ANKO Western Macedonia S.A. Organisation for Local Development

ANKO established in 1985 and have as stakeholders, the Regional Authority, the Regional Development Fund and the Union of Municipalities of Western Macedonia including chambers and cooperatives of the Region. Its role is to act as a pioneering scientific organization for the regional development approach. The company’s aim is the promotion, support and contribution to integrated regional development, through:
- study, promotion, administration, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects on development, in collaboration and complement action with local authorities, the state and the private sector, and
- support of authorities and inhabitants by providing information and raise awareness continuously, motivation - activation and contribution in the configuration of development strategies and coordination of actions for the implementation of innovative development projects.

ANKO is an organization with a key role in policy making and programming in the region of Western Macedonia with direct contribution to the formation and/or implementation of specific regional policy agendas (programme documents) in institutional and operational way. ANKO participated in the working teams elaborating the final documents of the Regional Operational Programme of W. Macedonia 2014 - 2020 and also has an active role in the elaboration of Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) in Western Macedonia.  ANKO through the participation in national and European programmes and initiatives so far has got a significant experience in the field of sustainable development at regional level and the encouragement and awareness of local actors and citizens.