EUROTHINK ORGANIZES FIVE THEMATIC FORUMS, REGIONAL DEBATE ON THE EUROPEAN AGENDA

Between May and June 2025, Eurothink – Center for European Strategy organized five thematic forums across several planning regions in North Macedonia, aiming to strengthen public debate on regional challenges and European integration.

In the Pelagonia Planning Region, discussions focused on waste management in the context of regional systems, highlighting the importance of inter-municipal cooperation and the need for investments in sustainable infrastructure.

In the Southwest Planning Region, in Struga, the forums addressed climate change and environmental issues, particularly under Chapter 27 of the EU accession negotiations, emphasizing the lack of local capacity to implement concrete environmental protection measures.

In the Southeast Planning Region, the focus was on the use of cross-border EU funds for local economic development, mentioning cooperation with Bulgaria as a potential model.

The forum in the Vardar Planning Region, in Veles, explored challenges in social policies and opportunities for the inclusion of youth and vulnerable groups in the labor market.

Meanwhile, the forum held in Berovo, in the Eastern Planning Region, addressed social policies and promoted employment through inclusive and decentralized approaches.

All forums highlighted the need for broad institutional cooperation, improved regional coordination, strengthening of local capacities, and more effective use of EU funding instruments, aiming to build sustainable policies and balanced regional development.