On 2 November 2026, the Council for Development of the East Planning Region held its sixth session in the Municipality of Češinovo-Obleševo.
The Council adopted a Decision to Support the Initiative for the Establishment of a Professional Theatre for Children and Young People in the East Planning Region, submitted by Milorad Angelov, a professional actor and initiator of the proposed theatre. The Council also adopted constructive conclusions regarding the initiative.
During the session, a proposal submitted by the Youth Councils of the municipalities of Delčevo, Berovo, Pehčevo and Makedonska Kamenica was presented. The proposal concerns the establishment of a Regional Career Centre incorporating an internet café concept. Particular attention was given to youth policies and the creation of new opportunities for young people across the region.
The Council was also introduced to practical solutions for equipping classrooms and laboratories, as well as solutions for tourism promotion and the use of interactive display panels.
The Council discussed the potential implementation of the proposed project entitled “Regional Centre for the Care and Control of the Stray Dog Population and Veterinary Healthcare in the East Planning Region”. Detailed information was provided regarding the financial resources required for the project’s implementation, along with insights into the actual operation of similar projects implemented in other regions. This enabled the Council to examine the practical aspects, organisational model and long-term sustainability of such a regional solution. The Council was also informed of the need to accelerate the process of adopting amendments to the Law on Animal Protection and Welfare, addressing issues related to irresponsible pet ownership and the management of stray dog populations.
The Council further discussed the possibility of developing a coordinated regional approach to protecting the population of the East Planning Region against vector-borne diseases, specifically through mosquito control measures targeting both adult mosquitoes and mosquito larvae.
As part of ongoing efforts to address matters of common regional interest, a session of the Inter-Municipal Waste Management Board for the East Planning Region was also held.
Representatives of the competent institutions provided the Board with relevant information on the progress and implementation status of the contract for the “Closure of Substandard and Illegal Landfills in the East Region”. The Board reviewed the progress achieved to date, the activities undertaken and the next steps required to ensure the continued implementation of the project.
The Inter-Municipal Waste Management Board for the East Planning Region also discussed the current status and implementation progress of the contracts for the “Construction of a Central Waste Management Facility for the East and Northeast Regions in the Municipality of Sveti Nikole” and the “Construction of Six Local Waste Management Facilities for the East and Northeast Regions in the Municipalities of Berovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Vinica, Štip, Rankovce and Kumanovo”. These activities are being implemented under the IPA-funded project “Establishment of an Integrated and Self-Sustainable Regional Waste Management System in the East and Northeast Planning Regions”. Given the complexity of the project, the Council identified the need for closer interinstitutional cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Finance to address the challenges encountered.
Representatives of ENVIROPLAN also briefed the Board on the Draft Regional Waste Management Plan for the East and Northeast Regions and the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Report for the Regional Waste Management Plan for the East and Northeast Regions.
