Newsletter No.

1, February 2012

CeProSARD
CeProSARD Anniversary On 29th February 2012, CeProSARD celebrated 4 years of its activity and took the opportunity to present its achievements to date and plans for the future. The event was held at the European Union Information Centre. Guest speakers at the event were H.E. Lars Wahlund, Ambassador of Sweden, Joseph Lessard, Director, Economic Growth USAID/Macedonia and Mr. Filip Ivanov, Director Administration of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning. Read more CeProSARD supports the Youth Exchange Project "Think GLOBAL-Act LOCAL About us Welcome to this CeProSARD newsletter, the first of what will be a regular update of our activities. CeProSARD, the short name for the Centre for Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Rural Development, is a Macedonian NGO that has been in existence since February 2008. We use a multidisciplinary approach to provide support and expertise to sustainable development in the country and in the region. Our focus is on rural development, taking constantly into account local economic development, protection of the environment, and protection of the cultural heritage. We have a particular emphasis in our activities on agriculture, climate change, utilization of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, to contribute to the creation of a favorable social environment for future generations of citizens, living both in cities and in rural areas. We use a network approach in our activities, involving Governmental institutions, nongovernmental organizations, cooperatives, private sector and individuals in every way possible. We are a team of twelve specialists, with expertise in a wide range of fields that includes sustainable local development, agricultural and rural development, renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, environmental engineering, economics and business management, organic farming, gender empowerment, cultural heritage, and communications. We approach all assignments, large and small, with a positive attitude, determined to give the best service so that we can achieve our objectives. If you have any comments on this newsletter, we will welcome them! Please contact us at info@ceprosard.org.mk . Svetlana Petrovska, CeProSARD President In August 2011 eight young people from Macedonia participated in a youth exchange workshop in Latvia, along with colleagues from Latvia and Serbia. The aim of the workshop, which is part of the EU financed initiative "Youth in Action", was to motivate young people in rural areas to participate in decision making processes and raise their awareness of possibilities for sustainable development. In addition to the formal programme, there was also time to see the local landmarks and to taste local delicacies. Read more CeProSARD and the Consumers' Organizations of Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding On 17th January 2012, CeProSARD, represented by Mrs. Svetlana Petrovska, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the Consumers' Organization of Macedonia, Mrs. Marijana Loncar-Velkova. This MoU demonstrates the determination of the two counterparts to cooperate in different fields of interest in order to exchange mutual professional support in various activities. Read more Workshop "Using agricultural land for growing crops for energy production and with positive environmental impact In line with global concerns for food security and sustainable agriculture and with the support of the National Democratic Institute, CeProSARD has continued with the legal initiative to provide an appropriate legal framework related to land management and energy crops production, while conserving biodiversity and good land management. Currently, a lot of agricultural land in Macedonia is not used, so in principle biomass from energy crops can be a valuable energy source. However, lessons already learned from Europe warn us that excessive and continuous planting of these crops can have serious consequences on agricultural land, and can even threaten food security, if good quality land is used primarily for energy crops. The first workshop on this theme was organised in Skopje on 26th January 2011 at the Hotel Arka, and gathered together Parliamentarians and experts with particular responsibility in the fields of agriculture and environmental protection. After the change of the parliamentary representatives. Another one was held in November 2011, also in Skopje, and the third workshop was organised in Bitola on 13th December. The subject of these seminars was the legislative initiative "Agricultural Land Management for Energy Crops and Renewable Energy Production". Read more USAID - AgBiz Program Strengthening Public-Private Dialogue through the Increased Utilization of Effective Advocacy for Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Processed Vegetables Value Chains USAID supports economic growth in Macedonia through programs that strengthen and improve competitiveness of Macedonian agribusinesses, improve the business environment, and encourage local economic development.
Photo by USAID's AgBiz Program: Agricultural Products

The AgBiz Program identified the need to establish sustainable communication tools and channels that will enable regular communication and exchange of experience among Macedonian Government institutions and Value Chains participants. CeProSARD was chosen as a Lead Facilitator to implement this activity because of its extensive working experience gained through previous engagements of its staff in the Macedonian Government institutions. The engagement includes development of policy, strategies and other documents. Read more

"Woman, Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency

CeProSARD
Agro Energy project Promoting Sustainable Farming and Energy Practices in Rural Communities In December 2008 CeProSARD began a long term co-operation with the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA) to implement a project that has the aim to promote sustainable practices for the use of renewable energy sources and to improve energy efficiency on farms and other entities in rural areas in the Republic of Macedonia, commonly referred to as the "AgroEnergy" project. The project is being implemented in two phases.Until January 2010 work focused on: ? Completing a study of the types of resources that can be harnessed for renewable energy and energy efficiency; ? Identifying the current situation in the rural sector and the interests of farmers in the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Macedonia; and ? a network of entities active in the area. Creating This phase culminated in the preparation and publication of a monograph entitled "Energy from agriculture to agriculture" in three languages, Macedonian, Albanian, and English. From January 2010 until the end of 2012 activities are concentrating on three principal areas: ? Establishment of pilot farm units to demonstrate the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures; ? Strengthening the capacities of all stakeholders (farmers, consultants and institutions) and raising awareness of topics related to renewable energy and energy efficiency; and ? Supporting institutions in the process of adjusting the legal framework, and support policies in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The objective of establishing pilot units is to develop small training centers where farmers can have the opportunity to become familiar with both the technology and processes for the best use of renewable energy on farms in rural areas. Initially the criteria for selecting pilot farms were agreed, and then farmers were invited to submit project ideas via public call for proposals. By mid 2011 pilot farms were identified, and thereafter work started immediately on purchasing and installing equipment. In every case a clear budget has been established that confirms the sharing of costs and responsibilities between the project and the farmer. Currently, the project is working to establish a Training Centre to demonstrate the possibilities for sustainable development using renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The Centre will be constructed (or refurbished as appropriate) taking into account all energy efficiency parameters and will be equipped to produce and use renewable energy. Read more

Within the gender equality component of the SIDA financed "Agroenergy" Project, in the autumn of 2011 we organised workshops on "Woman, Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency" in six cities of Macedonia. On behalf of the organisers CeProSARD , Gabriela Micevska, Svetlana Petrovska, Snezana Janevska, Ljiljana Tanevska, and Ljiljana Buckovska participated, supported by guest speakers from the Ministry of Economy and Consumers Organizations, who made various presentations at the workshops. The first workshop was in Skopje in Municipality Center on 26th September 2011 followed on 29th September at Stip, Bitola on 17th October, Strumica on 31st October, Tetovo on 17th November, and the last was held in Resen on 12th December. All workshops had large attendances and the subjects discussed stimulated great interest. The number of attendees at all the workshops was around 200 people. Read more

Do you know? European Commission Development and Cooperation EuropAid - Call for proposal: Civil Society Facility Partnership Programmes for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Read more Second Call for Project Proposals Greece-the former Yugoslav Republic of M a c e d o n i a I PA C r o s s - B o r d e r Programme 2007-2013 Read more A date for your diary! From April 25 to May 09, 2012 an exhibition of photographs within "A Balkan Tale" project, implemented in Macedonia by CeProSARD, will be held at Kurshumli Inn, Old Skopje Bazaar.

One of the CeProSARD pilot units in AgroEnergy project is manufacturing briquettes from straw at Puzderci, Probistip One of the pilot units, that are part of the SIDA financed "Agro Energy Project" which is being implemented by CeProSARD, has completed the installation of equipment that has been provided as part of project support. In this case, CeProSARD has helped the farmer, Mr Ilija Sarafimov, to install equipment to produce briquettes that can be used as a source of heat from straw. This is the first machine of this type in the Republic of Macedonia.

Mr Sarafimov, from Puzderci village near Probistip, has had a surplus of straw on his farm for a number of years, and had resorted to burning the excess supplies. This is not an appropriate solution anymore, since the burning of straw is prohibited by law in our country. Because of this, he realised that he must find another way to use it. Having heard about the call for proposal within the "Agro Energy" project he prepared and submitted his project for using straw as a renewable resource. Already he is delighted with the results from this joint initiative. Read more

CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT st.Orce Nikolov 172, 1000 Skopje, phone/fax: +389 2 3061 391 e-mail: info@ceprosard.org.mk, web page: www.ceprosard.org.mk