North Macedonia learns about Spain’s environmental inspection model

North Macedonia is making significant efforts to align its legislation and systems with the European Union’s (EU) acquis and environmental and climate policies.

This week, FIAP, in collaboration with the Regional Government of Galicia and the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha, organised a visit as part of the twinning project on environmental legislation in North Macedonia.

The visit brought together a delegation from North Macedonia’s State Environmental Inspectorate with Spanish environmental inspectors – both national and municipal – to enable them to gain first-hand insight into the Spanish model of environmental inspection and the operation of the various facilities subject to environmental control in Spain.

“This means that we are not only a national benchmark in the field of environmental inspection, but that our work also serves as a good example at an international level,” said the Regional Minister for Sustainable Development, Mercedes Gómez, during the opening of the conference.

The event combined technical sessions and field visits. The delegation visited the Regional Ministry of Sustainable Development of Castilla-La Mancha, where they were given a presentation on the organisation of the regional environmental inspection system, the role of environmental officers and cooperation with European networks such as IMPEL and REDIA.

“We are seeking to strengthen European environmental legislation in countries that are in the process of accession, such as North Macedonia. Spain is a good role model for countries the size of North Macedonia, which share geographical similarities in terms of their regional division,” emphasised the project leader, Isaac Gómez.

In addition, the delegation visited a number of leading facilities in the region, including the Ecoparque de Toledo municipal solid waste management plant, industrial sites and a combined-cycle power station, to learn about the monitoring, authorisation and control methods applied by the Spanish authorities.

“One of our main challenges is the shortage of inspectors. Here in

Spain, we have observed many examples of good practice in terms of organisation, technology and inter-institutional cooperation. During our visit to the facilities, we have seen how the economy and the environment go hand in hand in all areas. We want to apply these lessons in North Macedonia,” said Ivana Ginovska, Director of Environmental Inspection in North Macedonia.

The aim of the visit is to strengthen the technical capacities of the North Macedonian Inspectorate through the exchange of experiences and best practices with Spanish authorities. The visit has provided an opportunity to explore key aspects of the implementation and enforcement of European environmental legislation, contributing to the Balkan country’s process of alignment with the EU acquis.