Kochani (North Macedonia) - Awarded in 2019

The municipality of Kochani is situated in Eastern region of North Macedonia. For its outstanding efforts to preserve the naturally and culturally rich region of Osogovo mountains the Municipality of Kochani was officially awarded as Model Municipality in 2019. In the beautiful area of Ponikva (Osogovo Mountains), the event was joined by diverse representatives: The German Ambassador, who handed over the award, and representatives from the municipality of Kochani, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Public Enterpise National Forests, Center for development of the East Planning Region, Farmahem. The event was organized by the Macedonian Ecological Society.

Since 2007, the municipality of Kochani has been actively involved in the creation and designation of protected areas in the Osogovo Mountains. Mayor Nikolcho Ilijev was the leader of a lobby group, which has been fostering the proclamation of Osogovo Mountains to become a protected area. 2019, the region of Osogovo Mountains was finally designated as a protected area. Not only on regional level, but also on transboundary level, this achievement contributes to the sustainable development of the whole eastern part of the country. 

For more information, please contact: 

Macedonian Ecological Society:http://mes.org.mk/en/