Increased competitiveness contributing to higher economic growth and higher employment rate, including disadvantaged groups, are one of the main objectives of the Operational Programme for Human Resources development 2007-2013 under the Fourth IPA Component, being promoted by the Government today.Z
 
As regards the Programme realisation, EC has already made EUR 16.3 million available to the Republic of Macedonia, and the Government allocated funds in the amount of EUR 2.9 million. Additional EUR 1.5 million will be allocated in the form of grants intended for the NGOs for projects that will contribute to the improvement of the employment potentials of women from minority ethnic communities in the country, call for proposals for which was announced on 24th June this year.
 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, pointed out that in October 2009, after being conferred the management powers for implementation of the IPA Component for Human Recourses Development, activities were commenced for preparation of projects to be financed under this Programme. Programme priorities are modernization of education programmes so as to provide adequate educational profiles required on the labour market, strengthening the capacities of both the Employment Agency and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in implementing the job creation policies, including the vulnerable groups.
 
As he said, conferral of management powers is only the beginning of the process of capacity building in the public administration and competitiveness of the labour force to contribute not only for effective usage of pre-accession assistance, but also for the entire process of EU integration.
 
– Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance does not only represent funds to financially support Macedonia. It also a mechanism, through which our public administration and all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, should become aware of the European values and give a European dimension to our domestic policies as well, Stavreski underlined.
 
As EU Ambassador, Erwan Fouéré, said, this Programme is a significant step for the country in its preparation not only to manage the crisis and increase economic growth, but also in terms of the EU integration process.
 
In addition to these funds, regular programming of the Operational Programme for Human Resources Development is being conducted for the period up to 2014, during which the European Commission will grant the Republic of Macedonia additional financial allocations in the amount of EUR 20.4 million – funds envisaged for new projects in the area of employment, social inclusion and education.(MIA)
