Awareness raising

The project increased awareness and understanding of land consolidation among farmers, landowners and key national stakeholders. In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE), it organized public campaigns, community workshops, information meetings and farmer-to-farmer activities. Media events, field visits and communication materials highlighted how the European Union, FAO and MAFWE worked together to advance land consolidation in North Macedonia.

Knowledge and capacity development

The project strengthened the technical and administrative capacities of MAFWE, public institutions and private geodetic companies to implement the National Land Consolidation Programme. Training was provided to 125 MAFWE employees, 24 National Extension Agency staff, 20 specialists from other public institutions and 45 private-sector experts.

Procedures and tools

The project strengthened the legal, institutional and operational framework for land consolidation through:

• improved legislation and implementation procedures;
• procedures for project selection, feasibility studies, land re-allotment planning and infrastructure design;
• a Rural Development Programme support measure for land consolidation and integrated rural infrastructure; and
• digital tools supporting programme implementation.

Land consolidation projects

The project supported the implementation of land consolidation projects on the ground, involving more than 6 200 farmers and landowners during the feasibility phase and 2 550 farmers and landowners during the land re-allotment phase. Key results included:

• a countrywide feasibility assessment and the selection of 21 potential project areas;
• 14 feasibility studies for Logovardi, Optichari, Trn, Zhabeni, Sokolarci, Spanchevo, Cheshinovo, Chiflik, Dabjani, Konche, Kozhle, Carev Dvor, Stojakovo and Leshani;
• nine land re-allotment plans and agricultural infrastructure designs for Konche, Egri, Logovardi, Optichari, Trn, Dabjani, Kozhle, Sokolarci and Spanchevo;
• adoption of seven land re-allotment plans by participating farmers and landowners; and
• construction of access roads and drainage and irrigation channels in Egri.

Monitoring and evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for measuring benefits of land consolidation at both Land Consolidation Programmeand project level was developed, along with digital tools, providing basis for monitoring of land consolidation projects and the National Land Consolidation Programme.