On May 25, 2023, CNVP North Macedonia Country Director Mr. Nehat Ramadani met the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning in North Macedonia, Ms.Kaja Shukova.

The importance of institutional partnership as well as environmental activities at different levels for common goals was the main topic of the meeting. It was said that the environment and the challenges to its preservation require an all-round commitment from all actors in all sectors of society. Therefore, cooperation in the field of the environment is more than necessary among all actors and stakeholders at the national and local levels.

In this framework, the whole portfolio of CNVP in the Balkans was introduced to the minister (nine active projects), including the five active projects under implementation in North Macedonia:

1. "Sustainable use of natural resources for transboundary socio-economic development of protected areas in North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo"
2. "Integrated forest management and economic benefits for communities along the Drin River basin"
3. "Empowering women for NTFP's development of Prespa"
4. Mountain Valorization Through Interconnectedness and Green Growth, MOVING Horizoin 2020
5. "CSO Action for Climate"

Minister Shukova expressed very positive notes on CNVP’s portfolio of projects under implementation and their outcomes. She emphasized that the partnership with the civil sector is very important, аnd that the ministry will continue cooperation with civil society organizations. Working directly with people at the local level, as the civil sector does, is of particular importance for achieving good results in the environment and beyond.

CNVP is a unique organization with offices across the Balkans, and its regional structures and approaches, enable it to have cross-country activities in project implementation, achieving thus better synergy and cohesion in the Balkans.