From March 2006, NGO Proaktiva is implementing the project Energy efficient Municipality applying the principals of energy efficiency, energy savings and renewable energy. The project is implemented in closed frame, on the local level witch can produce measurable results of the project influence. Project is funded by GEF Small Grants Programme and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway.

In already finished first part of the project, the project activities ware implemented in the Municipality of Jegunovce. The follow up of the project, the activities beside the Municipality of Jegunovce, will be replicated in the Municipality of Shuto Orizari.

The project has two components:
- Energy efficient interventions of the public objects in the mentioned municipalities
- Implementing an educational energy programme SPARE

Project partners:

1. Municipality of Jegunovce
2. Municipality of Shuto orizari
3. Norges Naturvernfrbund
4. Nansen dialogue center

Since March 2006, Proaktiva started to organize activities as part of the Small Grant Program of GEF in Macedonia . With the cooperation of municipality of Jegunovce, Nancen Dialog Center and Norwegian association for environmental protection at the first two months we organised meetings where we discussed for possible activities, and concrete dates for the first phase of the project that will last until August, 2006. Theoretical trainingsabout renewable energies and energy efficiency were held in May. Target group were local citizens, representatives of COU Aleksandar Zdravkovski, school Parents Board, president of villages close to Jegunovce and other interested people. Although our previous plan was to organize practical trainings only in Jegunovce, after presented request and honest wish from locals from Janciste and Raotince, we decided to organize more additional trainings.

Three practical trainings in 3 schools were organized in June and July. Our first plan to organize our next practical activities in Local school in Semsevo is changed because with the project in 2007, school will do total replacement of all windows. Project team visited seven other primary schools and afterwards decided to organize technical energy-efficiency workshops in villages Ratae, Ozormiste, Kopajnce and Preljubiste. Also one solar collector for sanitary hot water is planned to be installed in the first phase of the project in a Kindergarten in Jegunovce. With this activity, few volunteers will be trained how to install ‘Do It Yourself' system.

The NGO Proaktiva, with financial support of the Norwegian Government, from 9-14 November conducted a workshop which aim was creation of solar collector. The solar collector was installed on the Nurse House in Bitola. This institution takes care for 100 children and spends big amount of money for paying the electricity bills. Concerning this, Proaktiva in cooperation with the NGO Green Action from Croatia and 30 activists from 10 other SEE Countries created and installed 6m2 solar collectors. Proaktiva will continue with its work in this field. Construction of a solar system that can please the overall needs for hot water of the Nursery House in Bitola is among our future priorities.

On 21 September 2005 in the centre of the city Skopje the NGO Proaktiva and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning organized an event which had a goal to promote the alternative transport and environmental friendly means of transportation. The event was presented under the motto: On work without car – clever commuting.

An Integrated Approach To Solving Transportation Problems from a Sustainable Aspect

Proaktiva, in joint cooperation with 23 NGOs, scout organizations and other interested parties from Macedonia, on 25 – 26 February conducted a small public campaign “ Sidewalks are for Pedestrian”. The primary ‘direct action' was undertaken, simultaneously, in a number of cities across the Macedonia. We, all together, placed stickers on illegally parked cars throughout the country. Each sticker read “Sidewalks are for Pedestrians”.

The idea for undertaking this activity was initiated by the problems which are result of the traffic conjunction in the urban areas. Significant problem is the driving culture. All the time and everywhere the sidewalks are blocked by the improperly and illegally parked cars. Concerning this the pedestrian and bikers are forced to walk and ride on the streets, exposing them selves on dangerous. Under these circumstances, the movement of the people in the wheel chairs is especially difficult.

Besides these problems, we used this project as an opportunity to promote such concepts as: increasing use of alternative transportation, limiting use of automobiles, reducing the demand for fossil fuels, and raising awareness of the relationship between transportation and climate change.

This is a problem that we would like to animate not only the public, but also the responsible institutions.

The stickers are removable and don't cause any kind of damages.

For this activity, we have gathered support from seven local governments, the Milieukontakt Oost-Europa and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.

Contact person: Aleksandra Dimova
ani@proaktiva.org.mk