A Month of Progress – Local Actions Driving Regional Waste Management Reform in North Macedonia
Throughout May 2025, the “Sustainable Municipal Waste Management Services” project, supported by Sweden and implemented by SALAR International, marked a month of active engagement, infrastructure development, and cross-border learning, all aimed at accelerating the rollout of the Regional Waste Management System (RWMS) in North Macedonia.
From Local Action in Ohrid to Regional Transformation
The month began in Ohrid with a workshop focused on waste collection centres – an essential component of the RWMS. Representatives from pilot municipalities in the Southwest and Pelagonija regions (including Bitola, Prilep, Ohrid, Kičevo, and Plasnica) joined Swedish waste management experts to learn about the planning, logistics, and community engagement strategies involved in operating modern waste collection centres.
The workshop emphasised that collection centres are not just infrastructure - they are also a service improvement. They reduce illegal dumping, improve recycling rates, and ensure legal compliance by supporting the mandate of having one centre per 30,000 residents. Participants left with a clear framework to begin improving local collection services through better planning, stronger inter-municipal collaboration, and citizen-focused delivery.
Waste Separation Takes Off in Ohrid
During May, the waste separation initiative in Ohrid reached full implementation. A field visit and media event marked the completion of a major rollout of 120-liter waste bins for selection of plastic and paper. The initiative, carried out jointly by local authorities, the municipal utility, waste experts, and citizens’ initiative “Zbogum Bukovo,” demonstrated the effectiveness of community-driven action.
Local leaders emphasized that sustainable waste practices are most impactful when they begin at the community level. The initiative also showcased that investment in sustainable waste management is not only an ecological necessity, but also a step forward for public health, community involvement, and local governance.
The successful rollout reinforces the RWMS’s promise: closing illegal dumpsites, establishing regional landfills, and modernizing waste infrastructure can bring North Macedonia closer to EU environmental standards. Without these reforms, the country risks deeper environmental degradation, rising health risks, and significant long-term costs.
Regional Knowledge, Regional Results
The month culminated with the two-day study visit to Cajetina, Serbia (May 14–15). There, municipal representatives from twelve North Macedonia municipalities learned how local-level investment and vision can transform waste management services and drive development. Participants witnessed the transformation of the public utility “Zlatibor,” which today operates independently, sustainably, and with high public trust.
Cajetina’s success is rooted in strong municipal governance, institutional capacity, and active citizen engagement, an encouraging signal for North Macedonia’s own efforts under the RWMS framework.
Moving Forward
May 2025 demonstrated a step forward in reaching the momentum behind North Macedonia’s waste management reform agenda. From workshops and field visits to international study tours, the month’s activities showed that systemic change is possible, and already underway.
But the road ahead requires continued commitment: from municipalities, public utilities, civil society, and above all, the public. The RWMS is not just about building landfills—it’s about building trust, capacity, and a cleaner, healthier future for all.