Country Programming Framework

North Macedonia Country Programming Framework (CPF)

The Country Programming Framework (CPF) for the period 2021-2025 is FAO’s planning and programming strategic document to respond to the challenges faced by the agrifood system of North Macedonia. The CPF aligns with the strategic priorities outlined in North Macedonia's key policy documents and sector-specific plans, namely the National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development 2021–2027, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2009–2030, the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions, as well as the EU Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III Rural Development Programme (IPARD) (2021–2027) for North Macedonia. It is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025 as well as the FAO Strategic Framework for 2022-2031.

The CPF aligns with the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. FAO’s contributions encompass all SDGs, structured around four key aspirations: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Inclusiveness, with a focus on gender, youth, and vulnerable groups, is integrated as a cross-cutting theme across all CPF interventions.

The CPF supports the realization of two UNSDCF strategic priorities:

1. Sustained and inclusive economic and social development
2. Climate action, natural resource management, and disaster risk management 

Strategic priority 1: Sustained and inclusive economic and social development

CPF Outcome 1: By 2025, the living standard of all people in North Macedonia is improved through equal access to decent work and productive employment, generated by an inclusive and innovative business ecosystem (UNSDCF Outcome 1).

CPF Output 1.1: Enhanced and gender-responsive policy and regulatory measures that foster job creation, entrepreneurship and financing for inclusive and green growth (UNSDCF Output 1.3).

FAO supports the Government in developing and implementing effective, evidence-based policies and programs aligned with EU standards to advance the achievement of the SDGs, with a focus on agriculture and rural development. FAO has assisted the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy (MAFWE) in enhancing its capacities in agricultural price and market information systems, as well as policy monitoring, to better address short-term shocks and risks (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and long-term market uncertainties. This support enables the Ministry to address agrifood trade and food security challenges while making informed policy and planning decisions for agricultural development. Additionally, FAO provides support for policy measures and systems aimed at strengthening veterinary and phytosanitary services.

CPF Output 1.2: Policies and capacities strengthened for sustainable and competitive rural economy aligned with the European Union, with focus on small farms and women farmers (UNSDCF Output 1.5).

FAO provides technical assistance to transform the agrifood system in alignment with EU standards by strengthening policy and institutional capacities at the national level and supporting farms and communities locally. Key priorities include assisting MAFWE in implementing and scaling up land consolidation projects under the National Land Consolidation Programme, as well as advancing other land market instruments. FAO also supports integrated local development, sustainable production technologies for smallholders, income diversification in rural areas, and improved access to markets, value chains, and inclusive rural services. Additionally, FAO aids the country’s EU approximation efforts in animal health management, food safety, and quality, including upgrading the Animal Information System and enhancing national Codex structures to address food safety and public health challenges in the context of food trade.

Strategic priority 2: Climate action, natural resources and disaster risk management

CPF Outcome 2: By 2025, people in North Macedonia benefit from ambitious climate action, sustainably managed natural resources and well-preserved biodiversity through good environmental governance and disaster-resilient communities (UNSDCF Outcome 3).

Under this Outcome, FAO supports North Macedonia in addressing climate change challenges in agriculture, forestry, water resources, biodiversity, and adaptation efforts. Issues such as resource degradation, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable forest management, which threaten sustainable development, are being tackled with FAO’s assistance. Government capacities, mechanisms, and institutional frameworks are being strengthened to access and manage environmental and climate finance from mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Adaptation Fund (AF). FAO also helps enhance gender-responsive environmental policymaking and strengthens governance and capacity for implementing and reporting on multilateral environmental agreements.

CPF Output 2.1: The enabling policy environment, capacities at central and local level and community actions are strengthened for low-emission development and multisector resilience to climate change (UNSDCF Output 3.1).

The main focus under this output is on strengthening the Macedonian Government’s capacities for climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the finalization of a Country Work Programme for the GCF. This involves establishing effective coordination mechanisms, methodologies, and procedures, as well as developing the first pipeline of GCF interventions in priority sectors such as energy, transport, water resources, agriculture, waste, biodiversity, health, forestry, and cultural heritage. FAO also supports the development of a national vision for a climate-resilient seed system and capacity building at central and local levels for producing high-quality, resilient seeds. Furthermore, sustainable agricultural productivity growth is promoted by enabling the use of high-quality data for for policymaking in the context of climate-smart agriculture and agroecology.

CPF Output 2.2: Solutions are identified and scaled up at central and local levels for integrated, sustainable and inclusive management of natural resources (water, land, forests, biodiversity) (UNSDCF Output 3.2).

FAO supports the Government in implementing sustainable solutions at national and local levels for managing land, soil, water, and forestry resources, while preserving biodiversity. Efforts focus on generating knowledge and building capacities to enhance climate adaptation at both institutional and local levels. This includes improving access to climate and weather services and strengthening the adaptive capacity of agricultural production in targeted regions through investments in irrigation infrastructure and integrated sustainable water and land management.

CPF Output 2.3: Capacities at central and local levels are strengthened to identify multi-hazard risks and to plan, finance and implement effective disaster risk reduction and response, in line with the Sendai framework (UNSDCF Output 3.4).

To enhance resilience in the agriculture sector, efforts focus on strengthening institutional capacities for sustainable water management during extreme climatic events, particularly in irrigation and drainage. Activities include equipping farmers with climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices through field demonstrations, providing capacity-building support to the National Hydrometeorological Service, piloting water-saving technologies, and assisting MAFWE in developing a new National Irrigation and Drainage Strategy. Additionally, FAO has conducted comprehensive analyses of agriculture-related legal, policy, and institutional frameworks to strengthen the planning and implementation of effective disaster risk reduction and response measures in the agricultural sector.