Zhelino and Gramsh Sign a Memorandum of Cooperation for a Joint Project Application

On 12th of November 2026, in Struga, at the premises of the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) of the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation 

Programme North Macedonia – Albania, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Municipality of Zhelino and the Municipality of Gramsh.

The Memorandum was signed by the Mayor of Zhelino, Blerim Sejdiu, and the Mayor of Gramsh, Besian Ajazi.

The joint project application will, among other activities, address early warning systems for monitoring and protecting natural heritage.

The meeting was organised and supported by the Centre for Development of the Polog Planning Region (CRD Polog), as the organisation responsible for preparing the application.

The Center for Development of the Polog Planning Region, led by Director Fatmir Saiti, held a workshop with representatives of the Local Economic Development (LED) and Investments and Infrastructure Sectors from the municipalities of the Polog region. The workshop presented the findings of the final evaluation of the 2021-2026 Regional Development Program for the Polog Planning Region, as well as the directions for the new Program for the 2027-2031 period.

The main results of the evaluation were presented by external expert Viktor Stojanovski, followed by a discussion on the level of implementation of the planned activities and confirmation of project status by municipality. In the second part, led by expert Shenasi Memishi, the framework of the new 2027-2031 Program was presented, with an emphasis on priorities for economic development and small and medium enterprises, rural development and tourism, the environment, energy, and digital transformation.

Through a survey conducted among the municipalities, water supply and sewage, waste management, and road infrastructure were identified as the most urgent priorities, while the shortage of professional staff in municipal administrations was highlighted as the biggest challenge.

The Center for Development of the Polog Planning Region continues preparing the new Program, in cooperation with the municipalities and with the support of external experts.