UNDP
North Macedonia
A scoping study was carried out in North Macedonia to understand motivational factors that shape household investment or spending behaviour in adopting energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions among seven target groups (women-headed households, single parents, Roma, households with one or more persons with disabilities, individuals affected by Covid-19, returnees, and recipients of remittances). The study found that households faced several barriers to investing in energy efficiency, and that these manifested differently for each target group. Barriers included lack of awareness of the harmful effects of smoke inhalation, a perception that renewable energy sources are unaffordable, lack of trust in national/municipal government and in banks, and a precarious financial climate (due to the impacts of Covid-19, existing home loans, etc.) Based on these findings, a behaviour change communications campaign has been designed to encourage each target group to apply for incentive-based payments for the purchase of energy efficient and renewable solutions. The campaign will be implemented starting 2023 through local banks.