The project aims are to support the North Macedonia in establishment of the regional waste management structure in the East and North-East Regions. To achieve its aims, the Project will be implemented through the following main activities:
• Development and implementation of Regional Waste Management Public Awareness Program and Campaign that will support the implementation of the Regional waste management system in the E&NE Regions. The activity will cover an assessment of the current level of public awareness regarding waste management in E&NE regions. In accordance to this it shall develop a Regional Waste Management Public Awareness Program and deliver a Public Awareness Campaign for a period of at least 6 months that will support the implementation of the Regional Waste Management System in the E & NE Regions, including monitoring of the impact of the Public Awareness Campaign.
• Revision of existing Regional Waste Management Plans (RWMPs) for E&NE Regions and preparation of SEA for the plans. The activity will cover an assessment of the status and the content of the exiting RWMPs and the SEAs for the E & NE Regions and Public consultation procedure implemented with at least 9 meetings held with relevant stakeholders where RWMPs and SEAs for E&NE Regions will be presented. Also, Revision and updating of the RWMPs and preparation of SEAs for the plans for E&NE Regions will be done with provided support for the adoption of the RWMPs of E&NE Regions.
• Development of formal and professional institutional arrangements for the Inter-Regional Waste Management Enterprise (IRWME) and the Regional Waste Management Centres (RWMC) for the East and North-East Regions. This activity shall produce an assessment of the legal framework for establishment of the IRWME and RWMCs for East and North-East (E&NE) Regions, assessment of the existing administrative and financial capacity and future needs for successful and efficient operation of IRWME and RWMCs and develop an organizational structure, operational legal and financial documents, including a tariff calculation model for successful and efficient operation of IRWME and RWMCs. Also shall conduct training needs assessment and development of training program and modules for operation of the IRWME. Within the activity municipal agreements for cooperation with IRWME, including tariff setting, for operation of the inter regional waste management system will be deliverd, as well as procedural guidance’s for operation and financial management of the IRWME and support to the staff of IRWME for operating and managing the IRWME within the duration of the project.
• Strengthening the capacity of the Public Communal Enterprises (PCE) in 18 municipalities for collection and transport of the waste to the transfer stations/regional center in E&NE regions. The activity shall focus on assessment of the capacity and legal and organizational structures within the existing PCE in 18 municipalities in the E&NE regions to successfully deliver efficient operations undertaken, including waste collection, communication with citizens and the management of closed landfills and dumpsites in line with the RWMPs in E&NE regions and assessment of the existing PCEs waste collection routes and collection frequencies and development of route optimisation processes for the PCEs as well as collection and delivery points and collection frequency in the E&NE Regions shall be delivered, to show the financial and environmental benefits of a shared service approach. Also, within the activity an organizational structure and supporting operational documentation for PCEs in E&NE Regions including contract procurement and contract management procedures shall be prepared, as well as training needs assessment and training program, delivery of trainings for PCE in the E&NE regions for successful operation of the regional waste management system will be proceeded.
• Supporting the RWMCs, SEI and municipalities regarding improvements to deliver effective and efficient management, inspection, enforcement and supervision of the implementation of the regional waste management system in E&NE regions. The activity shall focus on assessment of the existing municipal waste management planning documents (plans and programs) and the level of their implementation in E&NE regions. The activity shall asses existing municipal administrative capacity, practice, procedures and legal framework for inspection, enforcement and supervisions in waste management in the E&NE Regions, including an assessment of organisational structures of the municipalities and a possibility for cooperation and establishment of join organizational structure and develop a municipal waste management programs for 18 municipalities with financial arrangement for their implementation in line with the RWMPs for E&NE regions. Moreover, the activity shall propose measures for strengthening administrative capacities of the municipal inspectorate in relation to the inspection, enforcement and supervision of waste facilities in the E&NE regions via trainings delivery and production of a professional guidance manual for municipal inspectors and misdemeanour procedure and Plan for Strengthening Administrative Capacities for Regional Waste Management in E&NE regions, including. Also, within the activity a set of recommendations in relation to organisational structures, staffing capacity, trainings and improved cooperation between State and municipal inspectorates for waste management in the E&NE Regions, including recommendations on the role of the RWMCs in this cooperation, reporting procedures and the protocols for applying for Misdemeanour Procedures shall be prepared. The activity shall focus on organization and implementation of two study visits to EU member states to exchange experience and become acquainted with the management and operation of regional waste management systems and conduct training needs assessment for RWMCs and municipal inspections, enforcement and supervision of the implementation of the regional waste management system in E&NE regions.