Monday, May 18, 2015

The Center for Research and Policy in cooperation with the Academy of Political Studies from Albania, in the frames of the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation project entitled "Initiative to Enhance Public Dialogue on Sustainable Use of Energy" financed by the EU, successfully organized the first Energy Efficiency Fair in Bitola. The event was held from May 15 to 17this year in the Center for Culture-Bitola and it was the final activity of this joint project. More than 35 exhibitors exhibited at the fair, which was officially opened by Marija Risteska, executive director of CRPM, Erjon Tase from APS and Sonja Karapashovska, a member of the council of the municipality of Bitola.          
At this event, several companies operating in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable use of energy presented their products and services, whereas the visitors were able to obtain information on a range of products such as solar collectors, software solutions for rational handling of energy, household appliances with high energy class, modern heating and cooling appliances, windows with high energy characteristics and etc.                                        
Also the fair was attended by banks that presented its "green" credit lines for improving energy efficiency in the habitats, as well as non-governmental organizations presenting their implemented projects.                                        
The program of the fair included six panel discussions in which businesses, NGOs and banks showed their best products on the market and their advantages that lead to the promotion of energy efficiency. In addition, CRPM organized a panel discussion in which NGOs have stressed the importance on the local civil sector to be more involved in projects in this field in order to raise awareness and knowledge of this topic among the locals. In parallel, there were several children's workshops at which youngest by making origami and drawings learned more about energy efficiency, rational use of resources and environmental protection.                               
Within the frames of the respective fair, the best photos and drawings on the theme "Energy efficiency and rational use of energy - a challenge for all of us" were awarded. The first prize for best photography went to Kristijan Mitevski from Skopje, while the best drawing was painted by Mario Matevski, Bitola.