This includes the municipalities of Berovo, Češinovo-Obleševo, Delčevo, Karbinci, Makedonska Kamenica, Kočani, Pehčevo, Probištip, Štip, Vinica and Zrnovci.

[3] In terms of geology, the eastern part of North Macedonia including the Bregalnica basin belongs to the Rodopic system (Serbian-Macedonian massif) containing mostly crystallized shales and granites.

The average annual precipitation in the region varies between 506 Millimeters in Kochansko Pole and 672 mm in Maleshevo.

The region is home to multiple plant communities, including geographically restricted national endemics (e.g. Salvia jurisicii).

The forests have an important function in increasing water storage and reducing soil erosion as well as in maintaining biological diversity.

There exists a great variety of animal species in the region, comprising amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds and mammals.

The group of birds and mammals form numerous associations with a large number of individual animals that can be found from the lowest to the highest altitudes.

[5] The region is rich in mineral resources, including important lead–zinc mines in Zletovo, Dobrevo and Makedonska Kamenica.

Over the last two decades, a lack of higher education employment opportunities in most rural settlements resulted in a population migration to the towns and abroad.

[5] The source of the river is located in the forests of the Maleševo Mountains, close to the border of Bulgaria, east of the city of Pehchevo, in an altitude of around 1690 m a.s.l.

To bring forward the implementation of the new Macedonian Water Law and the RBM approach, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MOEPP) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) started in 2012 a collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

[3] MOEPP, MAFWE and SECO selected the Bregalnica river basin as pilot region to apply the RBM approach.

The project started in July 2012 and is co-financed by SECO, MOEPP, MAFWE, and the municipalities of the Bregalnica region.

[3] The main objective of the project is the sustainable management of the water resources in the Bregalnica river basin, by this promoting the economic development of the region, stimulating industry, agriculture and tourism.