Clean Air in North Macedonia: A Journey Towards a Healthier Future

It wasn't always this polluted. We were able to breathe during the wintertime. Now, it is a luxury when we can open the windows for fresh air during the colder months. Dragi Janevski,  the director of the Nace Bugjoni vocational educational highschool, reminisces about the past when he and his family living in Kumanovo could breathe cleaner air. Urban planning and reduced greening, increased population density, and consequently, residential heating and traffic congestions have all contributed to poor air quality indices in Kumanovo. 

According to a report published by the European Environment Agency, 96% of Europe's urban population is exposed to unsafe concentrations of fine particulate matter. The situation is similar in all major cities in North Macedonia. Skopje, Bitola, Kumanovo, and Tetovo have featured prominently in reports as some of the most polluted cities in the region. 

"We are not just reacting to the challenge of air pollution," says Maksim Dimitrievski, the Mayor of Kumanovo, "we are working towards securing clean air as a right, not a privilege."

The EU4CleanAir project, an ambitious initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, is supporting these four most polluted cities in North Macedonia to improve air quality. With a budget of EUR 10 million, the project set out to tackle the air quality challenges and make an impact on the environment and public health. With activities related to reducing emissions from heating sources and public transport, urban greening, and by exploring potentials for central heating and improving air quality monitoring the project aims to support local administrations in Skopje, Bitola, Kumanovo, and Tetovo in addressing one of the biggest environmental challenge for their citizens. 

“It is important for the local administration to show initiative and support activities, such as the EU for Clean Air, that will contribute to cleaner air in Kumanovo. We all breathe the same air and we all need to do our part in ensuring that the air that we breathe is not polluted”, says Mayor Dimitrievski.

As part of the project, the Municipality of Kumanovo initiated the transition of heating sources in the Nace Bugjoni and Profesor Mijalkovic schools from extra light oil to gas, a cleaner energy source. This shift was driven by the recognition that outdated heating practices, using polluting energy sources, were major contributors to the city's poor air quality.

"The transition to a cleaner heating system at our school is more than just an upgrade in technology; it's an investment in the well-being and future of our pupils," stated Dragi Janevski, the Director of the Nace Bugjoni school. "By moving away from traditional heating methods to cleaner energy sources, we're ensuring that our students can learn in a healthier environment, free from the harmful emissions that once plagued our school area. This improvement not only creates a safer space for them to thrive academically but also teaches them the importance of sustainability and the impact that green practices can have on their daily lives."

It is estimated that this replacement of energy sources can reduce the emissions of certain polluting substances by 99%. The project will continue to identify additional public buildings that are suitable for similar upgrades and modifications in Kumanovo and in the other three cities.

In addition to these technical upgrades, the EU4CleanAir project is placing a strong emphasis on community involvement, particularly through urban greening initiatives. Pupils and residents of Kumanovo will play a crucial role in transforming their city into a greener, healthier environment. By actively involving pupils and residents in urban greening, the project not only enhances the city's green infrastructure, but also builds a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship among the community.

Recognizing that the joint efforts of the EU, the local administration and UNOPS will contribute to improvement of air quality in these four cities in North Macedonia, comprehensive and steadfast efforts are needed in order to make significant improvements to air quality in the country, as we all need to work together for clean air.