In Macedonia, Democracy Heralds An End to the “Dark Ages”
“The afternoon classes were the most troublesome,” says Aleksandra Chortanoska. “We struggled to see what was written on the blackboard, especially those of us sitting in the back of the class. There were broken bulbs and lamps out-of-order; it was sort of a murky atmosphere.”
Aleksandra, 17, is a high school student attending Mirko Mileski High School, the second largest high school in Macedonia with over 2500 students and some 170 employees.
Now, the dark ages are over. Bright classrooms and well lit blackboards prevail, thanks to a USAID energy efficiency activity.
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| Students at Mirko Mileski High School no longer strain to read in dark
classrooms |
“Honestly, I couldn’t believe my eyes the first day of the spring semester,” says Aleksandra Pavleska, 16, who attends the same high school. “There are new neon lights placed above the blackboards and on the ceiling. Even in the late afternoon classes, it is as bright as if the sun was still shining outside. Really nice.”
While the students appreciate the improved lighting, the school’s administrators appreciate the cost effectiveness of the new arrangement. The 50 year-old classrooms have 5 times the illumination and electricity costs have been reduced by 15-20%.
“We achieved something very significant. We have improved the quality of the teaching process and saved money at the same time. This rather alternative approach is just what we needed to ease the overburdened municipal budget”, said Vladimir Toleski, the Mayor of Kicevo.
In the same community, a 1970s built facility is home to 20 senior citizens, and is a social hub for many more. In this case, keeping the older residents warm is the priority. Through the same project, USAID provided funds to install insulating tape along the edges of windows and doors.
“The heating has now been significantly improved and we’re saving energy and money”, says Vlado Veljanovski, the manager of the Home. “It’s good the elderly are not forgotten.”
This project was realized in close cooperation with the Macedonian Center for Energy Efficiency (MACEF) and the TIMEL Engineering Company, which was engaged to perform the reconstruction works. The municipal government also made a contribution.
These activities are part of USAID’s Decentralization Project which includes a Municipal Good Governance Fund (MGGF). USAID’s Decentralization Project is assisting Macedonia in the development of more effective, responsive, and accountable local government. With the passage of key decentralization legislation, the project works with municipalities to develop the managerial and administrative capacity they need to successfully assume new responsibilities under decentralization.
The program includes funds designated for IT hardware and software support to selected municipalities to implement their new responsibilities; small scale community improvements that make visible the benefits of decentralization, and; grant support for municipal associations. The MGGF is a funding facility within the program designated to support municipal small scale community improvement projects and IT hardware and software procurement for many municipalities in Macedonia. The awards have been made to projects identified by municipalities with input from citizens, neighborhood associations, non-governmental organizations, and the business community.
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