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A €3.07 million project aimed at protecting and sustainably managing Lake Doirani has been launched under the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–North Macedonia 2021-2027 Cooperation Program.

The targeted call for project proposals, titled “Optimal Governance in Lake Doirani,” was signed by Greece’s Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis. The initiative has a total budget of €3,071,591.

According to an announcement by Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the project seeks to establish a comprehensive cooperation framework between authorities and organizations in Greece and North Macedonia for the protection, monitoring, and sustainable management of Lake Doirani.

Cross-border environmental cooperation

The project will be led by Greece’s Decentralized Administration of Macedonia–Thrace, in cooperation with the Greek Biotope/Wetland Center, North Macedonia’s Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, and the Center for Development of the Southeast Region of North Macedonia.

The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between national and local authorities responsible for the lake’s management and includes a series of environmental and infrastructure measures.

Planned actions include:

  • Supporting environmental and hydrological management plans for the area.
  • Raising awareness among local communities, with a focus on students, farmers, and other groups living near the lake.
  • Developing and implementing integrated environmental strategies for Lake Doirani.
  • Creating joint governance structures and procedures between the two countries.
  • Installing a photovoltaic system in North Macedonia to reduce the energy costs of operating the lake’s water enrichment mechanism.
  • Supplying specialized equipment and establishing joint management of critical environmental information.

Two-year implementation period

The project is expected to last 24 months from the signing of the funding agreement.

The issuance of the call activates the full available budget of the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–North Macedonia 2021-2027 program, which totals €33 million. The move is intended to ensure the full use of available European and national funds and accelerate planned interventions.