Completely renovated building for the TFFU Rankovce, delivered firefighting equipment for the firefighters in Kyustendil, and held seminars for fire protection with participation of firefighters from both sides. Efficient protection of existing natural resources, especially the forests, nature, biodiversity and human health, protection of property, as well as improving the skills of firefighters and fire administration from both sides of the border in fire protection.

SEA: How did you get information about the Call for project proposals of IPA the Programme for Cross Border Coordination between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria? Are the Calls for project proposals sufficiently transparent?

МА: For the first call for project proposals by IPA the Programme for Cross Border Coordination between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria we were informed by the partner from the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as from the Ministry of Local Self-Government of the Republic of Macedonia.

SEA: How did you get the idea to apply for such a project? Do you need any institutional aid when applying?

МА: The idea of applying on the project came from the real needs of the Municipality Rankovce for providing space for normal functioning of the newly established territorial municipal fire brigade in the municipality, as well as the need for additional training of the firefighters for more efficient and timely execution of their duties in dealing with fires.

SEA: How did you find a partner from the Republic of Bulgaria to do a joint project and who will benefit from this project?

МА: The partner from the Republic of Bulgaria suggested us a partnership in the project, which we accepted and made a joint project of which directly will benefit the firefighting units Rankovce and Kyustendil and the overall population of the municipality Rankovce, Republic of Macedonia and Kyustendil, Republic of Bulgaria.

SEA: Did you come across some difficulties in the search for a partner?

МА: We had no difficulties in the search for a partner, since, as we have already mentioned, the partner himself proposed a cooperation for this project.

SEA: Who is your partner from the Republic of Bulgaria?

МА: The partner is Euro-Slavic Association of Kyustendil, Republic of Bulgaria.

SEA: For which priority axis of the Call for project proposals did you apply?

МА: Our application or project proposal was under Priority Axis 2 - Improving the quality of life, i.e. 2.1 Utilizing the eco resources.

SEA: What was like the cooperation with your partner from the Republic of Bulgaria?

МА: With the partner from the Republic of Bulgaria we had a good cooperation in the preparation of the project proposal, as well as in its implementation, with regular communication, meetings of the teams responsible for the implementation and we jointly overcome all the obstacles.

SEA: How many people were involved in the project?

МА: For implementation of the project, two teams were formed, one of the municipality Rankovce with three people and a team set up by the partner also with three people, which means that a total of six people with clearly defined tasks worked on the project implementation.

SEA: What is the total budget of the project?

МА: The total budget of the project is 299.413.82 EUR, out of which to the municipality Rankovce 186.078.95 EUR had been awarded and to the Euro-Slavic Association of Kyustendil 113.334.87 EUR had been awarded.

SEA: What did you achieved with your project?

МА: With this project, the goal is achieved, i.e. the building for the TFFU Rankovce was completely renovated, firefighting equipment for the firefighters in Kyustendil was delivered, and seminars for fire protection with participation of firefighters from both sides were held.

SEA: What is the effect of the cross border cooperation? What are the benefits for the Municipality from the implemented project?

МА: There are made working conditions for TFFU Rankovce for efficient protection of existing natural resources, especially the forests, nature, biodiversity and human health, protection of property, as well as improving the skills of firefighters and fire administration from both sides of the border in fire protection.

SEA: Are you satisfied with the implementation of the project?

МА: The municipality Rankovce is satisfied with the implementation of the project, it is fully implemented with all the planned project activities and achieving the project results.

SEA: Would you apply for a new project in another Call for project proposals?

МА: The municipality Rankovce would apply again for another call for project proposals. The municipality participated with its project proposals in the second and third call for project proposals under IPA the Programme for Cross Border Coordination between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria. The project proposals were evaluated as successful, but not enough to enter in the field of project proposals for making an agreement for the grant.

SEA: Could you reveal some specific challenge which you faced in the process of implementation of the project? (eg. co-financing, pre-financing)

МА: The challenge which the municipality Rankovce faced in the implementation of the project was providing funds for payment of the realized activities, since for implementation of an investment project, the municipality had difficulties in providing the funds, and the pre-financing of 20 % is not enough for successful operation. If this percentage would be greater, the opportunity for timely payment or realization and full usage of the funds from the budget of the project would be higher.