 1999 - 2004, lower concentrations were
registered for the river Bregalnica which are in accordance with the values for categorisation of
this river. In the period from 2005 to 2008, concentrations of BOD5 matched 3rd and 4th class
water quality.

Figure 18. High concentrations of BOD5

25

Total ammonium in rive rs is indicator which shows the total ammonium concentration,
expressed in annual level for the three rivers, in mg per litre N/l. From the Figure 19 we can
notice concentrations of N/l at certain measurement points on the river Vardar, river Bregalnica
and river Crna Reka, for the period from 1999 to 2008, which match the water quality of
between 3rd and 5th class. In 2001, higher concentrations of N/l were recorded on the river
Crna Reka matching 5th class of water quality.

Figure 19. Concentrations of N/l at different rivers in MK

Nitrates in rivers is indicator which shows the conscentrations of nitrates in the three analysed
rivers and monitors the current concentrations of nutrients in a given time period, expressed as a
total annual concentration in mg nitrate per litre (NO 3 )/l. From the Figure 20 we can notice
nitrate concentrations at the measurement points on all three rivers according to the Decree on
categorisation of waters in the Republic of Macedonia.

Figure 20. Nitrate concentrations at the measurement points in three main rivers in MK
The Nitrite indicator shows the concentrations of nitrite in the three analysed rivers (Vardar,
Bregalnica and Crna) and monitors the current nutrients concentrations in a given time period,
expressed as a total annual concentration in mg nitrite per litre (NO 2 )/l. The nitrites
concentrations at the measurement points of the rivers Vardar, Bregalnica and Crna which
correspond with the water quality under the Decree on categorisation of waters in the Republic
of Macedonia. Concentrations had a falling trend in the period between 2003 and 2008 thus
complying with the provisions of the Decree.

26

Orthophosphates in rivers is indicator which shows the orthophosphates concentrations in the

three analysed rivers and it monitors the current orthophosphates concentrations in a given time
period, expressed as a total annual concentration in mg per litre orthophosphate P/l. High
orthophosphates concentrations at the measurement points on the river Vardar, which in the
period from 2001 to 2008, significantly decreased and match the water quality according to the
Decree on categorisation of waters in the Republic of Macedonia. The orthophosphates
concentrations in the rivers Bregalnica and Crna Reka, in the same period, show
minimum increasing trend.
Water supply in industry and mining includes all water quantities intaken and supplied by the
businesses no matter if they are for own needs or transferred or sold to other users. The water
quantities are determined by measuring with water meter or assessed according to the norms for
the specified activity (on the basis of the working time and the capacities of the pumping
facilities). According to the statistical data, the water quantities for the needs of the industry
and the mining mostly are provided by surface waters (water courses, reservoirs, lakes). In
2008, to surface waters belong approximately 92% of the total intaken waters for supplying the
industry and the mining, and the rest belong to public sewage, springs and ground waters. (See
Figure 21).

Figure 21. Waters for supplying industry and mining

The waters used for production purposes represent used or consumed water quantities in
production purposes (production, cooling). In the period 2000-2008, for production purposes,
fresh water for technical purposes (approximately 99%) was mostly used. In 2008, from
total 1 906 mil. m3 of used fresh water in industry and mining, 1 859 mil. m3 were industrial
water and 11 mil. m3 - fresh drinking water. (See Figure 22).

27

Figure 22. Fresh water, recycled water and water used repeatedly in the industry and mining
(MK)

The discharging of waste waters from industry and mining (which after their use have not been
treated at all) is done in determined recepient. As waste water recepients appear: the soil, the
sewage, the water courses, the reservoirs and the lakes.In 2008, from the total discharged
untreated waste waters from industry and mining, 60.2% % were discharged in water courses,
30.4% in reservoirs, and the rest in public sewage and the soil. In 2008, in the lakes there was no
disharging of untreated waste waters from industry and mining. (See Figure 23).

Figure 23. Disharging of untreated waste waters from industry and mining

28

The indicator Discharging of treated waste water from industry and mining by recipient is
indicator reflects the condition of the discharging of waste waters, which after the use have
undergone purifying treatment. They are purified in a certain manner (mechanical, chemical,
biological or combined) and as such are discharged in some recipient. In the Republic of
Macedonia only approximately 3-4% of the total waste waters quantity are treated. From total 94
786 000 m3
of treated waste waters, in 2008, approximately 99.9% originated from
processing industry and 0.1% from mining.
The public sewage sustem is the main recipient of the treated waste waters. In 2008,
approximately 25.1% of the total waste water quantities were discharged in reservoirs,
6.0% in water courses, 68.1% in sewage and 0.4% in ground. It is important to point out that the
purification of waste waters greatly depends on the technical properness of the facilities for that
purpose, and the construction of new facilities does not have certain important growth tendency
which, of course, shows that it is necessary to make bigger efforts for improving the
condition in this sphere. (See Figure 24).

Figure 24. Recipients of the treated waste water

Waste waters in industry and mining by the purpose, 2008

The waste waters from industry and mining appear after its use in the technological production
processes, the cooling system, from the sanitary facilities or from other source. This indicator
shows the structure of the waste waters from industry and mining by the purpose. The biggest
quantities of waste water in 2008 is generated during the production process (77.5%), from
cooling 13.1% and approximately 6.3% from sanitation water. It is important to point out that the
cooling waters, after the use, are usually discharged without previous cooling by which they
make thermal pollution of the recipient. (See Figure 25).

29

Figure 25. The sources of waste waters from industry and mining

AIR AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Some of the human activities, such as the fossil fuels combustion, emission of pollutants,
greenhouse gases and other substances, directly or indirectly affect the air quality and the climate
change. The air polluting is increasingly intensified as a result of the rapid development of
traffic, the incomplete waste combustion, the industry, the fast urbanisation, the insufficient care
for preserving the environment etc; the pollutants emitted in the air can originate also from
natural sources such as volcano eruptions, forest fires, chemical reactions, biological sources etc.
Every year million tones of SO2, NOx, CO, dust and gases that cause the effect of greenhouse
and deplete the ozone layer are emitted in the ground layer of air and the atmosphere, and they
are known as primary air pollutants. The polluted atmosphere air causes harmful consequences
to human's health and other living organisms, as well as their environment, and it also causes
damage to man's economy of living. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare plans and programmes
for taking protection measures.
In the Republic of Macedonia, in the period from 2002 to 2008, variable trend of falling and
rising of the emissions was recorded for the following substances: SO2 sulphur dioxide, NOx nitrogen oxides, CO - carbon monoxide, and TS-total suspended matters. (See Figure 26).

Figure 26. Failing and raising of air pollutants (MK)

30

II.2

Relief and Soils

The Republic of Macedonia has a very complex geology and developed relief which ultimately
lead to a great variation of soil types.
Mountains represent the large relief forms covering approximately two thirds of the country
territory. Principally they are part of the old Rodope group in the eastern part and young Dinaric
group in the west part of the country. Eastern mountains are in general lower than 2,000 metres
with the highest, Mount Osogovo, at 2,252 m. The Dinaric are a much higher mountain range at
over 2,500 metres, with Golem Korab being the highest peak in Macedonia 2,764 m. In
between these groups of mountains are the Vardar zone along both banks of the Vardar River
and the Pelagonian horst anticline in the central part of the country.
Valleys and Plains intersect the mountainous relief structures, covering roughly one third of the
country. The most distinct valleys are those extending along the Vardar River, including the
Skopje Valley (1,840 km2), while the largest plain in Macedonia is the Pelagonia Plain, in the
southwest, occupying an area of some 4,000 km2 at average altitude of 600 metres.
Karstic relief is specific for Macedonia mostly represented with Paleozoic, Mesozoic,
Palaeogenic and Neogenic limestone, found mostly in the central and western part of the
country. The relief includes surface karstic forms of depressions, crevices, fissures and karstic
plains as well as underground forms including 164 caves and 12 pits and sinkhole s.

II.3

Hydrography

Macedonia is considered rich in waters with 4,414 springs recorded and mapped, which capacity
reaches 6.63 billion m3 per year. In hydrological terms the Republic of Macedonia is divided
among the three watersheds of: the Adriatic Sea (15 percent of the territory) with main outflow
Crn Drim River; the Aegean Sea (85 percent of the territory) with the Vardar River, and
Strumica River as main water flows; and the Black Sea which territory is insignificant.
The Vardar River is the largest, containing 80 percent of the water flow going out of Macedonia.
Its total length is 388 km, of which 300 km run in Macedonia while the remainder in Greece
flows into the Aegean Sea near the Thessalonica Gulf. At the exit-point from Macedonia its runoff is 174 m3/sec. The Vardars major western tributaries are the Crna River (207 km in length)
and the Treska River (138 km), while the longest eastern tributaries are the Bregalnica River
(225 km) and the Pchinja River (135 km).
Being a land- locked country Macedonia is proud of its natural and man-made lakes. Of the
natural ones, the most attractive are the tectonic lakes of Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran. Lake Ohrid
is the largest with an area of 358.8 km2; of which 229.9 km2 belong to Macedonia and the
remainder to Albania. Its deepest point is at 287 m allowing for the temperature of the water to
reach 25C during the summer period, although the altitude is 695 m. The lake has a
hydrological connection with the upper Prespa lake, which has an area of 274 km2, shared with
Greece and Albania. The smallest, Lake Dojran, unlike the former two located in western part of
the country, is situated in the south-east and has an area of 42.7 km2 shared with Greece.

31

II.4

Climate

Due to specific natural and geographic characteristics, there are two main types of climate in
Macedonia: modified Mediterranean and moderate continental. Thus, two prominent seasons
occur: cold, wet winters and dry, hot summers interlinked with transitional spring and autumn. In
addition to these, in the high, mountainous areas there is also a mountainous climate
characterized by short, cool summers and considerably cold and moderately wet winters, where
precipitation is mainly in the form of snow.
The average annual temperature is 11.3C. Th e hottest towns are Valandovo and Gevgelija (subMediterranean region), with temperatures of 14.5C and 14.3C, respectively. In the
mountainous climatic areas, the mean annual temperatures are: 4.7C Popova Shapka (1,750 m),
6.8C Lazaropole (1,330 m) and 8.2C Krushevo (1,230 m). The average precipitation of 18 the
Republic is 683.7 mm/year. Th e areas of highest precipitation occur in Mavrovi Anovi and
Resen, with 1,197 mm and 757.9 mm, respectively, and the least in Ovche Pole Plain with only
490.3 mm.
Based on measurements and observations of the basic climatological parameters, several rather
homogeneous climatic regions and sub-regions are defined in Macedonia: Sub-Mediterranean;
Moderate Continental/Sub-Mediterranean; Hot Continental; Cold Continental; Sub-ForestContinental-Mountainous; Forest-Continental Mountainous; Sub-Alpine Mountainous; Alpine
Mountainous.
II.5

Demographic Frame work

Macedonia is a small country with a total population of 2,022,547 inhabitants (census of 2002),
with an average population density of 78.6 inhabitants/km2 of whom roughly 60 percent live in
urban areas. High population is concentrated in the larger cities (Skopje 467,257 inhabitants,
Bitola 86,408, Kumanovo 103,205, Prilep 73,351 and Tetovo 70,841); the inappropriate
positioning of the industrial capacities and an inadequate communal infrastructure create serious
problems in ensuring good quality of the environment. Demographic, economic, social and
environmental characteristics within the populatio n demonstrate significant rural- urban
differences. According to the census of 1994, 121 rural settlements have been completely
abandoned. While the processes of industrialization and urbanization have had a positive
influence on the development of towns and their nearby villages, they have negatively impacted
upon the distant hill and mountain villages. An important demographic feature of the country is
its multiethnic composition which affects all areas of living and further development. Roughly
two thirds of the inhabitants are ethnic Macedonian, while one quarter is ethnic Albanian
(Table 1). This is further underlined by their religious affiliation, since the former are mostly
orthodox Christians while the latter are Muslims.
Total

Macedonians

Al banians

Turks

Roma

Vlachs

Serbs

Bosniacs

Others

Figures

2.022.547

1.297.981

509.083

77.959

53.879

9.695

35.939

17.018

20.993

100

64.18

25.17

3.85

2.66

0.48

1.78

0.84

1.04

Table 1. Total population of the Republic of Macedonia according ethnic affiliation

Source: State Statistical Office, Release 2.1.3.30, Census of Population, Households and
Dwellings in the Republic of Macedonia, 2002 Final data

32

III.

Climate Change

The first GHG Inventory in Macedonia was prepared for the First National Communication
(FNC) on Climate Change in 2003. The total GHG emissions in 1998 amount to 15,085 million
tonnes CO2-eq, out of which over three quarters come from the energy sector. Collection of
GHG emission data is carried out on a national basis and inventories are prepared using
appropriate calculation models and database systems.
The energy sector in Macedonia provides the highest GHG abatement potential, accounting
simultaneously for economic indicators and technological limitations. The formulation of
economic policy regarding energy prices and taxes is in the hands of the Government, which is
responsible for the development of energy supply and demand projections. However, the central
administrative structure responsible for the implementation of GHG reduction measures and
monitoring thereof, has not been established yet.
The climate change related legal frame work is rather multidisciplinary and is connected to
energy efficiency, water and air pollution, planning, monitoring of the conditions in
environmental protection, etc. In the last few years significant progress has been made in
adoption of new legislation and ratification of international conventions and protocols, as well as
in their implementation. The MEPP is responsible for the coordination of the climate change
related activities. A Climate Change Project Unit functions within the MEPP, which also
logistically supports the National Climate Change Committee, entrusted with the monitoring and
the coordination of the Convention implementation.
The Republic of Macedonia ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2004, and the Energy Charter Treaty
and Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects already in September
1998. Based on the analysis within the NCSA and the findings presented in the First National
Communication on Climate Change, the following national priorities have been identified:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Effective national planning to achieve GHG emissions abatement through preparation

of a national action plan;
Identification of corresponding adaptation measures in vulnerable sectors in accordance
with the First National Communication on Climate Change;
Research and systematic observation;
Enabling and encouraging the technology transfer;
Enhancing the education and raising the public awareness.

The assessment of capacity constraints in the energy and the other GHG emission sectors shows
that the effective national planning in order to attain mitigation of GHG emissions, is mostly
limited by the lack of financial means and the low potential to attract foreign investment. In
addition, insufficient communication between the ministries, insufficient expertise and
preparedness to use new technologies, low awareness, different stakeholder interests
(particularly in view of forthcoming transformation of ESM and the privatisation), etc., have
been identified as constraints.

33

The vulnerable sectors where adaptation measures have been proposed in the FNC are:
agriculture, land-use, land- use change and forestry, biodiversity, hydrology and water resources,
and human health. Strengthening the capacity and implementation of these measures in the
vulnerable sectors, have to be followed by appropriate financial support from the national
budget, the fund based on GHG emission taxes, commercial loans, direct investments,
international financial and technical assistance.
The capacity constraints in the priority issue of research and systematic observation, present on
systemic and individual levels, are in close relation to the lack of financial means and the low
interest of the public sectors. Delineation of several parallel plans and programmes for
rehabilitation, improvement and management of the existing monitoring systems, as part of the
national strategy on systematic monitoring and research, would reduce the identified constraints.
Within the Climate Change Enabling Activities Project, a follow-up of the FNC, a report on
technology needs for GHG abatement in the energy sector in Macedonia has been prepared, in
relation to three criteria: effectiveness, cost and difficulty of implementation.
The capacity constraints in this sector mainly consist of lack of domestic investment capital and
the low level of foreign investments, but also insufficient communication between the ministries,
administrative hindrances, deficient expertise, etc. The problems become more serious if we
move from individual, through the institutional towards the systemic level.
Education and training, and public awareness on climate change issues in Macedonia requires
coordinated efforts and cooperation of policy makers, scientific and educational institutions,
industry stakeholders, professional organizations, and NGOs.
Determination, classification of capacity constraints and their prioritization in the field of climate
change indicated their presence at all levels, however most on the institutional level. As
expected, the GHG emissions abatement is an issue that faces the largest number of constraints.
On the systemic level the largest constraints are inappropriate regulations burdened with
overlapping, flaws and inconsistencies, as well as different interests of relevant stakeholders.

34

IV.

Land Degradation and Desertification

Land management in the Republic of Macedonia is different than in other countries, because the
property owner is the owner of the soil, namely the arable layer, and has the right to use it, while
all natural and other resources (water, forests, pastures, mineral resources, etc.) are state
property. The management of separate resources is entrusted to various entities.
Practically, in Macedonia the concept of integrated resources management, understood under
land management does not exist in practice.
Drought is a common phenomenon in Macedonia, which causes many problems in agriculture,
forestry, and water management. Despite the obvious presence of erosion there are insufficient
data on land degradation and desertification in the country. In addition, there are neither
advanced researches nor data at scientific level. The salinization, its intensity, dimension, and
state cannot be exactly defined due to absence of monitoring or any research. For the same
reason no exact data exist on soil pollution with nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, pesticides,
organic pollutants, heavy metals, and oil. Although use of fertilizers in agriculture has been
declining over the last ten years, it still remains quite high. In addition, landfills typically situated
on alluvium or karst, create a potential for groundwater contamination. Soil pollution from
industrial waste is also a serious issue.
As a Party to the UNCCD, Macedonia acknowledges the obligations of the Convention, but its
implementation is not easy due to limited resources. Therefore, the solutions and approaches
should be sought and implemented on a regional basis, influencing the support of international
community (financial, expertise and other resources). The capacity development objectives
regarding UNCCD are divided into five groups. According to that structure, without
prioritization, some of the capacity development objectives are the following:

Development of a National Strategy for integrated approach to the issues of land

degradation, desertification and drought with special emphasis on socio-economic issues;
Establishment of a national body (under UNCCD) responsible for land degradation,
desertification and drought;
Preparation and update of the basic maps (pedological, vegetation, erosion, land-use, land
susceptible to desertification, etc.) and digitalization in GIS;
Establishment of a National Training Centre for Technology Transfer (NTCTT);
Improvement of the system of land management and introduction of a land information
system;
vement of the public awareness regarding the issues of land
degradation/desertification.

Macedonia has neither an integrated strategy nor complete analyses for the various processes of
desertification and drought, although several strategic documents that may be related to land
degradation and desertification exist in the country. Cooperation in the field of environmental
protection and conservation of land and water resources is very important for combating land
degradation and desertification. The two ministries responsible for land and water (MEPP and
MAFWE) should promote it among all stakeholders by establishing links with education,
research and technology transfer. Institutional organization is an important issue as well.

35

Macedonia in this respect does not have sufficient capacities able to approach the problem of
drought, land degradation, and desertification from a multidisciplinary point of view.
Mitigation of the effects of drought is one of the priorities at the country level. Furthermore,
development of National Action Plan for Combating Desertification is one of the urgent
priorities of the country, which should include activities and targets at national level as well at
the sub-regional and regional level. There is a need for long-term policy strategy and action
programmes at all levels, in particularly the local level. Another urgent need in the country is the
establis hment of a National Committee on Desertification and Land Degradation. Technology
transfer is a very important part of international cooperation.
Macedonia is very vulnerable with regard to desertification and land degradation since it is a
crossroads of several climatic types and experiences huge differences in natural conditions.
Because of the limited natural, human, and financial resources implementation of the UNCCD
should be raised from a national to regional level.
At systemic level institutions are well developed, yet there is duplication and an overlapping of
the responsibilities of different ministries, low level of coordination at national and local level,
low level of political will, insufficient legal framework for implementation of the Convention
and low financial capabilities of the country. Therefore the country should make use of the
organized international network of funds to be used for implementation of the national action
programmes, taking care to avoid inert administration, to waive good and important projects.
The institutional level shows institutions with good reputations and experience with scientific
projects implementation, yet with a low level of cooperation and data exchange among them.
Therefore efforts should be directed to strengthen them and clarify their responsibilities.
At the individual level the country has a large number of highly educated and skilled individuals
with large experience in the field but absence of suitable integral education on land degradation
and desertification. It is important to work towards highly skilled and experienced staff to
collaborate on joint international projects and avoid a brain drain.

36

V.

Strategy and Action Plan for Environmental Capacity Development

According to NCSA Project, the following nine areas of capacity deficit in Macedonia have
been identified:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

National policy;
Legal and regulatory framework;
Incentive systems and economic and market instruments;
National and international funding;
Technology transfer;
Institutional mandate, management capacity and performance;
Monitoring and observation, data management;
Public awareness and education;
Scientific expertise.

The opportunities for capacity development in the environmental area in Macedonia have been
identified in three wider categories:
1. Ongoing processes and reforms;
2. Ongoing and future projects in the field of environment and related sectors;
3. Possible projects/programmes/activities identified by the NCSA.

V.1.

Environmental Capacity Constraints

In the area of Macedonians National policy two common goals are defined, characteristic for
all environmental issues: (1) achievement of efficient national planning; and (2) integration of
the biodiversity protection, climate change and land degradation/desertification in the strategic
plans and priorities of the country. Besides existence of strategic planning documents, the level
of implementation effectiveness is assessed as medium to low. The reasons for such a situation
are identified as insufficiently expressed political will for implementation, lack of financial
means, insufficient efficiency of bodies responsible for monitoring, a degree of non-compliance
of the existing legislation and the proposed measures in the strategies and action plans, certain
overlapping of the responsibilities of different ministries and the lack of coordination between
them, lack of professional staff, strategies too ambitious for the country capacities, etc. These
constraints are especially pronounced in the area of land degradation.
The current economic situation in the country is resulting in a heavily restricted budgetary policy
that puts environmental expenditure at a very low level, although which over the last few years
has begun to show a positive trend. In addition the different interests of stakeholders that have
similar mandates lead to overlaps and gaps in the environmental protection. The process of
decision making at the government level is centralized. Regarding the technical knowledge and
expertise in the responsible administration organs, the MEPP has made significant progress with
implementation of the EU funded Project Strengthening of the Capacity of the MEPP.

37

The institutions that should actively participate in preparing projects, plans, implementation of
the monitoring and other activities for successfully accomplishing the tasks required by the three
Rio Conventions, often do not have sufficient infrastructure, equipment and/or sufficiently
educated staff to meet the requirements. The integration of the country with the European
structure has put the legislation approximation among the top priority actions to be performed in
the next period. Therefore, it is understandable that in the area of legal frame work, two priority
goals have been identified. The first one is (1) adaptation of national legislation to Rio
Conventions obligations; and the second (2) approximation of Macedonias national legislation
to EU acquis communitaire.
Economic instruments can be important elements to finance the cost of the implementation of
the three global conventions. Therefore, in the capacity deficit area of incentive systems and
market instruments, development and introduction of incentive systems for promotion of Rio
Conventions is identified as a priority goal. However there is quite an unfavourable
administrative and legal framework, especially the non-existence of tax and customs incentives
and subvention system for implementation of appropriate technologies. On the other hand, the
MEPP is still understaffed in relation to its legal mandate.
Financing appeared to be one of the biggest constraints for capacity building in the
environmental sector. However, in many cases financing is not a real constraint but rather a good
excuse. In order to overcome this, the NCSA has identified two goals: (1) improvement of the
national system of financing of the implementation of Rio Conventions, and (2) strengthening of
the capacity to access the funding mechanisms of the Rio Conventions and other environmental
conventions.
The present status of technologies used in the different sectors that address climate change,
biodiversity and land degradation/desertification is far from being satisfactory. Therefore, it has
been analysed as a priority issue and one objective defined as: (1) Capacity Building for
Technology Transfer. In-depth analysis has identified several constraints: a low level of
cooperation between the training centres and scientific community; insufficient engagement of
the experts from scientific and educational institutions by the ministries; inexistence of national
training and technology transfer centre; and, of course, a lack of funding.
One of the capacity deficit areas, where capacity building may provide a real breakthrough is in
the implementation of the global conventions, is the Institutional Mandate, Management
Capacity and Performance. Two major goals are set to be achieved: (1) strengthening of the
capacities of relevant institutions responsible for management with the resources in all of the
three thematic areas; and (2) improvement of institutional cooperation and coordination. One of
the main constraints for accomplishment of the first objective is the fact that the middle
management salaries are far from being commensurable with the similar positions in the private
sector. Therefore it is difficult to keep the experienced managers with knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, politics influences the civil servant employment policies, and hence, the
administration qualitative structure. In order to achieve the second objective, the legal
framework is a constraint, due to unclearly defined responsibilities of certain institutions, leading
to overlapping and gaps in the system.

38

The monitoring and data manage ment regarding the environmental area has been identified as
unsatisfactory. Two objectives have been identified: (1) improvement of monitoring and
observation systems; (2) improvement of data management systems. Although the monitoring
systems are not in a bad condition in comparison with the accomplishments in other
environmental areas, still they need a lot of improvement requiring increased financing both for
development and maintenance. There is very often a low institutional and individual awareness
on the importance of data. The second objective, improvement of data management systems can
only be achieved if many existing constraints are overcome, such as the efficiency of responsible
institutions, education and specialization on data management methodologies, extension and
automatization of the monitoring networks.
Public awareness and education is a capacity deficit area that is common for almost any
environmental issue. The three NCSA thematic areas are no exception to the rule, although
many topical activities have already been undertaken for awareness raising in the areas of
biodiversity and climate change. As a consequence of the previous actions, the expert team
identified two goals to be achieved in order to upgrade the capacity in the area of public
awareness and education; namely: (1) raising of public awareness with regard to global
conventions; and (2) improvement of education and training relevant to Rio Conventions. Mainly
the problems appear with the data collection, data reliability and validity, and the access to the
information, with the insufficient cooperation of the local governments, the private sector and the
industry with the non-governmental sector in development and implementation of environmental
projects and activities, and finally, with insufficient promotion of the topics from the three
thematic areas in the media. Even though the education system in Macedonia has made some
efforts to introduce environmental topics under the compulsory curriculum, there is still room for
improvement. Another constraint within this capacity deficit area is the lack of training courses
for all interested groups in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, b ut also the
lack of trained teachers and trainers in the three thematic areas.
The issue of scientific expertise is also an area with capacity deficit. The goal set to be achieved,
upgrading of scientific expertise and research is not an easy task, considering the numerous
constraints. These include: the insufficient funding of the scientific projects and research, the
lack of experts and the low level of contemporary knowledge in some specific areas, and a lack
of communication and cooperation between the stakeholders and scientific community.

39

V.2.

Opportunities for Environmental Capacity Building

Although the three thematic areas (biological diversity, climate change and land degradation)
seem quite different by their nature, they have a lot of common constraints and consequently
common opportunities for capacity building, in other words to overcome the constraints. These
opportunities should be looked for in the current processes and reforms in the country, then, into
the current and future projects in the area of environment and certainly into the possible projects,
which are identified within the framework of NCSA.
The principal strategic priority of the country is the integration into the European structures
with the ultimate goal of full EU membership. In this regard, of particular importance is good
knowledge of EU sectoral policies since the environmental area takes top place in the EU policy
over the next few years. One of the leading issues set before the Macedonian Government
deliberations certainly is the approximation of national legislation with the EU legislation. This
process is particularly important for the needs of building appropriate capacity to overcome the
constraints in the implementation of global environmental conventions. Namely, most of the
constraints which refer to: non-existence of legal provisions; insufficiently clear definitions;
overlapping of the responsibilities, etc.; could and should be removed right along with the
process of approximation of legislation. Furthermore, the process of European integration itself
initiates and supports numerous activities for capacity building which could be indirectly, albeit
in some cases directly, in function of the environmental capacity building.
Decentralization is the second great strategic priority of Macedonia that affects all activities and
represents a possibility, through the development of its environmental strategies, i.e. local
environmental action plans - LEAPs, to embed measures by which it will directly participate in
the implementation of the conventions. The Public administration reform itself does not imply
direct possibility for building of specific capacities for implementation of the global conventions.
However, the goals which need to be achieved with it (reorganization and training for increased
efficiency, transparency and capacity in general) will indirectly provide for overcoming of many
constraints which are identified within the NCSA process. For the purpose of capacity building
for implementation of the global conventions, of great importance are the countrys strategic
planning documents, and embedding of the priority issues of the three thematic areas in it. The
MEPP and the other relevant ministries have elaborated a number of strategic documents (Vision
2008, NEAP, NEAP 1, Physical Plan of Republic of Macedonia, BSAP, than sectoral strategies,
like Agriculture Development Strategy, Energy Efficiency Strategy in Macedonia till 2020 etc.),
but the number of documents planned to be developed in the next mid-term period is extensive.
Vision 2008 is a document that represents a road- map of the activities of this administration in
the next mid-term period. Elaboration of sectoral strategic planning documents is very
significant, like the Water Master Plan, Agricultural Strategy and others, but also update of the
existing ones is necessary. For example, in the water management sector of highest importance is
the Water Management Master Plan of the Republic of Macedonia, which implementation will
enable overcoming of larger number of constraints.
Environmental sector within the MEPP is yet the focal sector where one should look for and
find the opportunities for capacity building in the thematic areas. In this sense several on- going
and future projects are of particular interest for they could contribute at most for the overcoming
of the constraints in all areas of capacity deficit especially at systemic and institutional level.

40

Development of the Second National Environmental Action Plan, NEAP-2, aims to

contribute for the environmental and economically sustainable development of the
Republic of Macedonia, including the capacity building for implementation of the global
conventions.
Development of a National Plan and Feasibility Studies for Solid Wa ste Management'
will contribute in the implementation of the Climate Change Convention, but, also the
other two global conventions.
Preparation for the development of the Second National Communication for climate
changes has special importance since one of the objectives is to build the capacities for
appropriate implementation of the UNFCCC.
The BSAP has offered systemic solutions in line with the overcoming of the constraints
for implementation of the UNCBD, for which the Government has already designated a
special body.

The Republic of Macedonia with its status of the country in transition, receives bi- and
multilateral technical and financial assistance in the areas of environment, agriculture, forestry,
water management, but also in some others which indirectly could help in capacity building for
implementation of the three global conventions and in overcoming of the constraints for
implementation of the national priorities in the three thematic areas. In the area of national policy
the most important is to build the capacity to plan and prioritize.
In the area of legislation, it seems that things are moving the fastest forward due to
approximation of national legislation with the EU acquis communitaire. During 2004 the Law on
Waste, the Law on Nature Protection, and the Law on Air Quality were adopted, while the Law
on Environment and the Law on Water are presently in their final stages. In this area it shall be
very important to pay attention to the implementation of the new legislation. Regarding the
national and the international funding, individual and institutional capacity should be built for
preparation, promotion and implementation of projects in the three thematic areas, a system of
priorities and criteria for national funding of environmental p rojects, as well as to improve the
domestic contribution to international projects. Also the capacity and knowledge for accessing
international financing sources should be strengthened.
The area of Technology Transfer has a multisectoral character. Opportunities for capacity
building by technology transfer exist in the area of climate change, both for abatement of GHG
emission (new technologies, RES, energy efficiency, etc.) and in adaptation measures
(contemporary approaches and methods, use of traditiona l knowledge and experiences). The
technology transfer in the other environmental areas may directly and indirectly enhance the
capacity at all three levels: systemic, institutional and individual.
Institutional mandate, management capacity and performance comprise an area of capacity
deficit closely linked to the national policies and legislation. It is necessary to improve
particularly the mechanisms that will enable those institutions to exercise their responsibility,
and that include research and systematic observation in the environmental area, reconstruction
and rehabilitation of the monitoring networks, setting- up of systems for technical and personnel
strengthening of the institutions, etc.
The area of scientific expertise is very important for the environmental area. The activities that
have to be carried out should be in conjunction with introduction of competency criteria, public
awareness activities regarding the role of science, technology transfer activities, and the
activities regarding appropriate funding treatment in the budget.

41

V.3.

Macedonias Environme ntal Strategy and Action Plan

The Strategy and the Action Plan for the Environmental Capacity Development is based on the
results of the NCSA Final Report, as well as on a series of workshops with stakeholders. The
main objective of the Strategy is strengthening of the systemic, institutional and individual
capacities for imple mentation of the three global Rio Conventions. Therefore, the identified
capacity development objectives are the basic objectives of the Strategy. Achievement of the
main and the basic capacity development objectives are based on the strategic principles
emerging from the strategic principles of the three Rio Conventions:
National ownership and leadership;
Multi-stakeholder consultations and decision making;
Holistic/integrated approach to capacity building;
Integration of capacity building in wider efforts to achieve sustainable development;
Promotion of partnerships;
Dynamic nature of capacity building; and

-by-doing approach to capacity building.

Reaching the Overall Objective and the fifteen capacity development objectives will be realized
by implementation of the Action Plan for Capacity Development. The financial requirements for
implementation of the AP should primarily be provided from the National Budget, other national
financial sources, as well as the international sources, especially the UN conventions
mechanisms, primarily GEF. An important source of financing of activities may be the current
and already planned projects in the environmental and the related sectors.
The activities have been prioritized, and it is foreseen to be implemented within the period of
five years, from 2005 to 2009. The MEPP shall be the leading ministry for implementatio n of the
Strategy and Action Plan. However, due to complexity of the issues in the three Rio Conventions
and their inherence to other ministries, it is hereby recommended that the Government establish a
National Steering Committee, which would directly cooperate with each of the Conventions
National Committees. The MEPP shall continue to support the work of the Steering Committee
in the period of implementation of the Action Plan through a Working Group composed of the
three conventions focal points, who will also be members of the Steering Committee. This WG
may be logistically supported by the Sector for EU Integration within the MEPP.
All stakeholders should monitor the implementation of the plan. The process of monitoring and
evaluation will support the implementation of the activities identified within the NCSA report
and Action Plan as well as their periodical up-dating. The stakeholders shall continue their
cooperation in the monitoring and evaluation in order to guarantee wide acceptance of any
activity undertaken. The monitoring set- up should be organized and supported by the MEPP as a
central coordinating institution.
One of the mechanisms for evaluation of the implementation, apart from the Steering
Committee, will be the organization of workshops, where participants may review the plan of
actions and come up with new proposals, since the Action Plan should be a dynamic document,
which needs to be updated on a regular basis, to incorporate possible new developments in any
area.

42

VI.

Past, Present and Future Projects in the Environmental Sector

The environmental sector is still the central one where the opportunities for capacity building in
the thematic areas should be searched for and found. In that regard, several ongoing and future
projects are of particular interest, since they can mostly be productive in the elimination of the
constraints in all areas of capacity deficit, especially on a systemic and institutional level.
VI.1

Second National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP-2)

Within the EU assistance programme CARDS 2001 there is a project whose basic aim is
preparation of NEAP-2. Taking into consideration the general goal of the project is to contribute
to environmental and economic sustainable development of the Republic of Macedonia it is clear
that the potential of this strategic document for building capacities to implement the global
environmental conventions is very big. Of higher importance, at this moment, is that the
conclusions and recommendations of this report, as much as possible, be included in the NEAP-2
preparation and in its final document. Moreover, NEAP-2 anticipates being completely
compatible with the sixth Environmental Action Plan of EC, which means that at the same time
it has a function of EU integration, which, as said before, can very much contribute in the
building of congenial capacities and structures to implement the global environmental
conventions.

VI.2

Strengthening the Capacity of the MEPP (CMEPP)

This project is part of the EU PHARE 1999 programme, realized between June 2002 and August
2004. Although completed, this project by its results deserves to be mentioned in this Study. The
general aims were focused on adapting the Macedonian environmental legislation towards the
acquis communitaire; raising the environmental awareness; improving the communication;
developing of environmental monitoring and data management; and providing training for the
civil servants in the environmental area. It is evident that the projects general aims fully fit into
eliminating the environmental capacity constraints. The specific needs of NCSA Project have not
yet been fully encompassed within the CMEPP project, but on the other hand, they offer certain
opportunities within the frame of the project delivery, the document titled Vision 2008 which
determines strategic targets and objectives of the MEPPs action in the next short-term period.

VI.3

National Plan and Feasibility Studies for Solid Waste Management

The aim of this project, part of EU assistance programme CARDS 2001, is to develop
environmental and financial sustainable management of the solid waste in Macedonia and to help
in adapting towards the EU Framework Waste Management directive. The project consists of
two components, where one is focused on preparatio n of National Plan for Solid Waste
Management in Macedonia, while the other component is focused on preparation of a Feasibility
Study for regional solid waste management for three regions in Macedonia. Waste is a signifi
cant part in combating the climate changes and the successful realization of this project will
considerably contribute to the implementation of the Climate Change Convention. Meanwhile, it
will also help in the implementation of the two other global conventions, since it will allow
reducing of the pressure posed upon the biological diversity through uncontrolled solid waste
release from illegal landfills. In addition, it will help in reducing the land degradation caused by
the same illegal landfills.

43

VI.4

Second National Communication of the Republic of Macedonia

towards the Climate Change Convention

Macedonia submitted its First National Communication to the UNFCCC Secretariat in March
2003. Now, there is an ongoing project to support the activities in this area and arrangements for
preparation of the Second National Communication of the Republic of Macedonia, which is
financially supported by GEF and UNDP. This project has particular importance because it is
focused on one of the three thematic areas of this NCSA report. Moreover, the target is to build
capacities with commensurable implementation of the FCCC, meaning, the work can be
streamlined towards elimination of herewith- identified constraints. In this sense, it is necessary
that these two project teams closely cooperate and enable synergetic effects.

VI.5

National Strategy on Biodiversity

This project is also completed and financially assisted by GEF in cooperation with the World
Bank. Its target was to prepare a comprehensive country strategy for protection of the biological
diversity with an action plan, which was preceded by a Study on Assessment of the Biodiversity
Status and Needs Assessment. Within the projects framework there were awareness raising
campaigns and activities for establishing of the so-called clearing house mechanism for
information exchange. It is evident that this project gave remarkable opportunities for
implementation of activities in line for eliminating of the constraints for realization of the
Convention on the Biological Diversity.

VI.6

Protection of the Natural Lakes

The protection of the natural lakes in Macedonia is always amongst the top priorities of the
relevant sectors. Nevertheless, this does not mirror the results achieved. Activities that take
precedence are those focusing on Lake Ohrid, although in the last few years the activities have
been intensified on the remaining two natural lakes. What is characteristic of these efforts is their
comprehensiveness, i.e. the tendency to realize project activities that can be summarized as
integrated management and sustainable development. Activities carried out so far did not take
too much into account the implementation of the three global environmental conventions, subject
of this NCSA report, as a result of the overall attention given on the state level, but on the other
hand some were recently ratified (CCD for example).
Still, it should be noted that the activities actuated in this Project seriously take into account the
stipulations of the three conventions, maybe due to the fact that those are one of the criteria for
securing financial help of foreign donor funds, particularly the resources of GEF, but of the EU
too. In this regard, all ongoing and future activities, which will be realized in the context of the
protection and ecosystem management of the three natural lakes, could significantly contribute to
eliminating the environmental capacity constraints presented in this Study. Also, the realization
of these projects will in many ways contribute to the building of commensurable capacities for
implementation of the conventions. This particularly can be achieved in the area of
communication on an international, and before that, on a regional level, having in mind the fact
that all three natural lakes are cross-border. Further, there are exceptional opportunities to
strengthen the capacities for financing and usage of international financial funds, through
realization of these and similar projects.

44

VI.7

Other Inte rnational Technical and Financial Assistance

Being a country in transition, the Republic of Macedonia receives big resources for assistance in
the sectors of environment, agriculture, forestry, water economy, and also other resources that
indirectly can help in capacity building and elimination of the constraints for implementation of
the three global environmental conventions.
The EU CARDS Programme, as successor of the PHARE Programme, in the yearly national
plans since 2000, has regularly been allocating resources for the sectors of environment and
natural resources. This programme has so far offered possibilities for implementation of the
global environmental conventions and approximation with the EU standards and legislation;
moreover that was always one of the criteria for assistance granting. Two projects under CARDS
2001 have been mentioned above, while for CARDS 2003 the project on the River Vardar and
Lake Dojran Integrated Management has started in 2006. In the following period, this
programme will provide funds for further legislation approximation and for strengthening of the
capacities of the MEPP. In this regard, the MEPP should and must pay special attention for
inclusion in such projects, of elements that are identified in this Study as priority activities in the
capacity deficit areas.
German bilateral assistance in the environmental sector is also very important, moreover
because the technical assistance of the German government is subsequently complemented by
considerable financial assistance for implementation of the studies and strategies already
prepared. Along with that, this cooperation provides good possibilities for inclusive
implementation of the thematic priorities and eliminating the existing constraints, where in the
technical assistance phase there are possibilities for building of appropriate capacities for
implementation of the three conventions. Besides the direct assistance in the environmental
sector, the German cooperation is realized in the areas of agriculture and water economy, which
in a direct way can secure appropriate benefits. Regarding the process of decentralization, the
German assistance in the area of preparation and implementation of local environmental action
plans (LEAP) can be productive in the building of the appropriate institutional and personal
capacities on a local level, which, as is described above, will have in the next period a bigger
influence in the implementation of the international conventions at the national level.
Similarly there is the bilate ral coope ration with Swe den, which is more focused on the
agricultural sector and is more technical in its assistance. Yet, this can very much be used for the
building of capacities for implementation of the priority activities in the domain of land
degradation/desertification. These projects can also contribute to the elimination o f the
constraints existing in the area of information, development and transfer of technologies, etc.
Within the framework of Swedish cooperation in the context of removing capacity building
constraints in the thematic areas, a particularly important role may be played by the on- going
Project for preparation of the National Sustainable Development Strategy, started in 2006.
UNDP is amongst the most active donors in the areas that are the subject of the NCSA. In fact,
the NCSA project itself is implemented with the assistance of this UN agency. Although the
agency itself does not possess big possibilities for direct financial arrangements, it can largely
contribute in the building of the national capacities through securing of international expertise,
technology transfer, hi-tech scientific and technical information, etc. On the other hand, their
interest to help the local communities is directly in the function of helping the process of
decentralization, which will also help in the building of appropriate capacities on a local level.

45

VI.8

Possible Future Projects

Opportunities that have been identified within the framework of existing or already planned
programmes and projects are big in the function of necessary capacity building at the national,
but also at the local, level too, for implementation of the global conventions, i.e. the priorities in
the thematic areas. Yet, the biggest attention should be paid to the projects that could be
implemented in the next period and which will be most directly in the function of removing
constraints that exist and building the needed capacities.
The possible future projects in the environmental area in the Republic of Macedonia are
presented in the text to follow.

VI.8.1 National Policy

Two common goals are defined in this area characteristic for the environmental thematic areas.
Those are: (1) reaching effective national planning; and (2) mainstreaming of the biodiversity,
climate change and land degradation/desertification concerns within the strategic plans and
overriding priorities of the country economic and social development and poverty eradication.
Having in mind the hierarchical structure of the administration management, it seems that if
appropriate results are not achieved in the area of national po licy it would be difficult to
implement any activities in other areas. Namely, the most important is to build the capacity that
would have a capability to plan and prioritise. To achieve such objectives it is necessary to
develop a great number of national strategic documents for different segments of the thematic
areas whereby the best plans shall be made that could be implemental in the next mid- to longterm period in the Republic of Macedonia.
In this capacity deficit area the analysis shows that the b iggest attention should be paid to the
land degradation/desertification thematic area. This foremost is the result of the fact that this
convention is the latest to be ratified in Macedonia and little attention has been given to its
implementation. On the other hand, the administration had the least capacity, both institutional
and individual, that could cope with this issue, which traditionally, even in the past, was not
given enough time and attention in this country. The climate change thematic area is in a
somewhat better situation in this respect yet it needs serious activities in the course of providing
strategic documents. The situation is best with regards the biodiversity, which comes from
relatively well-developed institutional and individual capacities that need intensively to be
upgraded in the future.
Projects that in a synergetic sense could contribute utmost to capacity building and constraints
removal for implementation of global conventions are those which have an integral character and
rely on the principles of sustainability. In this sense, development of the environmental impact
assessment studies is of particular importance, as will be necessary to develop qualitative and
quantitative determination of the natural resources of the Republic of Macedonia as well to
elaborate integral programmes for use of natural resources, which, as sectoral analysis of present
state has shown, are used in a way that brings great damage to the environment as well as to the
countrys economy.

46

VI.8.2 Legal and Regulatory Frame work

In the area of legislation, it seems that things are moving the fastest forward. However, it needs
to be stressed that this is not happening due to the need of implementing global Rio conventions,
but due to the need and obligation for approximation of national legislation with the acquis
communitaire. Therefore within this capacity deficit area there would already be many of the
fastest moving projects that are underway or are planned to help in the creation of contemporary
so-called European legislation wherein all requirements arising from the global conventions are
fully taken into consideration. In this area it shall be very important to pay attention not so much
to the preparation of the new legislation, since the criteria are already set there, but rather to the
implementation thereof, since the analysis of present conditions in the thematic areas has shown
that is exactly the weakest link in the chain.

VI.8.3 Incentive Systems and Economic and Market Instruments

This area is identified as capacity deficit even at certain segments where it could be said that
practically there is no capacity. Therefore, only one problem-overcoming objective is set and that
is: development and introduction of incentive systems for promotion of Rio Conventions. That
would be possible to implement only if this current project for capacity self-assessment is
successfully implemented; after which it would be possible to proceed with the preparation of an
integral programme for the operation of the national committees for the three Rio Conventions,
which could have an influence on the appropriate inclusion of the thematic areas in the
development plans of other sectors.

VI.8.4 National and International Funding

The issue of financing is critical in every sector in the country and therefore neither of the
conventions implementation is an exception. In this area where definitely capacity is missing,
not only in a sense of money shortage but capacity for creation of such mechanisms and their
implementation in practice, two priorities are set: (1) improvement of national funding systems
for conventions implementation; and (2) enabled and/or improved access to international funding
mechanisms for conventions related activities.
Achievement of the first priority is closely related with the previous capacity deficit area and
therefore it is necessary that any kind of activities in this respect be synchronized. With regard to
the second priority the situation is a little bit different since the international mechanisms exist or
will be established in the future and here Macedonia cannot influence anything particular as a
country except, of course, within the framework of established rules in the international
relations. What needs to be done is certainly the necessity of building individual and institutional
capacity that would at best be able to understand and fulfil the requirements defined as criteria
for access to the international funds, and further the capacity for preparation of appropriate
project documents. In this respect, it seems that Macedonia is missing a strategic document
where the principles and countrys priorities in international cooperation in the domain of
environment will be specified, where the three thematic areas too, will find appropriate place.

47

VI.8.5 Technology Transfer

The area that seems to have the biggest capacity deficit is technological development, i.e.
technology transfer. This area for the reason that is characteristic for other sectors in the country
too has the most multisectoral character and therefore the opportunities for capacity building
could be very big if appropriately treated in all sectors. Although Macedonia does not have the
possibility to allocate funding for development of domestic technologies, of great concern is the
fact that large numbers of young and highly educated people leave the country and go abroad, in
particular during the last decade. This process of brain drain especially those from the natural
and technical sciences should be immediately put on hold and therefore the country has as soon
as possible to develop a strategy on how to do that.
Further on, opportunities for overcoming the capacity deficit in this area exist in the development
of infrastructure that will provide continuous training and technology transfer, particularly in the
direction of so-called environmentally friendly technologies. Also, it is necessary within the
framework of international systems to understand well the opportunities for exchange of experts
and technology transfer, which exist within the three Rio conventions and for which the special
funds have been established, which would mean that there is close relation between this and the
area of international funding that was also identified as a capacity deficit area.

VI.8.6 Institutional Mandate, Management Capacity and Performance

This thematic area is closely linked to the national policies and legislation. Namely, the
institutions draw their mandate from the legally designated responsibilities, based on which they
need to establish and develop appropriate organizational structures, including managerial.
Therefore, the solution of the capacity deficit in this area must be implemented in coordination
with the solution of the problems in these two areas. The key objectives that need to be achieved
to build capacity in the domain of institutional mandate and management capacity are: (1)
strengthening of the capacity of the relevant institutions; and (2) improvement of institutional
cooperation and coordination.
Above it has already been explained that the process of European integration indirectly, i.e. with
the approximation of legislation, will contribute to the development of appropriate institutions by
precise definition of their mandate, i.e. responsibility as well for enhancement of the individual
capacity, which includes management too.
Yet, for strengthening the capacity of the institutions it will not be enough just to organize them
in a contemporary way and staff them with quality personnel. It will be necessary to improve
particularly the systems that will enable those institutions to exercise their responsibility, and
that include research and systematic observation in the three thematic areas, reconstruction and
rehabilitation of the monitoring networks, setting-up of systems for technical and personnel
strengthening of the institutions, etc.
Institutional cooperation and coordination is one of the most important factors for success in the
areas that have a multisectoral character. Therefore it requires formalizing an appropriate
infrastructure that will provide for unconstrained cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination,
but that at the same time will promote international cooperation through involvement in the
regional and other international networks for acquisition and exchange of data and information.

48

VI.8.7 Monitoring and Data Management

In this capacity deficit area two development objectives that should enable capacity building,
have been identified as follows: (1) improvement of monitoring systems; and (2) improvement of
data management systems. The Environmental Monitoring Strategy, developed within the
framework of the EU financed PHARE project Strengthening the Capacity of the MEPP,
concluded that this area is one of the most advanced in the environmental sector, but on the other
hand it identifies a great number of obstacles agreed upon by the analysis made within the NCSA
process too. The situation in the segment of the data management is similar too (Strategy for
Environmental Data Management as a result of the above- mentioned Project). Hence, within
the above- mentioned project, two very important strategies for environmental monitoring and for
data management have been developed, wherein detailed recommendations for further
development of these segments are given, which directly or indirectly include the three thematic
areas of NCSA too. What remains to be done is to fully take into consideration the NCSA
conclusions when implementing the two above- mentioned strategic documents.

VI.8.8 Public Awareness and Education

This is another area where identified capacity deficit confirms previous analysis and research,
made within the framework of other projects, for the level of public awareness of the
environment in general. As a result of the analysis made by the experts who worked on different
thematic areas, two development goals are designated that would help in removing constraints
and capacity building for the implementation of the three global Rio conventions. The first goal
is (1) improvement of public awareness relating to Rio Conventions, while the second is (2)
improvement of the education and training relevant to Conventions. Having in mind that the
above- mentioned project Strengthening the Capacity of the MEPP has developed the strategy
on public awareness raising, complemented by the strategy on communication, the same
conclusion emerges again and again: that the accomplishment of the proposed activities by the
NCSA should be in the context of the implementation of these two strategies. The MEPP should
perform activities that would be specifically directed towards the presentations of the three Rio
conventions, obligations coming from them and the way in which these should be fulfilled in
practice should be continued with.

VI.8.9 Scientific Expertise

The area of scientific expertise is a very specific one by the character and its identification as a
capacity deficit area is distinct which has great importance for the environmental area. Analysis
shows different levels of the environmental scientific expertise, with a single conclusion that
further development, i.e. enhancement of the expertise and research, is necessary. This
development objective however is distinct also because the administration alone could do little
for the improvement of the situation without active involvement of the higher educational
institutions in the country that need to understand the meaning of this issue and appropriately
organize themselves for capacity building. This means that the activities needed to be undertaken
for capacity building in this area are closely linked or in other words they are preceded by the
activities for raising public awareness regarding the role of science, but also by the transfer of
technology, appropriate funding treatment in the budget, etc.

49

VII.

Conclusions

This Survey presents the existing guidelines from the corresponding Reports of the Macedonias
Ministries responsible for the environmental issues: namely, the Ministry of Environment and
Urban Planning (MEPP), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE),
Ministry of Economy (ME), Ministry of Education and Science (MES).
On the base of this Survey, as well as the academic visits from the Macedonias Universities to
the EU DEREL Universities, the expertise of the DEREC academic staff, and the questionnaires
filled in by relevant industry and non-governmental organizations, the DEREL Consortium will
define the DEREL second cycle study program in environmental and resources engineering, on
the base of identified specific problems and needs on which the DEREL project should focus.
Water and air pollution control, as well as soil erosion and waste removal, are challenges that
have impacts on all aspects of everyday life. Therefore, a topic oriented education and training
on the above mentioned fields is the essential prerequisite in mastering with them.
Environmental engineers apply science and technology to manage natural resources (water, air,
soil, etc.), and to control contaminants that threaten environmental quality. Nowadays
environmental engineers have to ensure vital natural resources needed to sustain human
existence, to develop rural and urban communities and to improve the quality of life.
Consequently engineering solutions to the challenges of the environmental protection require a
broad-based approach to teaching and research issues.
The state authorities in Macedonia recognize the significance of all these environmental and
natural resources engineering issues. Namely, the environment and nature protection is a
constitution category in Macedonia, and the current environmental policy follows the guidelines
of the European Union, attempting to adapt them to the specific circumstances. Macedonias
Law on Environment and Nature Protection and Improvement (adopted in 1996), is an essential
frame mainly based on the right of each citizen to a healthy environment, as well as on the
obligation to protect everything that exists in our environment. This Law contains also
economical instruments: an Environmental Fund was established and it is fed with
environmental taxes paid by users of natural resources, who degrade the environment, on the
basis of "polluter pays" principle. The financing of some environmental issues is settled with the
funds from the Environmental Fund, the Macedonian central Government, as well as with the
support provided by EU institutions (PHARE/CARDS), EU Governments (Germany,
Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy), Japan and the World Bank. The National Environment Action
Plan (NEAP) was adopted with financial support of the World Bank, as a basis to all activities
aimed to the environmental protection, with priorities set up in 11 areas (water, air, waste, land,
forest, noise, etc.). Public opinion is present in all segments and stages of the decision-making
process. This is foreseen in the existing legislation and regulations, especially in the Law on
Environmental Impact Assessment that is drafted and put in procedure within the Macedonian
Government and the Parliament. An Environmental Information Centre was also established in
order to provide all relevant environmental information to interested users.

50

On the contrary of the State efforts to enhance the significance of the environmental issues, at the
present moment the higher education institutions in Macedonia do not offer any integral
environmental and resources engineering curriculum. There are some higher education
environmental and resources engineering courses covered by the corresponding Faculties, but
nowadays in the Macedonias higher education system there is not a complete environmental and
resources engineering curriculum at all. Eight years ago the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
at the University Sts Cyril and Methodius in Skopje organized and led interd isciplinary
environmental engineering studies that produced six generations of graduated students in the
environmental sciences, but now these interdisciplinary studies do not exist any more. Taking
into account the actual environmental policy established and led by the corresponding Ministries
in the Macedonia, as well as its intention for closer association to the EU, there is a necessity of
development of a new, modern, integral interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum in
environmental and natural resources engineering. The graduated environmental and natural
resources engineers will have several possibilities for their employment due to the expected
Macedonia approaching and adaptation to the European laws aimed to environmental and natural
resources protection. Following the guidelines from the European Union, each local selfgovernment community unit in the Macedonia should have employers with responsibility to
work on environmental and resources engineering issues. For example, after the Decentralization
Process that is already finished, according to the Local Self- Government Law, each local selfgovernment community unit is asked to prepare a Local Ecological Action Plans (LEAP). The
Macedonia industry and agriculture also need well educated environmental and resources
engineers able to develop and maintain technological and production processes taking into
account the satisfaction of the environmental protection law obligations.
According to the Macedonia Government Department for the European Inte gration, the
educational system and the environmental protection are among the most significant priorities
for the Macedonia integration into the European Union and this TEMPUS Joint European Project
is focused on both these priorities.
There are several running and future environmental projects in the Macedonia: (i) National
Ecological Action Plan (NEAP) in the framework of the CARDS 2001 program; (ii)
Strengthening of the capacities of the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning (EU PHARE
program from 1999); (iii) National Plan and Feasibility Study for Solid Waste Control; (iv)
Protection of Natural Lakes; (v) Strategy for Biological Diversity (funded by the Global Ecology
Fund and the World Bank); (vi) Intensifying of the Financing of the Climate Changes Activities,
etc. The Macedonia has signed 3 Rio conventions on the environmental issues, that is, UNCBD
(UN Convention on Biodiversity), UNCCD (UN Convention on Combating Desertification),
UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). For implementation of these
conventions, the Macedonia needs well prepared environmental and natural resources
engineering experts. The Report of the Macedonia National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA)
for Global Environmental Control also stresses the lack of qualified environmental and natural
resources engineering staff .
It may be concluded that there is a clear necessity to introduce into the Macedonia higher
education system one modern, interdisciplinary integral undergraduate curriculum in
environmental and natural resources engineering.

51