North Macedonia: From Fragmentation to Cooperation in Waste Management
Recently, the Forum on Regional Waste Management “Together for a Waste-Free Region: Towards a Functional and Sustainable Regional System,” was held in Skopje, North Macedonia. The forum focused on strengthening the regional waste management system in the Pelagonia and South‑West regions and marked an important step towards a modern, functional and sustainable system with better services for citizens and stronger environmental protection.
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Landfill in Debar
Where does North Macedonia’s waste management system stand today, how has SALAR International supported its development in the Pelagonia and South-West regions, and what needs to be prioritised next?
A system at a turning point
Waste management in North Macedonia has long been shaped by fragmentation. Municipalities have largely operated on their own, often without sufficent scale, technical capacity or financial resources to deliver reliable services. Recycling rates have remained low, non‑compliant landfills have continued to operate, and public trust in waste services has been weak.
At the same time, the country’s EU accession process has brought both pressure and opportunity. While national legislation is broadly aligned with EU environmental standards, putting those rules into practice, at local level, has proved more challenging.
Decentralisation has given municipalities a central role in waste management, but not always the tools to succeed. Limited staffing, weak fee collection systems and tariffs that do not reflect real costs have made it difficult to improve service, reinforcing a cycle of low performance and low public confidence.
Yet momentum has gradually been building. More municipalities are recognising that isolated local solutions are no longer sustainable.
Supporting the shift to cooperation
SALAR International has supported North Macedonian municipalities during this transition, moving from fragmentation to cooperation. The support has centred on turning national and regional ambitions into locally owned, practical steps.
Across 15 municipalities, Local Action Plans have been developed to translate strategies into concrete actions adapted to local realities. Mayors, municipal staff and public utility companies have participated in capacity building, mentoring and peer learning.
Exchange with practitioners has played an important role, particularly through study visits to Swedish municipalities and public utilities, as well as regional peers. The Swedish experience has provided a strong reference point—not as a model to copy, but as an example of how long‑term policy, inter‑municipal cooperation, clear responsibilities and strong public trust can enable municipalities to deliver reliable, citizen‑focused waste services.
Tools and methodologies have also been developed to support planning, implementation and decision‑making, helping municipalities move from ad hoc solutions to more structured approaches. A key step in the journey has been the establishment of Regional Waste Management Boards, signalling growing municipal ownership of the reform process.
What has changed so far
The reform is still underway, but important changes are already visible. Municipalities now have clearer roadmaps for implementation, and regional structures are beginning to take decisions collectively, including initiating updated regional waste management plans.
Capacity among municipal administrations and public utility companies has strengthened, particularly in governance, financing and operational planning. At the same time, municipalities have started to engage citizens through awareness campaigns, school programmes and pilot initiatives in waste separation—early but essential steps towards building trust and participation.
These developments mark a gradual shift from planning towards implementation.
The road ahead: priorities for the coming years
To achieve a fully functional and EU‑compliant system, several priorities will be critical in the coming years:
- Inter‑municipal cooperation must move from planning to full implementation, with regional structures becoming operational and effective
- Citizen engagement needs to be scaled up, as participation is essential for separating waste, paying for services and supporting reform
- Financial sustainability must be strengthened through realistic tariffs and improved collection systems
- EU accession should be used strategically, as a driver for reform and institutional strengthening—not only compliance
- Governance and accountability must remain central, with clear roles, strong ownership and effective checks and balances
A journey still in motion
North Macedonia’s experience shows that sustainable waste management reform is not achieved overnight. It requires patience, cooperation and local ownership.
The transition from fragmentation to cooperation is still unfolding, but the direction is clear—something strongly underlined at the recent forum in Skopje. SALAR International will continue to support North Macedonia on its journey towards a modern, sustainable and EU‑aligned waste management system.
