Technical Handbook for development of Resilient Recovery Framework in North Macedonia

This technical handbook provides guidance for developing a Resilient Recovery Framework (RRF) in North Macedonia, aligning with European Union and international best practices. It consolidates evidence, methodologies, and tools from the EU-funded “Preparing for Futures” project and draws on multi-hazard risk assessments, socio-economic vulnerability analytics (Disaster Vulnerability Index), stakeholder consultations, and a review of current institutional, legal, and data landscapes across all 80 municipalities. The Handbook describes the scope of disaster risks in North Macedonia, highlighting frequent floods, wildfires, heatwaves, earthquakes, and systemic data and governance gaps, and details step-by-step actions needed to shift disaster recovery planning from a reactive to a risk-informed, strategic approach.

Key findings include the urgent need for a legal mandate establishing recovery as a distinct phase of disaster risk management, designation of a national lead institution, creation of a unified Loss & Damage information system, predictable disaster risk financing, and enhanced municipal capacity for risk-informed recovery planning. The accompanying Roadmap sets out phased reforms in institutional, financial, legal, and technical systems over the next 1–10 years.