On September 27 and 28, 2022, two trainings were held in Skopje, namely a training for self-reliance by relying on one’s own resources and a training for strengthening the capacities for mobilization in the community. These topics are particularly significant for the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which, as leaders of local development, are directly involved in the implementation of joint local community actions in the rural areas they cover. This was also confirmed by the analysis of the needs of LAGs for training and mentoring for building their capacities.
More than 20 representatives from all LAGs that are partners of USAID’s Community Development Program participated in the trainings, including LAG Aber-2015, Belasica-Ograzden, Bojmija, Malesh-Pijanec and Plachkovica.
The purpose of the self-reliance training was to support participatory development in the community towards improvement in the economic, political, and social spheres, as well as to improve the level of social cohesion, social responsibility and mutual support in decision-making processes, cooperation, and resource mobilization of LAGs. During the training, special attention was given to the advancement of communication, exchange of experiences and good practices, and networking between the participants to improve their further cooperation.
Furthermore, the training to strengthen the capacities for community mobilization was focused on familiarizing the participants with the process and mechanisms for engagement, mobilization, and involvement of stakeholders in the creation of policies, which are important to the community. The tools, mechanisms and strategies that were presented to the attendees will be useful for contributing to the constructive, effective, and timely involvement of local stakeholders in the decision-making process for community development.
The participants emphasized that they learned new ways to ensure self-reliance and how to mobilize the community more effectively. Also, they highly rated the facilitators, the topics, and the way they were presented.
These trainings are organized in partnership with SEG Holding as part of USAID’s Community Development Program, implemented by the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia and 5 Local Action Groups.
This activity is part of the Community Development Program, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States Government.