The first official meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the EU-funded project “Improved Implementation of the EU Floods Directive through Harmonization of National Legislation and Preparation of Flood Risk Management Plans” took place on March 24, 2025 at the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP).
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Delegation of the European Union, the Central Financing and Contracting Department (CFCD), the Centre for Crisis Management (CMC), the Hydro-Meteorological Service (HMS), the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA), and members of the project team. The participants reviewed progress made during the inception phase and discussed planned activities for the next six months of the project implementation.
Project experts provided an overview of the work carried out in the initial phase, highlighting preparatory steps taken toward aligning North Macedonia’s national legislation with the EU Floods Directive and laying the groundwork for effective flood risk management planning.
During the meeting, the importance of close coordination with the EU-World Bank initiative “North Macedonia – Investments in Resilience, Governance, and Recovery for Disaster Risk Reduction” was emphasized. While the World Bank project focuses on disaster risk governance, preparedness, and investment in critical infrastructure, the EU Floods Directive project concentrates on prevention and preparedness for flood-related risks. Establishing synergies between the two projects will be essential to ensure alignment and maximize the impact of both initiatives. To that end, the Consultant will initiate meetings with representatives of both projects to identify opportunities for collaboration and harmonization of efforts.
Looking ahead, the project plans to organize two international study visits, as outlined in the Terms of Reference. The Consultant has proposed Austria or Slovenia as potential destinations for the first visit, to be scheduled for either May or September 2025. These visits aim to enhance institutional knowledge and capacity by exchanging experiences with EU Member States in flood risk management and implementation of the EU Floods Directive.
The PSC meeting marked a significant milestone in project implementation, reaffirming the commitment of all involved institutions to strengthening North Macedonia’s resilience to flood risks and advancing its alignment with EU environmental standards.
