APM and UNDP have created a joint platform to significantly promote and utilize mediation.

Regional balanced development is a prerequisite for fostering greater economic growth in the country. Therefore, the involvement of UNDP, through the partnership with APM, in promoting mediation will primarily focus on the local level. The platform's objective is to demonstrate that the use of mediation by local communities can facilitate the resolution of disputes among all stakeholders. Through this platform, basic information necessary for all representatives of local governments in our country will be provided to further promote and maximize the use of mediation among legal and natural persons.

In this regard, we invite all interested municipalities to express their interest in participating in the joint platform by July 15, 2024. Please contact Katerina Tasevska, project assistant, via email at katerina.tasevska@undp.org or by phone at 078/642-246.
From September 2024 onwards, APM and UNDP will organize events in each of the registered municipalities where mediation experts will inform mayors, representatives from the legal and financial sectors of municipalities interested in participating in these activities, as well as company executives, department heads in legal, financial, and human resources fields, and all interested legal and natural persons who wish to learn about and participate in mediation. Companies and individuals who can be participants in the mediation process will be invited to these informational meetings.

Through our joint activities, we aim to achieve the following:
• Resolve disputes between business partners and the local community,
• Maintain good business partnerships,
• Increase predictability of future events,
• Rationalize costs compared to overcoming existing disputes,
• Avoid prolonged legal proceedings, thereby relieving the judicial system,
• The primary goal is to enhance the capacities of municipalities, promote balanced regional development, release liquid assets, implement EU recommendations, and foster greater economic growth,
• Mediation proceedings have the force of an enforceable instrument if an agreement is reached and certified during the process.