Lake Doirani: €3 million project for its protection and sustainable management

A significant joint initiative between Greece and North Macedonia aims to safeguard Lake Doirani through a comprehensive protection and sustainable management plan. The project, titled "Optimal Governance in Lake Doirani," has a budget of €3,071,591 and is part of the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece-North Macedonia 2021-2027 Cooperation Program.

The project is spearheaded by the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia-Thrace in Greece and the Hellenic Centre for Nature Conservation, in collaboration with North Macedonia's Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and the Center for Development of the Southeast Region. Their collective goal is to establish an integrated framework for cooperation between the responsible authorities of both countries to ensure the lake's protection, monitoring, and sustainable use.

Key objectives include developing environmental and hydrological management plans, conducting awareness and sensitization campaigns targeting local populations like students and farmers, and implementing integrated environmental strategies specifically for Lake Doirani. The project will also focus on creating and developing joint governance structures and procedures.

Furthermore, the initiative includes installing a photovoltaic system in North Macedonia to reduce the operational energy costs associated with the lake's water enrichment mechanisms. Specialized equipment will be procured, and critical environmental information will be managed jointly. The project is slated to last 24 months from the signing of the funding agreement, marking the full activation of the Interreg program's budget.