Implementer: LAG Plackovica
Overall Goal and Project Results: The project aims to strengthen the resilience of the municipalities of Konce, Karbinci, Radovis, and Stip to wildfire risks by building the capacities of local stakeholders, improving coordination, and increasing community awareness and preparedness. As a result, local actors enhanced their knowledge and skills in wildfire management, cooperation among local, regional, and national institutions was strengthened, and communities became better informed and prepared for wildfire risks. In addition, local structures such as committees and task forces were established to ensure continued and coordinated wildfire management efforts.
Scope and Beneficiaries: The project is implemented in North Macedonia, covering the territory of LAG Plackovica. It targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including municipal authorities, local government officials, firefighters and emergency responders, community leaders, volunteers, local NGOs, and residents of high wildfire-risk areas. Agricultural and forestry workers, as well as the wider population of the municipalities, are also directly involved, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to wildfire prevention and management.
Activities: In the initial phase, introductory meetings were held with mayors and municipal focal points in all the included municipalities, resulting in the establishment of a joint steering committee to guide and coordinate project activities. Coordination meetings with municipal authorities, emergency services, and local institutions strengthened cooperation in wildfire prevention and response, while a structured needs assessment identified key challenges and gaps in landscape fire management across the four municipalities. A key milestone was a regional workshop in Stip, bringing together over 40 stakeholders from municipalities, national institutions, NGOs, and academia. The workshop confirmed a shared commitment to develop a Regional Landscape Fire Prevention and Management Plan, supported by analysis of current practices. In the final stage of the project, priorities from the Management plan will be implemented in cooperation with the four municipalities.
At the beginning of 2026, the volunteer fire department “Bargala” was established, which will be providing an organized, trained, and supported structure to improve prevention, rapid response, and the region’s resilience to fire risks to the local community.
Duration: 02.12. 2024 – 02.06. 2026
Budget: CHF 38.510
