CONTENTS · 2012. 3. 14. · 2.1. Caska Municipality Profile 2.2. Strategy for Local Economic...

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CONTENTS

Address of the Mayor of Caska

Executive Summary

List of Abbreviations

Chapter 1 - The process of Strategic and Action Planning

1.1 Purpose, Role, Tasks

1.2 Principles on Which the Strategy Rests

1.3 Methodological Approach to the Development of the Strategic Document

Chapter 2 - Overview of Existing Strategic Documents

2.1. Caska Municipality Profile

2.2. Strategy for Local Economic Development of the Municipality of Caska

2.3. 2011-2015 Sub-strategy for Rural Development of the Municipality of Caska

2.4. Programme for Development of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Social Care of Caska Municipality

for the 2009 - 2013 Period

2.5. LEAP - Local Environment Action Plan of the Municipality of Caska (2009 - 2015)

MEEP - Energy Efficiency Program for the Municipality of Caska (2011 - 2015)

Chapter 3 - Overview of the Strategic Document on Social Inclusion,

Social Protection and Poverty alleviation

3.1. Social Profile of the Municipality

3.2. Identified Vulnerable Groups (Needs and Priorities)

3.3. PESTEL Analysis

3.4. Priority Action Areas

Chapter 4 - Action Plan for Strategic Document Implementation

Annexes

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ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR OF CASKA

Dear Sirs/Madams,

In order to improve living conditions in the Municipality of Caska, we designed and developed the strategic document Strategy for Poverty Reduction, Social Inclusion and Social Protection of Caska Municipality for the 2011-2015 period.

Launching the Project “Social Inclusion and Human Rights in the Republic of Macedonia”, we also started to promote and apply the human rights based approachin local development, planning and developing a local strategy to reduce poverty and social exclusion. We are especially honored and pleased that with joint efforts and endeavors of Caska municipality, i.e. the Local Partner Group composed of representatives from the public and private sector and the civil society, the municipality and the Council of Caska and the regional units of the Ministries joined together in the development of a local strategy.

The Members of the Local Group have made every effort and jointly decided to develop general guidelines on which the municipality should move.

The existence of a local strategy stems from the importance to identify the key issues we are facing, which present a direction for sustainable development of the Municipality of Caska. Through the planning process at the local level, solutions are offered to address and overcome the most acute problems in the area facing the municipality and its citizens, focusing on the poorest and most vulnerable groups of citizens. Allocating the resources and needs, proposing measures and mechanisms to address them which are in line with the principle of social mobilization, through the Strategy and Action Plans, we are aiming to improve the life in the local environment.

Let us together invest in the development of the municipality.

Sincerely,Mayor of Caska Municipality Goranco Panovski

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Strategy for Poverty Reduction, Social Inclusion and Social Protection of Caska Municipality has been prepared within the joint Project “Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Macedonia” by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and Institute for Human Rights “Ludwig Boltzmann”-FV.

The Strategy has been drafted by Irena Najdov-Little, a consultant hired by the Institute “Ludwig Boltzmann”-FV, using the participatory method of the Local partnership group of Caska Municipality.

This strategy focuses on three areas of development:1. Poverty reduction2. Social inclusion of vulnerable groups in the municipality3. Social protection for all citizens of the municipality

The strategy is divided into 4 Chapters:

IntroductionChapter 1 - Process of strategic and action planning Chapter 2 - Review of existing strategic documents in the relevant areasChapter 3 - Review of the strategic document on social inclusion, social protection and poverty reduction Chapter 4 - Action Plan for implementation of the strategic document

AnnexesAnnex 1 – List of participants in LPGAnnex 2 – Report on findings with focus groups heldThe results of the participatory planning process based on human rights are contained in this strategic document and present guidelines for sustainable social development of the Municipality of Caska for the 2011-2015 period.

Simultaneously, this strategy aims to provide medium term general directions that the municipality should follow to achieve its strategic goals related to social inclusion, social protection and poverty reduction in the municipality. The strategy covers the period from 2011 to 2015 and through the achievement of specific strategic goals it provides solutions to address and overcome the most acute problems in the area facing the municipality and its citizens.

List of Abbreviations

Institute for Human Rights Ludwig Boltzmann (BIM-FV Skopje)SSO-State Statistical OfficeEU-European UnionIPARD - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance to Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentPUC - Public Utility CompanyLAG - Local Action GroupLED - Local Economic DevelopmentLPG - Local Partnership GroupLN - Local NeighborhoodMLS - Ministry of Local Self-GovernmentMES - Ministry of Education and ScienceMDG - Millennium Development GoalsMLSP - Ministry of Labour and Social PolicyNGO - Nongovernmental organizationOMC - Open Method of CoordinationRO - Regional OfficePESTEL Analysis (Political Factors, Economic Factors, Social Factors, Technological Factors, Environmental Factors, Legal Factors)RM - Republic of MacedoniaSWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats), PRO - Public Revenue OfficeUNDP - United Nations Development Programme USAID - United States Agency for International DevelopmentUSAID-MLGA - USAID Local Government ProjectHIF - Health Insurance FundCSW - Center for Social Work

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BASIC DEFINITIONS Considering that this strategic document of the Municipality of Caska is a strategy for poverty reduction, social inclusion and social protection, at the beginning, we are giving an outline of the basic definitions of terms relevant to this area.

Poverty: The absence or inadequate realization / fulfillment of certain basic freedoms and rights such as: avoidance of hunger, disease, illiteracy, etc.

The European Union defines poverty as: ‘People live in poverty when their resources or incomes are at such inadequate level that prevents them from having standard of living acceptable in the society where they function. Their poverty is perceived through their unemployment, low incomes, poor and inadequate living conditions, inadequate health care, as well as the inability for lifelong learning, culture, sport and recreation. Often, these people are marginalised, and excluded from the economic, social and cultural activities, and their access to basic human rights is hindered ’.

Social exclusion:‘Social exclusion is a process in which certain individuals are left at the margins of the society and are fully excluded from participation in the societal activities, as a consequence of poverty, lack of basic competences and opportunities for lifelong learning, or of certain type of discrimination. All of this hinders them from accessing possibilities for permanent employment, income, education, training opportunities, as well as from other types of social activities. Often, they have no access to decision-making institutions. This contributes to their feeling of powerlessness and inability to take control over the decisions they make in their everyday lives’.

Social inclusion:“Social inclusion is a process which ensures that persons who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion will be given opportunities and resources necessary for their full participation in economic, social and cultural life and a normal standard of living and well-being in the society in which they live. This will enable them greater participation in the decision-making process that will positively affect their lives, and also give them access to their basic rights”.

Social protection:“Social protection not only implies public regulations for social security, but it also implies private and non-statutory normative acts with similar goals, such as mutually benefitial societies and professional pension funds. The contributions from all types of non-statutory normative acts, formal or informal, are not fully determined by the market forces’”.

CHAPTER 1 - THE PROCESS OF STRATEGIC AND ACTION PLANNING1.1 Purpose, Role, Tasks

The Institute of Human Rights Ludwig Boltzmann (BIM-FV Skopje), within the Project “Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Macedonia”, intends to include the human rights based approach in the planning process of both national and local authorities. They work on issues related to social inclusion, social protection and poverty reduction, which contributes to the overall goal of reducing poverty in Macedonia, by supporting the implementation of the human rights based approachin the area of social inclusion, and in the process of accession to the EU and through the work of rights holders and holders of powers.

Under the Project, the Institute of Human Rights Ludwig Boltzmann(BIM-FV Skopje), hired four consultants to support the local partner groups in 8 selected municipalities: Berovo / Pehcevo, Studenicani / Caska, Radovis / Konce, Lipkovo and Negotino and in their elaboration of documents on poverty, social inclusion and social protection, establishment of priorities and strategic and action planning.

The main objectives of the Project are:• To assess and incorporate data collected from the BIM-FV Study on Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Republic

of Macedonia in the elaboration of documents on poverty, social protection and social exclusion, determination of priorities and strategic and action planning.

• To support Local partnership groups in the process of identification of vulnerable social groups of persons who are most marginalized and who face multiple discrimination.

• To support Local partnership groups in their efforts to find solutions for the integration of vulnerable groups and poor people in the planning process of local development.

• To contribute to setting priorities and getting the views of Local partnership groups in ensuring progress towards desired outcomes.

• To promote and to stay focused on expected outcomes in terms of the Project of the Institute for Human Rights-Ludwig Boltzmann - Research Association (BIM - FV).

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• To consider and to incorporate gender perspective throughout the consultation process, especially taking into account women’s poverty and social exclusion of women, and especially paying attention to the relations of power and decision making processes at the local level.

1.2 Principles on Which the Strategy Rests

During the preparation of the strategic document of the Municipality of Caska, the participatory approach was used. This approach was observed by the participation of the Local partnership group in formulating priority areas for intervention in the field of social inclusion, social protection and poverty reduction in the Municipality of Caska, priority vulnerable groups in the municipality, and strategic objectives and activities. Through the participatory approach, participation of all stakeholders in developing the strategic plan was ensured, i.e. representatives of the Municipal Administration, the competent Center for Social Work and Employment Center, local level public institutions, civil society organizations working to protect the rights of certain vulnerable groups and the business sector. At the same time, the participatory approach to strategic planning was strengthened by a visionary and analytical approach. The successful application of the visionary approach in drafting the strategic document is due to the experience of the Local partnership group, their deep concern and familiarity with the situation and problems in the municipality. However, the Local partnership group also took into consideration the real situation and development possibilities of the municipality in the definition of vulnerable groups, priority areas, strategic objectives and activities. The real situation is reflected by the facts presented through official statistical data, as well as data and other publicly known information obtained by institutions and members of the Local partnership group.

In the process of strategic planning and development of the Municipality of Caska’s strategic document, the Local partnership group, the Project Team of BIM-FM Skopje, facilitators and other participants in the process of its formulation had the following principles in mind:• Quality. Quality in the decision making process and the results thereof;• Responsibility. Accountability of actions taken, evaluation and appropriate remuneration of efforts, but also

appropriate responsibility for failures;• Lawfulness. Observation of laws, acceptance of decisions by all citizens of the Municipality of Caska as legitimate;• Sustainability. Economic viability and environmental sustainability;• Professionalism. High standards of work for the members of LPG and perseverance in pursuing them;• Equality. Equality of all citizens of all ethnic communities in the Municipality of Caska and their mutual respect;• Involvement. Active involvement of vulnerable groups and / or their representatives at all stages of development

and implementation of the Strategic Plan;• Priority. Setting strategic goals and activities based on their time and value priority;• Transparency. Openness for inspection and right to be informed about the process of elaboration and

implementation of the Strategic Plan;• Partnership. Constantly developing and strengthening partnerships with the business sector, civil society and

other municipalities in RM and the region.

In order to successfully implement the Strategic Plan, it is necessary for these principles to be respected in its implementation phase. Therefore, one of the key benchmarks in the implementation of the Municipality of Caska’a Strategic Plan will be the application of these principles.

Departing from these principles, the Strategic Plan of Caska Municipality aims to define the general directions of movement of the municipality in the area of poverty reduction, social inclusion and social protection in the next five years, defining the activities to be undertaken (without going into the details of them).

The definition of activities is left to the selection of LPG members, given the need for harmonization of activities with the political context and financial limitations. Hence, the structure of the Municipality of Caska’s Strategic Plan is based on three levels, namely:• Level 1 - Defining the priority areas of intervention in the Strategic Plan Goals;• Level 2 - Defining the strategic objectives of Caska Municipality based on broadly defined priority areas.

Strategic Objectives are the specific goals identified in each of the priority areas. For rationality in their viability, not more than three to four strategic objectives within each of the priority areas have been determined;

• Level 3 - Defining key activities to be undertaken in order to accomplish each of the identified strategic objectives.

The reasons for such a structure and for defining the Municipality of Caska’s Strategic Plan are as follows:• Providing freedom of choice of means and activities that key actors will undertake to achieve the strategic

objectives;• Alignment of activities with the budget of the Municipality of Caska and other available funds for activity

implementation;• The dynamics of the processes affecting the development of the Municipality of Caska, which could lead to

misalignment of the Strategic Plan with the external environment.

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The definition of priority areas for intervention was preceded by an adequate analysis of problems with a focus on vulnerable people the municipality of Caska is facing. The analysis of the problems was done by the Local partnership group. First, by using the method of union work, problems facing the municipality of Caska and its citizens were identified, especially with regard to its previously identified vulnerable groups.

Only strategic issues, expressed through their long-term nature and topicality, as such, were taken into consideration. Thus, the Local partnership group identified the following priority action areas:1. Poverty reduction;2. Social inclusion; 3. Social protection.

1.3 Methodological Approach to the Development of the Strategic Document

The Municipality of Caska’s Strategic Plan has been made by applying the concept of local planning, based on human rights. The Strategic Document has been created on the principle of respect for human rights, for municipality’s sustainable development, respecting the diversities and overcoming social exclusion and discrimination.

In preparing the Strategic Plan for the Municipality of Caska, the methodology of participatory planning was used. The process of participatory planning can be defined as involvement of all stakeholders, i.e. factors (individuals, groups, organizations and institutions) in deciding on all issues related to development, in this case, of local development of the municipality in the area of social inclusion, social protection and poverty alleviation .

For the purposes of the participatory approach in planning, the following conditions should be met, which in the municipality of Caska were fulfilled:• willingness of the Mayor and the local Administration, as well as the Municipal Council to implement

participatory planning;• transparency in the municipality work while planning;• impartiality in relations between the Mayor, Administration and other factors of municipal development;• timely implementation of participatory planning activities.

During the process of participatory planning, in the municipality of Caska, the following activities were conducted:1. Identification of all development factors of the municipality, through direct contacts with local authorities, civil

society and business sector, research and a study preparation on the situation with vulnerable groups in the municipality by the BIM-FM Skopje, formal and informal meetings with relevant individuals and representatives of groups and organizations;

2. Timely and continuous involvement of stakeholders in the process, by setting up a Local partnership group consisting of representatives from the civil society, private and public sector in the municipality. The Local partnership group has gone through a cycle of training on the following topics: “Social Inclusion and Human Rights”, “Project Presentation,” “Anti-discriminatory EU policies”, “Training on Project Cycle Management”, as well as presentation of the Study on Poverty and Social Exclusion in Macedonia, all conducted by the BIM-FM Project - Skopje;

3. Active involvement of stakeholders in all phases of planning, through organizing workshops to determine the development priorities of the municipality, in the context of poverty alleviation and social inclusion with the Local partnership group, informal interviews with representatives of relevant institutions and organizations in the community, focus groups with poor and vulnerable groups of citizens;

4. Involving citizens in the participatory planning process by organizing a public presentation of the Draft Strategic Document, information through the media and other forms of public involvement.

5. The results of the participatory planning process, based on human rights, are contained in this strategic document and present guidelines on sustainable development in the field of social inclusion and fight for poverty alleviation in the municipality of Caska for the 2011-2015 period.

Strategic planning, as a process, has two segments. The first relates to the knowledge of what we want, and the second concerns the way to achieving the planned. This process includes making clear decisions on the directions we will follow to implement the decisions reached. By the process of decentralization, the decisions taken at the local level receive a key role in the municipality, as the measures taken at the national level do not always reflect the overall needs of the local community. Without underestimating the need for regional cooperation and development, strategic planning in the area of social inclusion, social protection and poverty alleviation , should be recognized as the fundamental measure for planning municipal development.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the national strategic documents such as the 2010-2020 National Strategy for Poverty alleviation and Social Exclusion, the 2010-2018 National Strategy for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Revised), the 2010-2020 National Strategy for Elderly People, and the Index of Local Level Social Inclusion are a framework within which the local strategies elaborate the specific needs and concerns of local populations.

It is, therefore, necessary to have a Local Strategy for Social Inclusion, Social Protection and Poverty alleviation arising from the importance to identify the key problems faced by the most vulnerable residents of the Municipality of Caska.

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The persistent and serious problem of unemployment, inadequate care of persons with disabilities, elderly people, people with unsecured housing, as well as the needs for strengthening human resources through improved education and social inclusion of vulnerable groups in the society - are the main problems facing the municipality.

Simultaneously, this Strategy aims to provide medium term general directions that the Council should follow towards achieving its strategic objectives related to social inclusion, social protection and poverty alleviation in the municipality. The strategy covers the mext five-year period and offers solutions to address and overcome the most acute problems in the area facing the municipality and its citizens through the achievement of specific strategic objectives.

1. The Strategy for Social Inclusion, Social Protection and Poverty alleviation in the municipality of Caska is made in accordance with the National Strategy for Poverty alleviation and Social Exclusion in RM (2010-2020), and in accordance with the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), which is strengthening the capacities of local government in the process of organizing and facilitating a broad consultative process with civil society organizations, vulnerable, poor and socially excluded groups of citizens, businesses and all other stakeholders.

During the process of preparation of this strategic document and definition of strategic priorities, objectives and activities, the Local partnership group (LPG) was observing the provisions of the following regulations :• Law on Local Self-Government, Official Gazette of RM No. 5/2002;• 2002 Law on Local Government Units Financing;• Law on Territorial Organization of Local Government Units, Official Gazette of RM No. 55/2004; • Law on Equalized Regional Development, Official Gazette of RM No. 63/2007;• Declaration on the participation of local and regional authorities in achieving the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs) from 2006.

At the same time, in the conceptualization of this strategic document, LPG took into account the key guidelines identified by the following program documents of the Ministry of Local Self-Government (MLS):• Program for Decentralization Process Implementation;• National Implementation Program.

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CHAPTER 2 - OVERVIEW OF EXISTING STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS Caska municipality has developed the following strategic documents:• 2008 Municipality Profile;• 2008 Strategy for Local Economic Development (for 2008-2013 period);• Rural Development Sub-strategy for the 2011-2015 period; • Program for Development of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Welfare of Caska Municipality

for the 2009-2013 period;• LEAP - Local Environment Action Plan (2009-2015);• MEEP - Municipality Energy Efficiency Program for the municipality of Caska (2011-2015).

Other relevant documents covering the areas of intervention are: • 2010-2020 National Strategy for Poverty Alleviation and Social Exclusion; • 2010-2018 National Strategy for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Revised);• 2010-2020 National Strategy for Elderly People; • Local Level Index of Social Inclusion (2011);• Baseline Study on Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Republic of Macedonia (2011);• Analysis of the Situation in Social Protection and Social Inclusion at the Local Level (2010).

2.1. Caska Municipality Profile

The Profile of the Municipality of Caska was prepared in 2008 and presents an overview of its existing conditions and services. It is a starting point in the process of strategic planning, i.e. a creative and analytical process by which the municipality is preparing for the future, promoting the rational allocation of available resources.

The Profile is used in the planning and preparation of other strategic documents of the municipality, by providing a systematic review of conditions in the community, including local strengths and resources for future development, as well as by providing data on local problems to be improved by development planning.

The Municipality Profile is a comprehensive document that contains data on natural conditions, historical development of the municipality, and the analysis of the state of infrastructure and public services.

The Profile provides information on the socioeconomic situation in the municipality, including demographic data, employment data, and data on the situation with social security and unemployment in the municipality. It is followed up by the analysis of the economy in the municipality, with descriptions of economic activities represented, giving information on business entities, sectors of activity, sales facilities, economic sectors, with particular emphasis on tourism, mining, industry, agriculture, livestock and fisheries in the individual sector. An overview of institutions that act on the territory of the municipality is given, including local associations and foundations, and the field of their activity. The profile of local government, its organizational structure, the municipal administration, urban planning, public enterprises operating in the municipality and the municipal budget are also given. For a full picture of the municipality, a brief overview of data and information is given regarding the quality of life, i.e the situation with culture, cultural events, the preconditions for sports, environmental protection and conditions for public transport and connections with other settlements.

2.2. Strategy for Local Economic Development of the Municipality of Caska

After preparing the Profile of the Municipality, a Local Economic Development Strategy was developed.

The existence of a Local Strategy stems from the importance to identify the key problems facing the municipality of Caska. The permanent and serious problem with under-utilized agricultural land, the outflow of labor, unused natural potentials, as well as insufficient recognition of the municipality as an attractive tourist destination are only a part of the distinctive problems faced by most municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia.

The development of this strategic document is essential for access to donors and especially, to the EU Pre-accession Funds.

Simultaneously, the Strategy represents a step forward of the partnership between the public sector, business sector and civil society to achieve the objectives in favor of a better life for all residents.

Thereby, the vision of the municipality “Municipality of Caska - promoter of inter-ethnic coexistence, and functional built-up infrastructure, developed social and educational infrastructure, modern agricultural municipality and tourist acknowledged destination that offers a life in a healthy and clean environment and an improved living standard of the population “ shall be achieved.

According to the LED strategy, thematic areas where Caska municipality should generate development in the future are the following: business climate, tourism, agriculture, inter-ethnic coexistence and urban development.

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2.3. 2011-2015 Sub-strategy for Rural Development of the Municipality of Caska

The existence of a document named Sub-strategy for Rural Development of Caska Municipality for the 2011-2015 period has resulted from the importance to identify directions for development of the municipality, especially in the sector of agriculture and tourism as one of the selected priorities, programs and activities aimed at target users.

The development of agriculture and tourism on the territory of Caska municipality is a recognized priority that is necessary to be planned, invested into, supported and promoted through programs and activities in order to keep up with modern trends in Macedonia.

The Sub-strategy contributes to the creation of preconditions for the use of funds of domestic and foreign donors, as well as the National Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPARD), i.e. one of the options and opportunities for accelerated rural development.

The Sub-strategy has arisen from the needs of residents in Caska to establish a more organized approach to existing problems they are facing.

The document is in accordance with the Strategy for Economic Development towards creating of “Caska - a modern agricultural municipality and acknowledged tourist destination that offers opportunities and content for a quality life and stay in a healthy and clean environment “.

2.4. Programme for Development of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Social Care of Caska Municipality for the 2009 - 2013 Period

The municipality of Caska has adopted a 2009-2013 Program for Development of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Social Protection. The program was prepared in November 2008 and adopted by the Municipal Council in December 2008. The program has been designed with the support of the United Nations Development Office.

It covers five areas, namely: education, sports, culture, health and social care. For each thematic area a Strategy has been drafted that includes objectives, activities, indicators and verification tools. For each area, the Program contains an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). For the purposes of preparing the Program, a Stirring Committee was established composed of a Local Coordinator and a civic expert team. The situation was established on the basis of analyses, workshops and work meetings.

Although the Program lists the prerequisites for its implementation and its monitoring, still there is no an appropriate Action Plan or time-frame for monitoring the implementation of the Plan.

The implemented activities are monitored by the officials of the Municipal Administration, i.e. the Officers for Social and Health Care, and Local Economic Development, on which they prepare a report.

The Program is designed to stimulate development and improve quality of life in the municipality of Caska, thereby making it a community of healthy, happy, satisfied and equitable citizens where they will all have opportunities for personal development and active contribution to a sustainable development in the region and the wider community.

Particularly important in the context of this strategic document are its provisions relating to social inclusion and protection, by the efforts for breaking the chain of trans-generational exclusion, by strengthening and supporting the users of all target groups (beneficiaries of social assistance, persons with disabilities, addicts, victims of domestic violence, elderly persons) in terms of their active engagement in the community life.

2.5. LEAP - Local Environment Action Plan of the Municipality of Caska (2009 - 2015)

This document is extremely important to give the municipality, in the next six years, the main guidelines for action in the field of environment protection. At the same time, the implementation of one of the responsibilities and obligations given to the Local Governments by the Local Self-Government Law and Environment Law shall be fulfilled.

LEAP has been developed according to the DPSIR methodology. DPSIR model stresses the cause-effect relation and helps decision makers to examine simultaneously (in their mutual relations) issues of economic, social and environmental nature. The tool enables the implementation of the principles of sustainable community development.

The Process of LEAP preparation takes place over one year. The work of the Local Committee and working groups involved many institutions and individuals, representatives of civic organizations and local communities. They were supported by experts from the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, REC Office in Macedonia, and the funds were provided by the Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

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There has been an environment impact assessment in the municipality of Caska and a list of environmental priority issues has been defined; goals and measures for dealing with each of the priority issues have been defined; an Implementation Plan and a Plan for Monitoring, Evaluation and Revision of LEAP have been developed.The dynamic plan of activities to protect and enhance the quality of the environment, particularly through economic aspects and development indicators, budget policy and public investment, ensure a more complex pragmatic approach to solving the issues related to environment and development. LEAP should be used as an opportunity to promote the principles of sustainable development in the municipality.

MEEP - Energy Efficiency Program for the Municipality of Caska (2011 - 2015)

Considering the dramatic climate change that has occurred, and the need for harmonization of the Republic of Macedonia’s laws with the EU legislation, energy efficiency and renewable energy use are themes that have been becoming more topical in recent years.

Following this change and aware of the problems faced daily, Caska municipality has developed a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP). The Program is designed to create a long-term strategy to effectively solve problems and implement the principles of sustainable development. Simultaneously, “Energy efficiency and use of renewable sources of energy” is one of the stated objectives of the municipality LEAP.

The Program will enable sustainable development projects preparation and simpler application to domestic and international institutions regarding the implementation of projects whose goal is energy saving. The Program includes an overview of the current situation, production and energy supply, database and information sources, facilities and energy consumed in the municipality, basic assessments and potentials for energy efficiency in the municipality.

Objectives and priorities have been defined with an overview of medium-term objectives for the 2011 - 2015 period and 2011 targets, i.e the Action Plan. The Program includes a financial plan (finance sources and plan), and organization of executives and implementers of the Program. To be complete, the Program includes control, assessment and reporting.

The analysis of energy efficiency, which is part of the Program, refers to the energy consumption of Public Administration, schools and street lighting. The implementation of the Energy Efficiency Program will contribute to reducing energy losses, and thus the costs of heating and electricity, improving working conditions in schools, raising the service quality of municipal institutions, and increasing security in settlements. Therefore, its consistent implementation, monitoring and updating of data from the database is required.

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Anti - fascist Fight of Macedonia - Gorno Vranovci, the house-seat of the Anti-fascist Fight Headquarters, a printing plant in Gorno Vranovci, the Central Committee house in Gorno Vranovci, a mosque, a 1944 partisan hospital in Gorno Vranovci, St. Nicholas Church in Mokreni and St. Atanas Church in Vojnica.

A number of attractive locations are suitable for development of sports, especially hiking, hunting and fishing. For speleologists, Damjanica Cave and numerous pits are particularly interesting. The real challenge even for most experienced climbers is the ridge below the peak of Solunska Glava, which with a height of 650 m and a width of 2 km is one of the largest in the Balkans. The largest and most amazing waterfall is located down the spring of the river Babuna and has a height of around 15m.

Jasenovo is situated in an incredibly picturesque natural setting. For visitors, it is a real air bath. This place with a specific climate and a rich oak forest, has been designed by Nature for rest and recreation. Amidst this natural landscape is constructed a hospital complex to treat lung diseases, as well as many private holiday houses.

The municipality has certain accommodation facilities to meet the needs of tourists in hotel accommodation, private accommodation, accommodation in mountain homes and monasteries.

3.1.2 Labor Market

In terms of the socio-economic situation in the Municipality of Caska, as pressing issues that require addressing we will emphasize the most distinguished social problems in the municipality, such as unemployment, which reaches a high rate, and poverty resulting in a number of social assistance beneficiaries. Problems that have increased in the community are also juvenile delinquency, domestic violence and juvenile marriages (especially pronounced among the Albanian population). Most threatened is the old, financially insecure population who is without pensions or with minimum retirement income, especially in populated areas with high share of old population in the total population, such as the village of Bogomila. An unfavorable social position is seen among the disabled persons (29), for whom there are no social services in the municipality. According to the information obtained from the municipality, although there is an Agreement to be signed with the MLSP on opening a day center for disabled persons in the territory of the municipality, such a center has not been opened so far.

In the fight against unemployment, the Employment Center is realizing several active measures such as: subsidized employment of vulnerable population groups, small businesses, job clubs, retraining, qualification, training, etc. Public works were more applicable in 2009, when according to the Operational Plan for active employment programs and measures, 38 registered unemployed people were hired by the municipality of Caska to work on maintenance and reconstruction of public infrastructure and environment sustainability and protection. Contact and cooperation with employers from the private sector are crucial for the implementation of active measures. Still, cooperation with CSW in the field of employment for welfare beneficiaries, and with the municipality should be promoted, as for the time being, it comes down, primarily to information exchange on beneficiaries or the economic and social situation in the municipality.

In a situation of high unemployment and lack of employment opportunities in the community (no sufficient number of companies and enterprises, except the green house which is private), almost every family grows tobacco and thus ensures its existence. What is difficult for people is the fact that many of them do not own any land, so therefore, they either work in other villages or rented fields or become illegal land users. That makes them potentially vulnerable groups of people because of their illegal employment that will potentially include them in the category of persons who have no basis for achieving retirement.

Responsible for dealing with the problem of unemployment in Caska municipality is the Employment Center located in Veles. According to the information from the Center, of the total population aged 15 years and more (5553, 2799 of whom are men and 2754 women), 33.4% are economically active and there is a 66.6% inactive population. Of the economically active population (1857), 1,078 persons are employed (87.4% men and only 12.6% women) and 779 persons are unemployed (62.2% men and 37.8% women).

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Because of their low qualifications and their long-term absence from the labor market, on the one hand, it is difficult for them to get involved as active jobseekers, and on the other hand, there is little demand for this category of unemployed persons by the employers.

3.1.3 Infrastructure

3.1.3.1 Basic Needs and Conditions

The situation with water supply in the municipality is good. Citizens of the municipality of Caska receive drinking water through the water-piping system, their own wells and village fountains. The settlement of Caska has established a Public Utility Company, “Topolka”, with 16 employees of whom 4 are permanent employees and 12 are contracted for utilities in the public interest. PUC is funded by revenues from performing the services provided to the users.

Disposal of municipal waste water from households and other consumers of the municipality is carried out through the sewer network that exists in only 7 settlements (Caska, Izvor, Teovo, Bogomila, the weekend settlement in Gorno Vranovci, Melnica, Martolci), and in the other settlements there is no sewage and they have individual septic tanks. The municipality has had a treatment plant built in the village of Teovo.In terms of electricity supply, the condition is good. In all settlements, regardless of the number of residents, there is an electricity network. The municipality meets the needs by using the energy system of Macedonian Electricity Company ESM. Only the waters of the Babuna River have been used to generate electricity so far, by the construction of the small Power Plant Bogomila, with a power of 900 kilowatts.

3.1.3.2 Transport Links in the Community

Traffic connections of the municipality are good. Through the territory of the municipality, the railroad Skopje - Bitola is passing. The municipality is connected with the City of Veles through the regional roads R-526, R-515 and R-514.

The total length of road network in the municipality of Caska is 62 km of regional roads and the local road network having the length of 126.7 km of which 38.9 km are asphalt road, 16 km tamponed road and 14.2 km macadam.

3.1.4 Housing

Social exclusion in housing is a complex social phenomenon in strong correlation with other forms of social marginalization. The three main barriers to proper housing - economic, cultural and legal - are also in relation to persons who in this respect are facing social exclusion, but also live in marginalized areas due to a variety of social circumstances. It usually manifests itself as sub-standard or poor housing, including lack of access to sources of funding for improving housing conditions or legal uncertainty, mainly associated with the large number of illegal buildings in the country.

Caska municipality has not prepared a strategic document in the field of housing, so in this area we call upon the National Housing Strategy.

According to the National Housing Strategy, the need for standardized and harmonious housing conditions has been identified for the categories of citizens who are considered as socially excluded in housing: children without parents or parental care, recipients of social and on-going assistance, disabled persons and persons who need help and care from other people, socially endangered and single parents with minor children. The most vulnerable categories in the area of housing identified in the National Housing Strategy, are vulnerable in terms of this strategic document in the Municipality of Caska. Guidelines in the National Housing Strategy are also valid for Caska municipality. In this sense, the results provided by the National Housing Strategy are also relevant for the Municipality of Caska, regarding the following: reducing the extent of sub-standard housing conditions expressed through lack of utility connections and other infrastructure, or poor quality and unsafe construction, reducing the extent of the overpopulation of the home expressed in below-the-average useful living area per member of household, reducing the risk of loss of resident status due to legal uncertainty as a result of changing or consistent implementation of regulations in the area of construction and physical and urban planning, as well as integral implementation of the Action Plan components for the implementation of the Housing Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia (2007-2012) that concern vulnerable groups.

The right to housing is recognized as an important right that is not exercised by one category of vulnerable persons identified in the municipality. In the process of preparation of this document, a focus-group was conducted with people with unresolved housing issues in the Municipality of Caska, to see deeper into their specific problems and try to find an appropriate solution. This strategic document addresses the issue and provides measures and activities for its solution.

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3.1.5 Education

The educational process of children in primary education takes place in 3 primary schools and 6 dispersed schools.Students from nearby villages who gravitate around Caska are provided with boarding accommodation. All other students are provided free transportation from the place of residence to the nearest school.

There are three primary schools in the Municipality of Caska:

Primary School “Todor Janev” - Caska with 1 satellite school in Melnica,Primary School “Petre Pop Arsov” - Bogomila with 3 satellite schools in Orese, Izvor and Sogle,Primary School “Lirija” - Gorno Jabolciste with 2 satellite schools: Dolno Jabolciste and Gorno Vranovci.

There is no educational institution in the area of secondary education in the municipality.

3.1.6 Health Care

The municipality of Caska has five private clinics and one infirmary in the village of Melnica within the clinic in Caska District. The clinics are located in major settlements such as Caska District, Gorno Jabolciste, Izvor, Bogomila, Dolno Jabolciste and the infirmary station in Melnica. Each of them covers the immediate surrounding settlements. Clinics in Bogomila Dolno Jabolciste and Gorno Jabolciste are rural clinics.

Two private dentists operate on the premises of Caska District clinic and Gorno Jabolciste clinic.

In the Municipality of Caska, there is only one pharmacy located in Caska District.

The clinics meet the spatial work requirements, but unfortunately, they are minimally equipped. The services offered are of the type of general check-ups.

There is no specialized clinic or organized one-day examinations by specialists in the settlements. Residents are not provided with specialized examinations in the settlements, nor have any educational events regarding preventive health care measures.

The clinic in Izvor works on certain days, as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The specified mode of operation on some days does not meet the needs of the population for on-going health care provision.

The main problem facing the Municipality of Caska is the reluctance of professionals/doctors to work and provide health care in rural settlements. The settlements are far away from Veles and the only prerequisite for the operation of clinics is to have a permanent residence in the settlements.

A serious problem facing residents is the lack of a functional emergency care in the community. For immediate medical assistance it is necessary for the Emergency Center-Veles to intervene. Given the size and territorial distribution of population and settlements in the municipality, it is necessary to urgently intervene in order to improve the conditions and opportunities for provision of emergency medical assistance.

The municipality has only one institution that provides secondary health care. It is the specialized hospital for lung diseases “Jasenovo.”

3.1.7 Other Entities in the Municipality

Social facilities: the network of social institutions is even less developed. There is not any kindergarten or a nursing home. Only two day care centers for the elderly operate in Caska and Bogomila.

Cultural institutions: The Municipality of Caska has 2 museums, in Bogomila and Gorno Vranovci. Within the museum in Bogomila, 1 branch library of the library “Goce Delcev” of Veles operates. There are no cinemas, theaters, or operational cultural homes. There are 6 buildings which housed the former cultural homes located in the bigger settlements, which are now empty and ruined.

Several archaeological sites are located in the municipality (near Caska, Golozinci, Izvor, Otistino) and some cultural monuments protected by the Ministry of Culture: 2 churches, 1 mosque-partisan hospital, a stone bridge from the Roman period on the river Babuna, 1 village - Gorno Vranovci village as a whole, 3 houses-seats of ASNOM Presidium, the Headquarters and a printing plant and the Central Committee in Gorno Vranovci 1 house of Peter Pop Arsov in Bogomila.

Sports facilities: The municipality has 9 fields in the larger settlements that are mostly football fields. Caska’s playground is a new large stadium. There are 5 football clubs. There are no other sports facilities or clubs.Media: The municipality has no media, printed or electronic.

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Civic organizations: The number of civic organizations in the municipality is small. Most active ones are: Association of Multi-ethnic Co-habitation and Human Rights “Mosaic,” EA “Ambientalisti”, “Celarnica”, “Plavnik” and others. There are a number of other associations and foundations which, despite being registered nationally, carry out many of their activities within the territory of the Municipality of Caska or in the neighboring Municiplaity of Veles, such as the Foundation “Euro Center” from Sveti Nikole. There are the Foundation FOCUS, EB “Dimitar Vlahov”, ED “Vila Zora”, EG “Green Power”.

Commercial entities: In 2005, a total of 170 businesses was registered in the Municipality of Caska, which is a significant increase compared to 2003 when 73 were recorded. Of 170 businesses, 19 are enterprises, 35 companies, 53 sole proprietors and 63 other. The largest active economic entities are “Canet Agro” (greenhouses) and “Came Commerce” (production of quartz) which currently absorb a good deal of the workforce. In addition, in the community, a number of farms are open and functioning (pig and poultry farms, a mushroom factory, production of snails). Out of operation are several business entities in which a significant proportion of the population of this municipality once worked: the dairy “Napredok” Lozar greenhouses, the plant for production of bricks and building materials “Kiro Chuchuk”, “Porcelanka” and “Svilara” from Veles.

Mining: Among the mineral resources found on the territory of the Municipality of Caska, talc dominates with determined reserves on the Izvor-Nikodin site, which are more than 3 million tons. There is exploitation in the quarry near Izvor village with an annual capacity of 12,000 tons. Approximately the same stocks as the talc are found in the quarries of brick clays in Caska, as well as roof shales found at the site of Krnino. Quartz has been explored at the the site of Orese and down the valleys of the rivers Babuna, Topolka and Melnicka. Total reserves are estimated at around 60 million tonnes.

3.1.8. Social Protection in the Municipality

Caska municipality is one of the municipalities in which importance is attached to the functions that the municipality should take in relation to social protection of its population. In the municipality, the former Unit of Education, Culture, Health, Social Welfare, Sports and Cooperation with Civic Associations and Foundations has been renamed as a Unit for Public Activities and Local Economic Development since 2010. In this Unit, i.e. in the field of social protection, there is no social worker employed, but these duties are currently performed by the persons hired in the positions of Senior Officer for Education, Culture, Sports and Recreation (jurist by profession), and Officer for Health, Social and Civil Protection (pedagogue by profession). Within this Department,several programs have been prepared such as: Program for Development of Education, Sports, Culture, Health and Social Care of Caska municipality for the 2009-2013 period; Proposed Program Activities of the Municipality of Caska in the field of social protection in 2011, as well as Program Activities of primary schools in the area of social protection for 2011. Although the programs related to social protection should be enriched in terms of social services for vulnerable groups, in addition to financial assistance and in-kind assistance which is now being provided, still, the initiative of this municipality in terms of developing social protection at the local level is an example to be welcomed.

Even in its practical realization of the forms of social protection, the municipality is showing good results. In its to-date practice, the municipality has intervened in accommodating socially endangered families in municipal buildings (30 socially endangered families have been housed in the municipal building); one-off financial assistance to citizens who made a request to the municipality (in 2009, financial assistance of 140,000 denars was provided); granting Christmas gifts to children with special needs and children in one-parent families; coverage of expenses for transportation of Municipal students to the secondary schools in Veles, etc.

Municipal officials view social protection decentralization with skepticism because of the insufficient number of employees in the municipality and the weak financial base for the assumption of competencies. Of the total municipal budget, which in 2010 amounted to 33,895,963 denars, 300.000 are allocated for social protection, or about 1%.The realization of the rights to social protection of the population from the municipality of Caska is the responsibility of the Intermunicipal Centre for Social Work in Veles, which also covers the Municipalities of Veles and Gradsko.

According to the data on users of social care in the Municipality of Caska, the largest number of social assistance beneficiaries is 267 (or 12.2% of the total number of households - 2185). Most beneficiary households are from the village of Gorno Jabolciste with predominant Albanian population - 89 (or 33.3% of total users), and the village of Melnica represented by Macedonian Muslims - 32 (or 12% of total users). The other users (146) are distributed in other settlements. There are 33 beneficiaries of permanent financial assistance and 51 users of fees for care and assistance from another person. One-off payment of financial aid has been halted since April 2010 because of the restrictive policies of the MLSP in relation to this kind of social assistance. Generally, there is dissatisfaction among the users in terms of the amount of monetary fees that is insufficient to cover basic living expenses. Great difficulties for users of social assistance from Caska municipality are caused by the remoteness of the CSW. Because of the need for monthly reporting, they must travel to Veles at least once a month. It is necessary to use public transport which is not present in all settlements. Public transport lines apart from Caska District, exist in the following settlements: Melnica, Lisice Golozinci, Izvor, Vladilovci, Stari Grad. This is the biggest problem for the users from remote villages.

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Of the forms of extra-institutional protection, only 1 minor of Albanian ethnicity is placed in foster care. There are 2 clubs for the elderly in the settlements of Bogomila and Caska where, according to the SWC, 160 seniors from Chaska are registered as users and 105 elderly from Bogomila. Within the primary school a Soup Kitchen is operating. According to some information from the field, the Soup Kitchen is used not only by beneficiaries of permanent financial assistance, but also by recipients of social assistance.

Forms of institutional care are used by a total of nine citizens in the municipality: 2 users of independent living with support in Negotino, 1 is accommodated in the SOS children’s village, 2 in the Institution for Rehabilitation of Children and Youth in Skopje and 4 in the Institution for Care of Persons with Moderate and Severe Disability in Demir Kapija.The network of social services in the municipality is not satisfactory regarding both extra-institutional and institutional care. The municipality disposes of facilities that could be used to open small homes for the elderly, a shelter for domestic violence victims and day centers for disabled persons.

Otherwise, the CSW works following the category principle, but its working conditions are difficult. The professional staff consists of: 3 jurists, 2 sociologists, 12 social workers, 2 psychologists, 1 pedagogue and 1 special education teacher. Two professional workers are accommodated in one office, which is unfavorable in terms of the contacts with clients, and CSW has at its disposal only one old and used-up vehicle which is used to inspect the families in the three municipalities and hence, does not meet the needs in conditions of increased workloads.

CSW from Veles cooperates mainly with the Red Cross, which has its field Unit in Caska, however, the citizens are not satisfied with its work. Good cooperation is realized with the primary school of Caska. Also, the cooperation with the clinic is good. The doctor who works in the Caska clinic, occasionally, with the mediation of the CSW, engages in the care of old people in the clubs (pressure measurement, health education, etc.). Collaboration with Employment Centers is very weak. Two years ago, through the form of public works, the club for the elderly in Caska was built, but in recent years the implementation of public works has been dying out. CSW does not have any collaboration with the private sector and religious organizations.

3.1.9 Environment

Caska municipality falls into one of the cleanest municipalities in Macedonia. As an indicator of this is that out of the 92 applications submitted to the Agency for Encouragement of Agricultural Development of the Republic of Macedonia, Working Unit-Veles, 42 applications were made by farmers from the municipality of Caska. This only confirms that clean and healthy environment is a major prerequisite for transition to organic production in the municipality of Caska. Most of the submitted applications are by breeders of sheep and goats, as well as producers of cereals.

As a condition of certification for organic production, a Certification House monitors the producers for 5 years and if their recommendations are met in terms of food production and accommodation of livestock under the Animal Welfare Law, producers shall acquire certification for organic production.As organic producers in transition, farmers benefit when using the funds. So, a subsidy for sheep-breeding is 800 denars per marked head, for goat-breeding, it is 700 denars per marked head, and for cereals it is 2400 denars per hectare.

Today, conventional agriculture is being replaced with organic farming on a daily baiss, which attaches importance to product quality. Caska municipality is considered to be an environmentally clean municipality with quality and clean air. Because the PUC “Topolka” does not operate most water-pipings and waste collection arrangements, there are dumps and pollution of rivers by dumping solid waste and drainage waters. The Landfill for solid waste of Caska District is located in Glinishte, in the area of Rakovec village. Other rural areas are faced with a series of problems regarding waste collection, particularly those areas where they do not practice organized collection.

3.1.10 Gender Aspects

In accordance with the 2007 - 2012 National Plan for Gender Equality and the Law on Equal Opportunities between Women and Men, the need for a systematic approach is emphasized through gender-based institutional mechanisms, in close collaboration with the informal system of prevention and care (NGOs) at both central and local levels with the aim of:1. Prevention of gender-based discrimination, violence and social exclusion of women, particularly pronounced in

rural and other smaller communities and inter-ethnic groups. 2. Formal protection of women’s rights through capacity building and coordination of institutions and services,

primarily at the local level.3. Greater focus on activities aimed at incorporating gender in the policies of central and local levels in terms of

social inclusion through institutional gender mechanisms in cooperation with the NGO sector. 4. Insights into the situation: observing the legal provisions for collection of gender-divided data and analyzing

and having an insight into the situation of women’s social exclusion.5. Adoption of a Strategy for Gender Equality where the Government would show a stronger political will and

readiness, coordinated and more comprehensive work on improving the situation of women in all spheres of

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social action, especially taking into account the special challenges faced by women from different backgrounds. 6. One of the recommendations for greater visibility of activities aimed at promoting gender equality is to rename

the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy into the Ministry of Labour, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities, following the example of many European countries.

7. One of the issues that need to get particular attention in the coming period is the issue of gender-responsive budgeting, or willingness to include gender equality in the process of making budgetary policies and budgets.

In this sense, the 2010-2020 National Strategy for Poverty Alleviation and Social Inclusion, as a specific strategic objective, envisages improving the status of women and reducing the level of poverty and the risk of social exclusion.Regarding the actual situation in the municipality of Caska, of great importance is the existence of the Commission for Equal Opportunities of Men and Women, which in its scope of work includes issues of social protection, health and education of women.

The Commission is composed of five members of the Municipal Council of Caska. Although under the Statute of the municipality of Caska, this Commission is not included as a standing committee, still, the same article states that the Council may establish other permanent and temporary committees, whose composition and scope will be determined by the Act of their formation.

In terms of its sessions, the Commission shall meet “ad hoc”, depending on the case or the need to resolve certain issues in the social sphere. Employees of the municipal administration and representatives of the Council discuss issues and problems in the area of social protection because the municipality has no Commission on Social Security.In respect of the identified vulnerable groups in the community, women do not appear as a group “per se”, but as part of a particular social group independent of gender.

3.2. Identified Vulnerable Groups (Needs and Priorities)

3.2.1. People with Disabilities

LPG has identified the following factors as causes of developmental disabilities: genetic, difficult child-birth, physical injury and untimely medical intervention. This priority vulnerable group is not accepted by the environment and conditions for socialization and social inclusion are not provided to it. People with disabilities face daily difficulties in meeting their basic daily physical activities.

3.2.1.1. Method of Inclusion

Disability, no doubt, can cause restriction of the ability to act and adjust. However, even in case of severe disability, there is still a range of potentials remaining. that can be used sufficiently for inclusion in various activities of social life. Therefore, these people need urgent medical assistance, home care, a day care center, orthopedic devices. People with disabilities need day care centers to be opened because they are limited in their opportunities for leading an independent life and care for themselves. Children with disabilities have a significantly reduced ability to master the demands of life. These children often learn much more slowly, so it is necessary to pay more attention to them than usual, to work with them with greater effort and enough love, so it is essential they be included in regular education. This would enable greater and faster progress in their learning of everyday things, and also their greater social inclusion.

3.2.2. Elderly People (without Family Care and Material Security)

Aging by itself raises a number of new qualitative and quantitative health, economic and social issues. Elderly people are faced with the problem of inability to meet their everyday needs. They do not have sufficient funds, are faced with health problems, age and disability, as well as lack of care (lack of their own home).


It is necessary to provide a decent and safe life of the elderly through protection and establishment of a service for emergency medical assistance, which does not exist in the municipality, through opening a geriatric center, and forming a service for care and assistance at home. Also, they need to be informed on what rights they can exercise through the state institutions. For example, permanent financial assistance, financial assistance and compensation for care by another person, one-off financial aid and assistance in kind, cash compensation for social housing, health care, home care and assistance to an individual and family, day care, temporary foster care and adoption, placement in foster care. For the people who exercise their right to a pension, it should grow in accordance with the growth of living expenses, and the state should provide drugs at the expense of the Health Fund.

3.2.3. Materially Insecure People

Materially unsecured people are faced with a low educational level of their household members, and thus, a low economic potential, as well as poor living conditions and poor health. There are families without a single employee,

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and families where there are employees, but they do not receive their salaries on time.


It is the creation of appropriate socio-economic policy which should ensure the improvement of overall standards and social protection of vulnerable groups. This would be achieved through employment, completion of education, stimulation of small business employment, temporary jobs through projects and self-employment. In agricultural households, because there are greater self-employment opportunities, they need to build on their knowledge of organic production, to brand their products and it is necessary to create conditions for setting up purchase points.

3.2.4. Domestic Violence Victims

The Family Law defines domestic violence as a behavior of family members who, using force, threats and intimidation, do bodily harm, emotional or sexual abuse and financial, sexual or other labor exploitation of another family member. Domestic violence occurs in all cultures, among people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexes and classes that can be perpetrators of domestic violence. The most frequent victims of domestic violence are women. Problems associated with domestic violence are poor financial situation, unemployment, disturbed family relations, crime, poor social behavior and poor social inclusion.


It is necessary to implement the laws, the 2008-2011 National Programme for Prevention of Domestic Violence, to open shelters for victims of domestic violence and their children, to provide psychological support and counseling, training of professional staff from the relevant institutions to work with victims, organize various gatherings and workshops involving NGOs working in the field of domestic violence, including those that provide direct services to victims (legal aid, psychosocial support, psychological counseling, etc.); training, retraining or further qualification, i.e. economic empowerment of victims, and counseling for unemployed people to gain knowledge and skills that will enhance their competitiveness in the labor market and also their employment opportunities, involvement of the business sector in employment and information to prospective employers regarding the subsidized employment measure that includes victims of domestic violence; employment and provision of housing. Domestic violence victims can be helped by training them on entrepreneurship and management of a family business, registering a business / self-employment. Activities aimed at economic empowerment of domestic violence victims are of particular importance, given that financial dependence is one of the reasons why they remain in their violent communities.

3.2.5. People with Unresolved Housing Issues

As a consequence of unresolved material and social status, especially unemployment, a growing number of citizens are faced with the problem of unsolved housing issue. Problems they also face are the clash of generations, a problem with the education of children, poor financial situation. Because of this, disturbed family relations and educationally neglected children occur.


Addressing the housing issue is one of the toughest issues, especially for young married couples. They need independent living, and one way to address this issue, according to LPG is renovation and adaptation of the existing municipal buildings not used for other purposes, such as schools that do not work, etc., which could be re-adapted into social housing.

In earlier analyses of the situation with vulnerable groups in the community, women are also segregated as a separate vulnerable category, as well as the children without parental care. In preparing this strategy, LPG has not set them aside as separate categories, but they are part of the identified vulnerable groups whose vulnerability is contained in the problems of the identified vulnerable categories.

3.2.6. Female Children of Albanian Ethnicity Aged 12 to 14 Years

In the Municipality of Caska, Albanian women underlined the problem with their low education level. They do not even finish primary education, and a very small percentage continue with secondary education. Poverty is one reason why female children of Albanian ethnicity are not studying. It is noted that traditional values are very prevalent among the Albanian population, which further complicates the situation of the Albanian woman. Amendments to the Law on Compulsory Education have not achieved much progress since the penalties are levied, and the female children of Albanian ethicity remain without education. Parents of Albanian ethnicity initiate arranged marriages for girls, where girls have no right to choose .

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3.2.6.1 Method of Inclusion

To create conditions for a long-term solution to the problem of lack of education among female children of Albanian ethnicity and their full integration in the social life of the municipality, first and foremost, a change is necessary in the awareness of the community regarding the attitude towards the education of this category of citizens. Changing the public awareness of the Albanian community towards education of female children will be enabled by a public campaign to change their attitude toward education, by educational and informational workshops for parents, children and teachers to present the benefits of education, as well as through holding public events and forums. 3.3. PESTEL Analysis

3.3.1 Explanation of PESTEL Analysis Tool

PESTEL is an analysis tool focusing on 5 aspects or factors of influence.

The name of this analysis tool comes from the English acronym PESTEL that means: Political Factors, Economic Factors, Social Factors, Technological Factors, Environmental Factors, Legal Factors.Political factors relate to how and to what extent the Government performs interventions in the economy. Economic factors include economic growth, interest rates and inflation. These factors have a major impact on how the economy works and how business decisions are made. Social factors include cultural aspects, as well as health awareness, birth rate, age rate, age representation of the population, opportunities for career development and the factors relating to the protection and safety at work. Social trends affect the demand for company products and services, and the manner of company operation. Technological factors include technological aspects, such as research and development activities, production automation and technological progress. They concern the minimum effective level of productivity and relate to decisions about subcontracting. They can also affect the cost and quality, as well as lead (or not) to technological innovation. Environmental factors relate to the environment, such as weather conditions, climate conditions, especially climate change that may affect the industries of tourism, farming and insurance. The increased awareness of climate change and its impact on the modus operandi of companies, affects the creation of new markets, but also deadens some of the existing markets. Legal factors include legislation relating to the inclusion, anti-monopoly conduct, consumer protection, labor relations, health and safety at work. These factors may affect companies’ operations and costs and market demand.

3.3.2 Effects of PESTEL Analysis on Vulnerable Categories in the Municipality of Caska

Once the vulnerable groups had been identified, the process of identifying external factors that affect their position started. Using the PESTEL analysis tool, political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that influence the identified vulnerable groups were analyzed.According to LPG, political factors relate to the existence or absence of political will and a real opportunity to implement it in the material security of persons who are not eligible for pension rights on any grounds, in accordance with the positive legal regulations. One should examine the political will and the local community’s lobbying capacity in order to address this issue which directly affects the vulnerability of individuals who are identified as vulnerable in the community.

An economic factor to be analyzed is the real opportunity to implement measures for providing the most vulnerable and poor categories in the municipality.

The group of social factors affecting the situation of vulnerable groups also covers the level of openness to accept all categories of vulnerable groups, awareness of special needs, and awareness and acceptance of equal rights and opportunities for all citizens in the municipality. These include attitudes towards the changes that will lead to integration of marginalized groups, and family and environment sensitivity to the rights of persons with disabilities is especially implied here, as well as acceptance of the reality of domestic violence and social efforts to eradicate it. In terms of technological factors, it is known that with the development of technology more human labor is replaced with automated production. Certainly, there should be an analysis of exactly which sectors of the economy it is about and whether the reduction of employment is due to this factor or not. For example, in manufacturing facilities there is a great likelihood for this negative impact of technology development, but in the area of services, this does not have the same impact on new hires, although there may be some negative effects such as in online sales.

Overall, in terms of environment impacts, specific impacts were not identified in the activities for integration of vulnerable categories in community life and work.

As to the legal factors relevant to vulnerable categories, the conclusion is that there is a legal framework for ensuring equality and non-discrimination of any of the categories, and legal framework for labor rights and legal regulations for compulsory primary and secondary education.

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3.4. Priority Action Areas

The Local partnership group, through the process of participatory preparation of the strategic document, has identified the following areas as development priorities of the Municipality of Caska, aimed at poverty alleviation , social inclusion and social protection.3.4.1. Priority Area - Poverty alleviation

“True poverty is not destined by God” - proverb“Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime” - Aristotle

3.4.1.1. Priority Strategic Objective - Increased employment opportunities for endangered and vulnerable groups of citizens in the Municipality of Caska

Unemployment has been identified as a major problem in the municipality and therefore, its resolution is set as a strategic objective No. 1 in the priority area of poverty alleviation .

According to the latest data from the Employment Center, as of 31.10.2010, the registered unemployed persons are 1965, of whom 851 (43.3%) are women and 1114 (56.7%) are men.

In order to solve the problem of unemployment in the municipality, LPG set the following strategic actions:

• Improve dissemination of information about the possibility of (self-) employment through the Macedonian Employment Agency projects, as well as other domestic and international funds.

This strategic activity would be conducted by erecting (where they are lacking) bulletin boards outside the municipal building and the buildings of local offices where, on a weekly basis, data on different self-employment projects organized by the Macedonian Employment Agency would be laid out and updated. Also, visits to the larger settlements in the municipality would be organised in order to hold information and educational meetings along with distribution of leaflets that would contain the required information.

World Bank has already implemented such projects in the community, so this activity envisages lobbying with both the World Bank other donors in order to realize temporary employment.

• Conduct Needs Assessment regarding additional education and implementation of programs (training) for retraining of the local population, in accordance with such needs and opportunities for labor absorption by potential investors and existing commercial facilities.

This activity would be implemented by the municipality, through the deployment of an external NGO or Consultancy that deals with adult education. Training would be realized after the implementation of the analysis of areas of action by investors and existing commercial facilities. The Analysis would show the number, gender and age of persons, who would undergo additional education that would be in proportion to the absorption power of the newly created labor. • Engagement of representatives of socially endangered and vulnerable groups of citizens in public actions for

cleaning, planting and other activities in the municipality. This activity involves engaging the socially endangered and vulnerable groups of citizens in performing activities related to public hygiene and maintenance of the municipality.

Assumptions for the achievement of this strategic goal are: cooperation with relevant institutions, especially with the Agency for Foreign Investment, good coordination with the Neighborhoods, cooperation with the private sector, good and regular information to citizens on the opportunities and benefits of re-training. The risks in the implementation of activities for achieving this goal seem to be the reluctance of investors, the indifference of local people to engage in self-employment projects and jobs, and the lack of municipal funds for the implementation of activities.

The following indicators regarding the achievement of this strategic goal have been established: the number of new employees, the reduced number of social assistance beneficiaries, number of persons who have applied for projects of self-employment, number of employees in self-employment projects, funds obtained from donors to support seasonal employment, number of trainings conducted, list of training participants, amount of investment.

Verification tools are the data and reports of the municipality, CSW and Employment Agency, as well as employment contracts, reports on training conducted by the trainers, lists of training participants, NGOs or consulting firms for assessment and training implementation.

3.4.1.2 Priority Strategic Objective - Development of small businesses by matching the supply and demand of workforce on the labor market in order to absorb the socially endangered and marginalized groups of citizens

The development of small businesses in terms of absorption of socially endangered and marginalized groups of people has been defined as a strategic objective No. 2 in the priority area of poverty-reduction.According to 2008 SSO data, 47 stores are registered in the municipality, not any pumping station and one private hothouse.

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ТИНА ЧАШКА

To develop small businesses in the municipality, LPG has set the following strategic actions:• Preparation of a Strategy for Development of Small Businesses to define the areas of economic activities and

analysis of labor market.

In order to encourage the development of small businesses, the first step that the municipality shoul

CONTENTS · 2012. 3. 14. · 2.1. Caska Municipality Profile 2.2. Strategy for Local Economic...

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