In North Macedonia, two key local government and utility associations – the Association of the Units of Local Self-Government (ZELS) and the Association of Public Utility Companies (ADKOM) – are strengthening their advocacy efforts to address structural challenges affecting the sustainability and performance of local public services.
While operating from different perspectives, both associations share a common goal: creating better conditions for municipalities and public utility companies to provide reliable, financially sustainable and efficient water and sanitation services to citizens.
ZELS: Strengthening the municipal voice in policy dialogue
As the national association representing local governments in North Macedonia, ZELS plays an important role in representing municipal interests, facilitating dialogue among municipalities and advocating for an enabling environment for effective local service delivery.
Through its governance structures and thematic mechanisms, ZELS provides a platform for municipalities to exchange experiences, coordinate positions and engage with national institutions on issues that directly affect local communities.
ZELS has further strengthened mechanisms for municipal representation in the communal sphere through the establishment of the new Committee for Environment and Communal Activities that will enable broader participation of municipalities and municipal representatives in discussions on communal priorities.
Through the work of its committee, ZELS has provided a platform for municipalities to discuss challenges affecting the delivery of water supply and wastewater services and to jointly consider possible solutions. During the Committee’s sessions, representatives of municipalities, public utility companies, ADKOM and sector experts examined the need for legal and systemic improvements related to water management, including amendments to relevant legislation governing water supply, wastewater management and communal services.
One of the key topics discussed was the need to strengthen the sustainability of water service provision by addressing challenges related to infrastructure management, service quality and financial stability of public utility companies. Discussions also focused on the methodology for determining water service tariffs and the balance between ensuring financially sustainable services and preserving the role of local self-government in decision-making processes.
ADKOM: Advocating for structural reforms in the water services sector
Complementing the municipal perspective, ADKOM represents the voice of public utility companies and focuses on reforms needed to improve the operational and financial sustainability of water service providers.
In dialogue with representatives of the ZELS Management Board, the Energy and Water Services Regulatory Commission (ERC) and relevant institutions, ADKOM presented two strategic initiatives aimed at addressing long-standing challenges affecting public utility companies:
- Clarification and formalization of ownership of public utility infrastructure, addressing uncertainty regarding the management, maintenance and investment responsibilities related to key assets.
- Improvement of the tariff-setting framework for water services, with the aim of ensuring greater predictability and sustainability for utilities while maintaining fair and transparent services for users.
ADKOM emphasized that these are not merely administrative adjustments, but fundamental conditions for attracting investments, improving asset management and ensuring responsible management of public services.
A shared objective: stronger institutions for better public services
The advocacy efforts of ZELS and ADKOM demonstrate the importance of coordinated action between local governments, public utility companies, regulators and national institutions. While ZELS focuses on strengthening the municipal perspective and ensuring that local government priorities are represented, ADKOM brings the operational experience and technical perspective of utilities delivering services every day.
Together, these efforts contribute to a stronger policy dialogue and a more enabling environment for sustainable water and sanitation services in North Macedonia.
The collaboration between ZELS and ADKOM reflects the broader objective supported by RCDN: empowering local government and utility associations to move beyond organizational strengthening and become effective partners in shaping sector reforms, advocating for practical solutions and improving service delivery for citizens.
