The Republic of Macedonia is mountainous and hilly country. Mountain and semi-mountain areas comprise 83,7% of the national territory, and 30% of the Macedonian population live in 1,028 communities in those areas. But despite this fact, the "mountain areas" are not a specific focus for sustainable development on the national level in the Republic of Macedonia.
The mountain regions and the population there are facing many problems: such us depopulation, poverty, high unemployment rate, environmental problems, communication and infrastructure problems as well as the political and economic marginality.
The specific features of mountain regions call for development approaches that duly consider the natural, social and cultural values, as well the particular constraints that recognize mountains as providers of essential goods and services to the national economy.
Therefore the main objective of MAKMONTANA is to promote the sustainable mountain development and is committed to mountain people and mountain resources in the Republic of Macedonia.