On October 29, a panel discussion entitled "Decentralization as a Key for Regional Development" was held in the rooms of the Social Municipality of Chair. The panel discussion was opened by Maria Veljovska - Kondovska from the General Secretary of the European Movement, where she shared the observations of the key issues related with this matter.

As the first speaker from the panelists, the word was taken by Mr. Dejan Pavleski, Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government. He emphasized all the measures taken by the government regarding the decentralization. He emphasized the law on balanced regional development. According to him, Skopje 2014 is a gross violation of the principles of equitable development as around 800 million euros have been spent on a very small space. He then referred to the work and role of the regional councils which he sees as a very good platform. Finally, Mr. Pavleski also presented some of the plans of the Government that should soon be implemented.

Then there was a speech by Mr. Zahir Bekteshi, Chairman of the Council of the Municipality of Cair. According to him, in order to have a balanced development we need to know and optimally use the funds. He listed the key segments that need to be respected when preparing budgets. As a key reason why projects are slow to be implemented, Mr. Bektashi cited insufficient staffing and expertise of municipal administrations. It is most visible both through budgeting and through project implementation.

Milena Dimitrovska from ALDA-Skopje was the next speaker. She presented the results of the project "Civil Society Organizations in the Service of Local Democracy", announcing the publication that will be in the area of financial operations of municipalities. Ms. Dimitrovska also referred to the municipal cooperation, and how much the municipalities cooperate with each other and in which fields the cooperation is most intensive.

The fourth speaker on this panel discussion was Mr. Zoran Jankulovski from the Association of Financial Workers from Veles. He explained the process of how municipalities are often indebted, calling some of the budgets "wishy-washy" because they do not correspond to real opportunities. Insufficient financial decentralization deepens the hole in which many municipalities fall. He also mentioned the Local Action Groups as an opportunity for more stakeholders to get involved in their work environment. D. Jankulovski also explained the publication part of the project, presenting 5 of the recommendations that will follow. It also announced a web application for greater data availability.

Aleksandar Krzalovski was the next speaker. He presented the work of MCIC in relation to local governments, stressing that today they are more in an advisory role. According to him, we know best the problems and also the solutions. He emphasized that many of the things we are trying to solve today were previously well organized, but we were not wise enough to maintain them.

The introductory part of the panel discussion was closed by Prof. Mileva Gjurovska, President of the European Movement. She first thanked to all the panelists and the Cair Municipality for their hospitality. She then referred to Chapter 22, which she emphasized that was a difficult chapter, but we will have to deal with it qualitatively because it can be the solution to many of the problems we consider to be long-term.

Then was followed by a discussion on a range of issues, such as the administrative problems that all residents outside of Skopje have, issues of over-employment versus inadequate staff, as well as issues regarding the true understanding of decentralization by citizens, but also institutions.

The panel discussion was organized within the project CSOs for Making Local Democracy Work” implemented by ALDA, Association of financial Workers of Local Governments and public enterprises and the European Movement of the Republic of North Macedonia financed by the European Union