Urban greening for healthy breathing

The current project "Urban greening for healthy breathing" will provide ecological, economic and social benefits in the cross-border region of Kyustendil - Kumanovo through the introduction of nature-friendly solutions, which helps us understand the advantages provided by nature to human society and mobilize investments to maintain and increasing these benefits. In other words, the green infrastructure that is set to be implemented under the project will provide sustainable ecosystem services that will contribute to human well-being and quality of life. The project is aimed at achieving sustainable development of the green infrastructure of the Kyustendil - Kumanovo region, which would achieve synchrony and synergy with the other elements of the environment. The project partners developed this proposal with the aim of effective management and development of green infrastructure, which is achievable with consistent institutional measures, professionally implemented, with public involvement, with the application of modern technological approaches and reasonable consumption of resources to improve living standards. The main goal of the project is: Achieving a sustainable functional connection of the natural and planned elements of the green system in the urbanized cross-border environment Kyustendil - Kumanovo, so that the functioning of the green infrastructure provides multiple benefits for people and continuously improves the quality of life while preserving and development of the natural environment. Specific objectives of the project: 1) Ensuring environmental, economic and social benefits in the Kyustendil - Kumanovo cross-border region through the introduction of environmentally friendly solutions in green infrastructure; 2) Preservation, storage and increase of natural capital, as well as protection of the health and well-being of citizens in the cross-border region; 3) Elaboration of joint green network solutions. The implementation of the project will be carried out through the following approaches: - Development of green infrastructure with sustainable use of resources and environmental protection; - Development of green infrastructure in synergy with the priorities of interregional cross-border development and in accordance with European policies; - Construction of green infrastructure in Kyustendil region and Kumanovo region through economically efficient and environmentally friendly solutions; - Quality maintenance and sustainable development of the green infrastructure with the application of innovative solutions; - Effectiveness and efficiency of green infrastructure management.

After the start of the project and with the aim of the qualitative and effective implementation of the project activities, achieving the set results and indicators of the project, the project partners defined a project team of seven people to fulfill their duties according to the application form, as follows: PP 1 appointed a manager, coordinator and financial officer, PP2 appointed a technical assistant and an accountant. PP3 appointed a methodological expert and an operational accountant. After appointment of the project management team the Lead Partner submitted on time to the Joint Secretariat: Declarations in free format signed by the legal representative of each project partner that the necessary and qualified project staff for the successful implementation of the projectactivities will be kept throughout the whole implementation period; - Copy of an administrative order for nomination of the project team members by each project partner end a short job description; - Statement that Staff costs shall be reimbursed as a flat rate of up to 20 % of the eligible costs under BC 4, BC 5 and BC 6 of the operation. The project team developed an Annex 15 Communication Strategy, the aim of which is to raise awareness of the social significance of the project and the dissemination of its results, highlighting the financial support from EU funds attached to the present report. In addition, the team developed a procurement plan for the project, which was approved by the Joint Secretariat on 09.08. 2024 On 20.08.2024 The Joint Secretariat conducted an Initial Monitoring of the project, where the financial and technical implementation of the project was discussed. According to the approved project procurement plan, in this reporting period after conducting market research and analysis of the received offers, the Municipality of Kyustendil concluded the following contracts - direct agreement according to Art. 20, paragraph 4 of the Public Procurement Low: 1. Organization and implementation of a green infrastructure awareness campaign - Contract No. D-00-837/30.09.2024. 2. Selection of a contractor under the Public Procurement Law to conduct 2 trainings - Contract No. D-00-956/08.11. 2024. 3. Selection of a contractor under the Public Procurement Law to preparation of technical investment project and Exercise of copyright supervision, according to Art. 162, para. 2 of the Territorial Planning Act - Contract No. D-00-906/23.10.2024 with "A2 PROJECT" EOODfor the preparation of investment technical projects and for the exercise of author supervision for the following projects:- "Greening and renovation of a recreation area in the central part of the city" with location: Kyustendil, quarter 257, land property with identifier 41112.5.3.1150 according to the KKKR of the city Kyustendil and - "City Park "Ezerata" located in: Kyustendil, blvd. "Bulgaria", sq. 86, plot I land property with identifier 41112.500.2097 according to the KKKR of the city Kyustendil. The contractor submitted the technical projects prepared in accordance with the contract, but according to Art. 6, para. 2 items 2 of the contract, the Contracting Authority requested revision of the presented technical investment project. The Municipality of Kumanovo (PP2) is responsible for the implementation of the works activity,, Green urban area and community garden in Kumanovo,,.For this purpose, the Mayor of the Municipality of Kumanovo adopted a decision on Public Procurement No. 08-5743/1 of 28.12.2024 to initiate a Simplified tender procedure: TD 01 WORKS – Green infrastructure, BL 6 Infrastructure and works, D1.3.1 Green urban area in Kumanovo.Preparation of the tender documentation is in progress and according to the approved project procurement plan no. 1 / date 09.08.2024 the provisional launching period is July 2025. According to the approved project procurement plan, in this reporting period, a simplified tender procedure for services: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2), for PP3 is planned. The tender procedure refers to Activity 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 of WP1 of the application form, for whose implementation PP3 is responsible. The funds for the tender procedure are provided in Budget Line 4: External expertise and services. The simplified tender procedure: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2) is divided into two LOTS, namely:LOT 1: Consultancy D1.1.1 Elaboration of Green strategy,D1.1.2 Elaboration of Action plan,D1.3.1 Capacity building;LOT 2: Communication and visibility materials,D1.4.1 Communication plan,D1.2.1 CBC network and website,D1.4.2 Project information material.In the reporting period, the following steps have been taken by the Contracting Authority (PP3) regarding the announcement of the tender procedure: - A Public Procurement Decision No. 05-66/10 was adopted on 04.11.2024;A letter of invitation with a complete tender dossier was prepared and sent to six entities on 12.11.2024, with a deadline for submission of tender on 13.12.2024.The tender dossier was published on the website of the Program https://ipa-bgmk.mrrb.bg and on the website of PP3 https://northeastregion.gov.mk/ on 12.11.2024, with a deadline for submission of tender on 13.12.2024;Only one tender documentation was submitted to the Contracting Authority within the submission deadline.The evaluation was started and completed on 23.12.2024 for both LOTS.The award decision for LOT 1 and LOT 2 was made and signed by the Contracting Authority on 24.12.2024.Signing of Service Contracts for LOT 1 and LOT 2 is expected at the beginning of the next reporting period (beginning of January 2025).On 30.10.2024, an informal face-to-face meeting of the project team was held in Kumanovo. Representatives of all partners took part in the meeting, namely Kyustendil Municipality, Kumanovo Municipality and Center for development of the Third-Northeast planning region. The participants in the meeting became thoroughly acquainted with the planned activities for each of the three partners, drew up their action plan for the implementation of the project, as well as a plan for publicity and promotion of the project results. During the meeting, the project procurement plan was discussed, organizational issues related to the management and implementation of the project were also discussed. The project team developed a Project Quality Assurance Plan, the aim of which is to document the necessary information needed to effectively manage the quality of the project from the beginning of the project to its implementation, as well as the achievement of objectives and indicators. According to the approved project procurement plan No. 1 / Date 09.08.2024, in this reporting period after conducting market research and analysis of the received offers, the Municipality of Kyustendil concluded the following contract - direct agreement according to Art. 20, paragraph 4 of the Public Procurement Low: 1. Exercising construction supervision during the execution of construction and assembly works - Contract No. D-00-202 dated on 19.02.2025 with SET ENGINEERING LTD for exercising construction supervision during construction and preparing a Report for assessing the conformity of the investment technical projects for the following objects: - "Greening and renovation of a recreation area in the central part of the city" and "City Park "Ezerata". According to Art. 2, para. 2 of the concluded contract, Kyustendil Municipality assigned the contractor to carry out an assessment of the compliance of an investment project for construction: "City Park Ezerata", located in the town of Kyustendil, "Bulgaria" Blvd., Quarter 86, Plot I, land property with identifier 41112.500.2097 under the CCCR of the town of Kyustendil. In implementation of the contract, a comprehensive report was prepared to assess the compliance of the investment project with the basic requirements for construction. According to Art. 84, para. 1 and para. 2 of the Cultural Heritage Act, a letter was sent to the Director of the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage for coordination of the technical investment project for objects "Greening and renovation of a recreation area in the central part of the city" with location: Kyustendil, quarter 257, land property with identifier 41112.5.3.1150 according to Cadastral map and cadastral registersof the city Kyustendil , given that the project covers part of an urban area with cultural value. To date, no opinion has been received from the Ministry of Culture in connection with the submitted documentation. On 31.03.2025, an informal face-to-face meeting was held in the town of Kyustendil between the project team of the Municipality of Kyustendil and the manager of Prodevelop EOOD. During the meeting, issues related to the organization and conduct of training on the topic "Transition to the Green City", aimed at building capacity in the town of Kyustendil, were discussed. The main goal of the training is to increase the knowledge and skills of local stakeholders in relation to the implementation of green policies and sustainable solutions in the urban environment. The project team of the Municipality of Kumanovo (PP2) worked during the reporting period on the preparation of a tender dossier “Green urban area in Kumanovo”(simplified tender procedure_works) intended for publication. The publication of the tender dossier is scheduled for the next reporting period. During the reporting period, we had constant communication with the Leader Partner to schedule the upcoming training, which the Leader Partner should organize and conduct at the end of April. PP3 has completed the evaluation process of the simplified tender procedure (SERVICIES) with Contract Title: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2) and ref. no. TD01-PP3-BGMK300064/ LOT 1 and LOT 2, as reported in the previous reporting period. All the procedures foreseen before signing the Service Contract were completed.In the reporting period, two separate service contracts were signed for each LOT separately.1. Service Contract with Contract Title: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2) LOT 1 Consultancy, identification number TD01_PP3_BGMK0300064 / LOT 1 on 10.01.20252. Service Contract with Contract Title: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2) LOT 2 Communication and visibility materials, Identification number: TD01_PP3_BGMK0300064 / LOT 2 on 10.01.2025. Signed Service Contracts refer to Activity 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 of WP1 of the application form, for whose implementation PP3 is responsible. The funds for the tender procedure are provided in Budget Line 4: External expertise and services. The funds for the tender procedure are provided in Budget Line 4 External expertise and services. The funds for the tender procedure are provided in Budget Line 4 External expertise and services. The simplified tender procedure: TD 01 Strategy, Capacity building and visibility (LOT 1 and LOT 2) was divided into two LOTS, namely: LOT 1: Consultancy; D1.1.1 Elaboration of Green strategy;D1.1.2 Elaboration of Action plan;D1.3.1 Capacity building LOT 2: Communication and visibility materials;D1.4.1 Communication plan;D1.2.1 CBC network and website ;D1.4.2 Project information material During the reporting period, Municipality of Kyustendil carried out several key activities: On 16.04.2025 An assignment letter was sent to the manager of "PRODIVELUP" EOOD for organizing and conducting training on the topic "Transition to a Green City" for capacity building in Kyustendil and the North-Eastern region in compliance with the agreed deadlines, technical requirements and conditions specified in contract No. D-00-956/08.11.2024 with the subject "Organization and conducting training on the topic "Transition to a Green City" for capacity building in Kyustendil and the North-Eastern region". Within the framework of the implementation of the described contract, a two-day training was carried out for 40 people, including 20 representatives of the Kyustendil municipality and 20 representatives of the Kumanovo municipality and the Center for development Third-Northeast planning region. The training was conducted on 24.04 - 25.04.2025, at the Park Hotel "Kyustendil", on the territory of the Kyustendil municipality. The main focus of the contract implementation was the conduct of thematic training to increase the capacity of the employees of the partner organizations. To recreate the content of the topics and achieve the set goals, interactive methods for training professionals and effective individual and group participation by the trainees were used - a short introductory presentation, organized discussion, group work, brainstorming, joint formulation of conclusions and recommendations. In conclusion, the trainees received certificates for their participation in the training. Also, in connection with the implementation of publicity and information campaign activities under the project, an email was sent to the manager of AB Publishing House EOOD for the preparation of several versions of thematic brochures, as well as the presentation of 2-3 proposals for brochure concepts, including main topics and messages, consistent with the goals of the campaign; After receiving an opinion on 27.05.2025 from the Ministry of Culture for the object "Greening and renovation of a recreation area in the central part of the city", on 19.06.2025 a procedure with number 00426-2025-0039 has been announced: "Implementation of construction and civil engineering works for two sites financed under project BGMK0300064 "Urban greening for healthy breathing" under the INTERREG VI-A IPA Bulgaria - North Macedonia 2021–2027 program". On 01.07.2025, the order was terminated due to lack of submitted offers. The procedure is to be announced again. A letter was sent to the manager of SET ENGINEERING LTD to carry out a conformity assessment of the investment project. Municipality of Kumanovo (PP2) concluded a contract with a contractor for "Green urban area in Kumanovo". Representatives of the Center for development of the Third-Northeast planning region participated in a two-day training on the topic "Transition to a Green City", held on 24.04 - 25.04.2025 at the Park-hotel "Kyustendil", on the territory of the Kyustendil municipality. The main focus of the thematic training was to increase the capacity of employees from partner organizations. In conclusion, the trainees received certificates for their participation in the training. The Project Partner 2 Municipality Kumanovo, for the announcement of a tender procedure “Green urban area in Kumanovo’’ Call for tender Ref.№ -BGMK0300064/TD01/PP2/works activities from the Project ‘’Urban greening for healthy breathing’’ with Ref No.BGMK0300064 Procurements ( WORKS). The letters of invitation was send to five (5) Legal Enities and the tender dossier was published to the following websites: https://ipa-bgmk.mrrb.bg ; https://kumanovo.gov.mk;. Deadline for submission of offer was 16.05.2025, 15:30 (local time) Five (5) offers were submitted and evaluated. The evaluation process of the submitted tenders completed on 28.05.2025. Notification letter and letter for unsuccessful tenderer was sent on 03.06.2025. The work contract BGMK0300064 was signed from both sides on 18.06.2025. A progress report on the implementation of the project and a financial report have been prepared. The first level of control for the costs incurred is underway. Preparation of the Green Infrastructure Strategy has begun. Several meetings have been held with t he selected consultant and the next steps in the strategy formulation process have been agreed. Representatives from Kumanovo and the North-East region are participating in the training organized in Kustendil. Promotional material has been designed and two banners have been printed.