Third workshop for the development of the Regional Waste Management Plan for the Pelagonija and South-west regions / Notum Technologies

On June 11-12, 2026, in Ohrid, the third workshop for developing the new Regional Waste Management Plan (RWMP) for the Pelagonija and South-west regions took place, attended by representatives from all 18 municipalities across both regions as well as civil society organizations.

The workshop marked a continuation of the preparation process for the RWMP 2027-2032, focusing on Inter-municipal cooperation, financial sustainability, communication, public engagement, and gender perspectives within the planning and implementation process.

During the workshop, participants addressed the role of Inter-municipal cooperation in establishing and operating the regional waste management system. Discussions covered the roles of municipalities, public utility companies, and regional bodies, alongside opportunities to leverage Inter-municipal cooperation mechanisms for enhanced coordination and RWMP implementation.

Special attention was given to the financial and economic aspects of the regional system, including operational costs, service sustainability, tariffs, financial mechanisms, and investment needs for infrastructure and equipment.

Communication strategies for RWMP implementation were also a key focus. During this session, participants examined the role of public awareness and citizen involvement, discussing communication as a critical implementation component, key target groups, behaviours to encourage through targeted messaging, and ways municipalities, public utility companies, and civil society organizations can collaborate to foster behaviour change and build trust.

Additionally, the workshop addressed gender perspectives in service planning and delivery, highlighting gender-disaggregated data collection as an important element of the process.

This third workshop represents another milestone in the collaborative effort to develop the RWMP 2027-2032, aimed at translating regional priorities and goals into concrete, coordinated, and achievable actions at both local and regional levels.

The development process of the regional waste management plan for the Pelagonija and South-west regions is supported by Sustainable municipal waste management services project, funded by Sweden and implemented by SALAR International.

Additionally, the workshop addressed gender perspectives in service planning and delivery, highlighting gender-disaggregated data collection as an important element of the process.