PROJECT ID

• Finance Instrument: Europe for Citizens Programme – European Union
• Action Type: Town twinning, civic dialogue, local cooperation, citizen engagement
• Project Status: Completed
• Implementation Period: 2021
• Funded by: European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”
• Lead Organization: Youth Alliance – Krusevo
• Project partners: Association of Active Youths of Florina, Municipality of Karposh, Municipality of Amyntaio, and local stakeholders from North Macedonia and Greece
• Main aim: To strengthen cooperation between citizens and municipalities from North Macedonia and Greece through town twinning activities, dialogue, and exchange on local development, civic participation, and European values. 

PROJECT LOGIC

At a time when relations between North Macedonia and Greece were gaining new importance through the Prespa Agreement and the broader European integration perspective, the project recognized the need to bring cooperation closer to citizens. By creating opportunities for direct exchange between municipalities, local stakeholders, and citizens, the initiative aimed to transform political progress into concrete people-to-people ties. Through town twinning, dialogue, and peer exchange, the project contributed to building trust, encouraging civic participation, and promoting a culture of cooperation, prosperity, and stability at the local and regional level.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Youth and citizen engagement

• 107 citizens participated in the project activities
• 75 participants came from the Municipality of Karposh, North Macedonia
• 32 participants came from the Municipality of Amyntaio, Greece

Dialogue and cooperation

• More than 100 relevant local stakeholders were actively engaged in dialogue
• The project created space for discussion on the potential of bilateral cooperation for local economic and cultural development
• Participants exchanged views on civic participation and engagement for building Europe at home

Municipal capacity-building

• The project provided a platform for diversified cooperation between the Municipality of Amyntaio and the Municipality of Karposh
• It strengthened municipal capacities to empower citizens to take a proactive role in shaping the future of their municipalities, region, and Europe
• Participants explored how municipalities can support stronger local governance and citizen involvement

MAIN RESULTS AND OUTPUTS

• Organization of a Town Twinning Activity in Amyntaio, Greece, on 10 September 2021
• Facilitation of dialogue between representatives of two neighboring municipalities
• Exchange of good practices on civic participation, engagement, and local governance
• Joint reflection on municipal priorities, local needs, and opportunities for future collaboration
• Strengthened basis for continued cooperation between local stakeholders from North Macedonia and Greece

IMPACT

On citizens

The project helped citizens from North Macedonia and Greece better understand each other’s perspectives and the value of bilateral cooperation. By participating in direct dialogue and joint activities, they had the opportunity to reflect on shared challenges and common opportunities for local development.

On municipalities

The cooperation between Amyntaio and Karposh was strengthened through a practical town twinning approach. The municipalities gained a platform for continued exchange and greater engagement in shaping local development through citizen participation and cross-border cooperation.

On regional cooperation

The initiative contributed to promoting a positive example of neighbourly relations between North Macedonia and Greece. It translated broader political cooperation into local action and supported the creation of a European culture of trust, prosperity, and stability at home.

KEY DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES

Agenda 35 | Special TV Broadcast on the Project