CALL for funding Project Proposals for reducing disparities between and within the planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness for 2026, by individual measures and activities for balanced regional development
Based on Article 58 of the Law on Balanced Regional Development (Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No. 24/2021, 174/2021 and 241/2024)
The Ministry of Local Self-Government announces an OPEN PUBLIC CALL for financing Project Proposals for reducing disparities between and within planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness for 2026, for individual measures and activities for balanced regional development
- SUBJECT OF THE OPEN CALL The subject of the open call is the allocation of funds for financing projects, with the aim of reducing disparities between and within the planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness, as set out in the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2026. The aim of this open call is to allocate funds to those Project Proposals whose implementation will contribute to reducing the differences in the level of development between and within the planning regions, strengthening regional competitiveness, through the realization of their own development potential at the local level. Within the framework of this open call, projects that are in line with the priority measures and activities for reducing the differences in the level of development between and within the planning regions and for increasing regional competitiveness, and which arise from the priorities set out in the planning documents for regional development, will be financially supported. In 2026, priority activities and measures are as follows: - development of contemporary and modern infrastructure in the planning regions; - recognition and exploitation of competitive advantages in the planning regions and - improvement of energy efficiency of public buildings/use of renewable energy sources.
- AMOUNT OF FUNDS The total amount of funds for financing projects for reducing disparities between and within the planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness, in accordance with Article 3 paragraph (1) line 1 of the Program for Reducing Disparities Between and Within the Planning Regions and Increasing Regional Competitiveness for 2026 (“Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia” No. 29/2026 of 12.02.2026) is set at 74,840,000 denars.
- BENEFICIARIES OF THE FUNDS
The right to submit project proposals for reducing disparities between and within planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness is reserved for the Centers for Development of Planning Regions, municipalities, municipalities in the City of Skopje, the City of Skopje, public enterprises and public institutions established by the state, municipalities, municipalities in the City of Skopje and the City of Skopje, higher education and scientific institutions and associations. All interested beneficiaries, as drivers and bearers of the necessary changes in economic, social and other development activities, are invited to submit their requests for project financing, in accordance with the priority activities and measures of the Program for Reducing Disparities Between and Within Planning Regions and Increasing Regional Competitiveness for 2026 and the purpose of this open public call.
• CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE PROJECT PROPOSAL
1) Justification of the Project Proposal in terms of compliance with the priority measures and activities, in accordance with the Program for Reducing Disparities Between and Within the Planning Regions and Increasing Regional Competitiveness for 2026.
2) Financial capacity of the applicant of the Project Proposal.
3) Sustainability of the expected results of the Project Proposal.
4) Impact on the population at the local level
5) Activities required for the implementation of the Project Proposal.
6) The dynamics of the implementation of the Project Proposal.
7) The adequacy of the indicators specified in the Project Proposal with the results and objectives of the Project Proposal.
• METHOD OF EVALUATION OF PROJECT PROPOSALS
The method and methodology for evaluating Project Proposals is carried out in accordance with the Rulebook on the Method and Methodology for the Evaluation of Project Proposals (Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia, No. 62/21)
• DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROJECT PROPOSALS
Applicants should submit their proposals for financing Project Proposals for reducing disparities between and within planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness to the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Blvd. Ss. Cyril and Methodius, no. 54, Skopje.
In two original application forms (downloaded from the website www.mls.gov.mk) and in electronic form on a USB stick-external memory (scanned original form PDF and Word document), from the date of publication of this public call on the website of the Ministry.
No other form of electronic record, except a USB stick-external memory with the accompanying documentation, will be accepted. The deadline for submitting applications for funding of Proposals – projects for reducing disparities between and within planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness lasts throughout 2026, until the funds specified in Article 3 paragraph (1) line 1 of the Program for reducing disparities between and within planning regions and increasing regional competitiveness for 2026 are used up. The evaluation of the received Project Proposals begins after the expiration of the 15-day period from the publication of the public call and is carried out throughout the entire budget year, according to the dynamics of the collection of Project Proposals, and in accordance with Articles 58 and 59 of the Law on Balanced Regional Development (Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No. 24/2021, 174/2021 and 241/2024).
The application form for disparities is at the following link: otvoren-javen-povik-dispariteti-2026-godina-file-6hC9.pdf
Ministry of Local Self-Government
Minister
MSc Zlatko Perinski