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.