Introduction
The Republic of North Macedonia GCF-approved proposal aims to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change by integrating adaptation planning into national and sectoral processes. This initiative seeks to address the risks of climate change, such as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes threaten various sectors, notably agriculture, which is crucial to the country's economy. The project will focus on enhancing the capacity of key institutions at national and local levels, targeting five sectors: transport, agriculture, water resources, forestry, and cultural heritage. It is designed to support national development goals while complementing other climate-related efforts. The project is built on input from a multi-year, gender-balanced consultation process, which identified three challenges: a lack of coordination and technical capacity, insufficient data and tools for effective adaptation planning, and limited private sector involvement.
The project was approved in September 2024.
Project details
Over the next three years, North Macedonia will develop its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to better prepare for the impacts of climate change. The country is already experiencing rising temperatures, less rainfall, and more extreme weather events—especially heatwaves—which are putting pressure on key sectors like agriculture. This new plan will focus on five priority areas: transport, agriculture, water resources, forestry, and cultural heritage. The project will work with institutions from the national to municipal levels to make sure adaptation is built into development planning.
The NAP process will bring together government agencies, civil society, the private sector, youth groups, and academia to ensure that diverse voices are included. A major part of the work will be gathering and analyzing data about how vulnerable different areas and sectors are to climate change. This information will help guide the development of a clear investment action plan that outlines the steps North Macedonia needs to take to build climate resilience. Special attention will be given to gender equality and including the needs and perspectives of women and vulnerable groups.
To build this plan, the project will use a “nexus approach,” looking at how sectors interact—like how water and agriculture depend on each other—and identifying both opportunities and trade-offs. A detailed consultation process will involve workshops and discussions, allowing stakeholders to shape the NAP at every stage. A monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system will also be created to track progress and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Once the final draft of the NAP is ready, it will be reviewed by experts and validated through a national workshop, aiming for at least 50 percent female participation. After its approval, the plan will be submitted to the UNFCCC and published online to make it widely accessible. This open approach will raise public awareness, encourage active participation, and support a long-term commitment to climate action across North Macedonia.
- National
- National Governments
- Government of Republic of North Macedonia
News
Key results & output
Outcome 3.1 Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened
Outcome 3.2 Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact
Outcome 3.3 Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed
Outcome 3.4 Climate change adaptation in the country advanced