ZELS is a non-profit organization and the only national association representing all 80 municipalities and the City of Skopje, as a separate unit of local government. It was founded on April 26, 1972. ZELS represents the positions and interests of local self-government units before the central government. ZELS successfully advocates for legal solutions that benefit municipalities, especially through the initiative to establish a Parliamentary Commission for Local Self-Government in the Assembly. ZELS makes a significant contribution to the process of decentralization, thereby actively contributing to the EU accession process. By providing ongoing capacity building for municipalities in areas under their jurisdiction, ZELS supports the development of local democracy in the country.

2030 Agenda and “Leaving no one behind principle”

ZELS has experience working with local authorities to promote the 2030 Agenda and the “Leaving no one behind” principle. In addition, ZELS provided technical support to municipalities in implementing the social mapping methodology in order to gather disaggregated data, explore the deprivation of vulnerable groups and enhance evidence-based social inclusion policies. Key recommendations of the social mappings and the “Leaving no one behind” principle” are now integrated into the municipal programs as well as into the municipal social welfare development strategies.
If a municipality is interested in learning more about the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, using the social mapping methodology and incorporating the LNOB principle into local policies, please get in touch with
the Association of the units of local self-government of the Republic of North Macedonia – ZELS contact@zels.org.mk