The last panel discussion within the project "CSOs for making local democracy work" entitled "European Integration in the North-East Planning Region: Rural Development - Urban Perspectives" was held on 31.01.2020 in the hall of the Council of the Municipality of Kumanovo organized by the European Movement in the Republic of North Macedonia.

The panel brought together a number of representatives of local government, civil society and farmers from the region who had the opportunity to discuss their problems and seek advice or assistance on how to improve their situation.

The panelists presented the current state of agriculture in the country, the IPARD program and other pre-accession assistance programs and referred to suggestions for how farmers could be more involved in policy making.

During the discussion, education and insufficient access to knowledge and information were identified as the most crucial problems by farmers. Some of the participants noted that they face administrative difficulties and spend a lot of time working on administrative tasks rather than working in the fields.

The panel discussion was organized within the framework of the project "CSOs for making local democracy work" financially supported by the European Union.