Overview

Macedonia has the challenge of making the political and economic reforms required for European integration and better lives for its citizens. It must also provide a more secure and stable environment free from conflict. The spring 2001 crisis between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians still has lingering effects on the country. Passing the Law on Local Self Government and conducting peaceful and fair parliamentary elections in September 2002 were two significant steps toward furthering the peace process and stability. While substantial progress was made this past year in implementing the Framework Agreement, the peace accord that brought the conflict to an end, ethnic tension still exists.

Macedonia in Action

Press Releases from USAID/Macedonia's Community Self-Help Initiative

The Community Self Help Initiative is a USAID-funded program in Macedonia that assists communities to plan and implement projects that promote democracy and ethnic harmony, and provide sustainable benefits to their inhabitants. The CSHI helps foster self-determination at the community level and promotes ethnic collaboration through economic development and participatory community planning activities. See the links below for recent examples of CSHI success stories.

• Celebration of New IT Center at “Faik Konica” School in Radusha, Kondovo Municipality
• Celebration of the Reconstruction of the Water Supply System in Przdevo, Demir Kapija Municipality
• Celebration of the Renovations of Three Schools in the Tetovo Region: Strimnica (Zhelino), Jegunovce (Jegunovce), and Slatina (Tearce)
• Sporting Spirit in Dolno Kojnare Community
• USAID Provides Support for Potato Farming Modernization in Kriva Palanka
• VIZIJA: A New Initiative to Promote Tourism in the Ohrid Region, Supported by USAID

$25 Million Raised for Balkans Through Public-Private Partnership: Donors Leverage Funds to Solidify Democracy

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation are pleased to announce a new $25 million initiative to support good governance in Southeastern Europe. The grant-making effort, called the Balkan Trust for Democracy, is a project of GMF made possible through a public-private partnership between GMF, USAID, and the Mott Foundation. Read More ...

Water Means Life in Macedonia

Before the Veles water supply project was implemented, the homes of the town’s happy children were at times without water for days at a time, and even when water was available it was usually insufficient due to lack of water pressure in that hilly neighborhood. Read more ...

USAID Program Brings Macedonia Education Experts to Seattle

Local education experts from Macedonia arrived in Seattle, Washington on December 8 for a week-long study tour to the United States sponsored by the USAID. A team of four education consultants will be visiting Seattle, Washington from December 8 to December 13, 2002 to examine various alternatives in the education sector and to exchange ideas and concepts with educational counterparts in the United States. The team members chosen for this program are all well-known experts in the field of educational reform in Macedonia. Read more ...