On March 25, 2011, in the municipality Pehchevo, a meeting on the project "The Balkan Bike Trail” was held, during which future activities to be undertaken by the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region and partner municipalities were discussed in preparation for the upcoming workshop in Sandanski, Bulgaria. The Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region has partnered with Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and the Center for Development of the Southeast Planning Region to complete this project, which aims to create bicycle paths as part of "The Iron Curtain Trail” in the border regions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania.

The trail enters Macedonia through the border crossing at Delchevo, continues through lowland areas to Berovo, Pehchevo, and then continues to Strumica through Bosilevo and Novo Selo, where it crosses the Bulgarian border. Defining the trail involves not only its demarcation, and in this initial phase mapping, but also installing signage to indicate all cultural, tourist, and archaeological sites and monuments, as well as, the items that are traditionally of interest to every rider and hiker. This project is only a beginning for future projects related to the development of alternative tourism in Europe and the world.

On March 7, 2011, the eighteenth regular Meeting of the Council for Development of Eastern Planning Region was held. The agenda for this event was:

1. Adoption of the minutes of the seventeenth Meeting of the Council for Development of Eastern Planning Region;
2. Adoption of the "Feasibility Study to build a mini reservoir for the Kosevichka River;"
3. Review of the Final Accounts of the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region for 2010;
4. Consideration of a proposal for the Annual Action Plan for 2011 for the implementation of the Program for the Development of the East (Bregalnica) Planning Region 2009-2013;
5. Miscellaneous

On March 4, 2011, in a ceremony at Goce Delchev University in Shtip, the University Rector Dr. Sasha Mitrev presented "The Study on the Sustainable Development of Organic Agricultural Production in the Eastern Planning Region." Following extensive field research and data collection, the results were summarized, recommendations offered and responses solicited from the subjects of the study.

Among other things, the study recommends the organization of organic agriculture along sustainable lines in accordance with the natural conditions found in the region. The paper and the strategies defined in it can make a significant contribution to the rapid development of agricultural production, trade and industry in the entire region.

The study was the result of a long development process involving teamwork among experts from various disciplines with a keen awareness of developments on the ground, making it possible for a realistic and actionable produce to be delivered. The expert team from Goce Delchev University approached the work seriously and explored all means of encouraging sustainable organic agriculture. The study indicates promising opportunities for further research, developing action plans and future investments.

On 25.02.2011, at the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, the second meeting of the Steering Committee for the project "Strengthening of administrative capacities at the central and local level for the implementation and enforcement of legislation on waste management” was held.

On 25.02.2011, in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, the first coordination meeting for the “Balkan Velo Trail” approved by the European Commission was held in which the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region became a partner along with Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and the Centre for Development of the Southeastern Planning Region. The project aims to establish bicycle paths to be part of the "Iron Curtain Trail” in the border regions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. The trail enters Macedonia through the border crossing at Delcevo, continues through lowland areas to Berovo, Pehcevo, and then continues to Strumica through Bosilevo and Novo Selo, where it crosses the Bulgarian border.

On 28.01.2011, a representative of the Centre for Development of the East Planning Region and a Peace Corps Volunteer serving with the Municipality of Kocani held a coordination meeting with representatives from the Municipalities of Kocani, Zrnovci and Cheshinovo-Obleshevo as well as a representative from a local Rice Cluster to review the possibility of applying for a SPA Grant funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development in cooperation with the U.S. Peace Corps. An idea for a project aiming to raise public awareness by organizing workshops for rice producers, processors, and exporters and to increase the capacity of the rice cluster was discussed.

On 13.01.2011, at the municipality of Makedonska Kamenica a public meeting on the "Feasibility Study for the construction of mini reservoir Kosevichka River" was held. This study was completed by Hydro- Energo Engineering, DOO and was presented by Mr. Angel Panov, a member of the team of experts responsible for its preparation.

Attendees included representatives from the Centre for Development of the Eastern Planning Region, the Mayor of Makedonska Kamenica, municipal officials, and representatives from the business sector, NGOs, agricultural associations and individual farmers, educational institutions, and the mayors and representatives of LED offices of other municipalities in the region. The presentation aroused wide interest among the attendees who, with their comments and suggestions, are included in the discussion so this important strategic document enjoys the highest quality and most practical application possible. The debate has produced a special report, which was delivered to the team preparing the study.