The municipalities in the country are experiencing a process of transition that was initiated by the decentralization process and the responsibilities that have been decentralized from the central to the local government. The right to decision making for issues of local importance is guaranteed to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia in the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Accordingly, the 2002 Law on Local Self-Government has significantly increased the scope of competencies given to the local self-government units. The new competencies delegated from the central government required different and improved organizational structure and superior management approaches which indeed leads to the essential need for capacity building interventions.

Furthermore, the decentralisation at local level constantly requires innovative solutions to work directly with municipalities in addressing the issues of efficiency and cost-effectiveness of service delivery. Moreover, one of the crucial competences is the wide inclusion of the citizens and the civil sector in the processes of municipal management. Recognizing this, the Center for Institutional Development (CIRa) actively started to design and implement community development projects in order to support and assist the Local-self government units in coping with the challenges of the decentralization process and meeting the goals of sustainable local development.

Specifically, CIRa works on improving citizens’ lives through initiating and implementing participative processes for local community development through implementation of the several Community Action Planning (CAP) Models (Community Forum, LEAP, CAP for Rural Communities, etc.). Within these processes, individuals, formal and informal groups, institutions and organisations on a local level undertake responsibility to make decisions and implement their ideas in creating a better place for living for their community.

Parts of this Program are a component for Alternative & Sustainable Tourism Development and Rural Development. Crosscutting and other CIRa’s program focuses on:

• Providing support to marginalised groups
• Inter-ethnic cohesion and minority issues
• Youth issues
• Gender issues

See more here: Community Development 2009-2011