Citizens Help Mountain Village Progress
Economic Development Center helps local groups intent on boosting tourism in one of Macedonia’s prettiest villages.
When Dimitar Chavkaraoski retired he planned to set up a “guest room” business. He had a hunch that his tidy house with its view of Krushevo’s old church, his beautiful garden and the crisp, clear air of this mountain village were a wining formula. But he had no idea how to attract visitors.
Some of his neighbors in the same business had the answer. They invited him to participate in the production of a brochure. The group took their idea to the Local Economic Development Center based in the Citizen’s Information Center. The staff at the center helped the group find funding, coordinated the production and has helped with the distribution of a simple but attractive booklet promoting their businesses.
“We had a few regular guests but we definitely have new guests because of the brochure,” says Chavkaraoski, 70, immaculately dressed in a double-breasted suit and tie. In the kitchen, his wife, Elena is rolling out the dough for a spinach pie. It’s a fresh, sunny morning and light streams into the homey living room full of knickknacks, framed pictures of grandchildren, patterned carpets, and fluffy wool blankets thrown across overstuffed sofas decked with hand crocheted doilies.
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| Dimitar Chavkaraoski (center) discusses tourism brochure with Kosta Mickoski, and a member of the mayor’s staff |
Kosta Mickoski is the coordinator of the Local Economic Development Center, established with USAID funds. “We want to help this town regain it’s prominence as a summer spa and a well-known ski area,” he says. “The new mayor wants to establish a tourist office; the brochure is only a small part of the plan.”
Indeed, the Local Development Center, works closely with the mayor’s office. The premises are a former garage, renovated with USAID funds, adjacent to the municipal hall. It’s an attractive space with two computers and a printer. The hustle and bustle of the weekly open air fruit and vegetable market can be heard through the open door. Krushevo is a picturesque small town of twisting cobblestone streets and plazas shaded by mature trees. But, since the closure of several large factories which dated back to a time when Macedonia was part of Yugoslavia, the town has been struggling economically.
There’s been serious out migration and like many small towns across Macedonia, the population is dwindling and the residents of the town all seem to be nostalgic for days gone by. The USAID project is amongst the efforts to help the citizens of this resort town figure out how to survive in a changing Macedonia. “We are here to help the citizen’s realize their own projects,” says Mickoski. “To the citizen, we hope we are thought of as a place that can meet their needs and help them solve problems.”
The USAID financed center and training for the staff have served as a springboard for more funding and activities. The Center’s staff, in conjunction with the Mayor’s office, is currently working on several larger scale projects including a solid waste management program, a drinking water tank and the construction of a much needed road linking the upper and lower sections of the town. Funding for these projects is being sought from a variety of sources: the Japanese government, the World Bank and others. USAID will continue its training in project proposal writing and project management.
Chavkaraoski points out that he and many others have a real stake in the place—his grandfather and father were both born here and he hopes his children and grandchildren will stay here, too.
“Tourism is critical to our community,” says Mickoski as Chavkaraoski vigorously nods his head in agreement. “It’s an obvious place to start.”
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