Announcement - international event on September/October 2026

 📅 10 March 2026 – Announcement!       

We are pleased to announce that the project has been successfully completed with the submission of the final project report to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia.

As a follow-up activity, an international workshop/conference will be organized in September–October 2026 at the University "Mother Teresa" in Skopje to present the key outputs of the project, discuss feedback from stakeholders, and coordinate the next steps toward the implementation of the new coordinate reference system of the Republic of North Macedonia in accordance with project outputs and European standards.

Final project report submitted to the Ministry education and sciences of the Republic of North Macedonia

📅 04 March 2026 – Final project report submitted to the Ministry education and sciences of the Republic of North Macedonia!       

We are pleased to announce that the final project report has been officially submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The draft version of the report was made publicly available for consultation from 10 January to 15 February 2026, allowing stakeholders and interested individuals to review the document and provide comments, suggestions, or additional findings.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed with valuable feedback during the consultation period. The received comments were carefully reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final version of the report.

The final report is now available and will be shared with relevant stakeholders as part of our commitment to transparency, knowledge sharing, and institutional cooperation.

Final Results of the SPCRS-NM Project - FINAL REPORT

📅 27 February 2026 – FINAL PROJECT REPORT - READ ONLINE!         

Modernization of the State Coordinate Reference System of North Macedonia

The project “State Coordinate Reference System – SCRS” was implemented with the objective of evaluating the existing coordinate reference system used in the Republic of North Macedonia and identifying the most suitable projection model for the national territory. The project brought together scientific research, geodetic analysis, and international best practices in order to develop a modern methodological framework for evaluating map projections and coordinate reference systems.

Accurate coordinate reference systems are fundamental for all geospatial activities, including surveying, cartography, land administration, infrastructure development, geographic information systems, and spatial data infrastructures. A well-designed CRS ensures that spatial measurements obtained on the Earth’s surface can be transformed into planar coordinates with minimal distortion and maximum consistency across the entire territory.

Methodological Approach

The methodology applied in the SCRS project is based on a comprehensive analytical framework that considers the complete geometric transformation chain between real-world measurements and their representation in projected coordinate systems.

Unlike traditional approaches that focus primarily on distortions between the ellipsoid and the projection surface, the methodology developed within this project considers four fundamental geometric layers:

• the topographic surface, representing the physical terrain where measurements are performed

• the geoid, representing the equipotential surface approximating mean sea level

• the reference ellipsoid, representing the mathematical model used in geodetic computations

• the map projection plane, where coordinates are represented in a two-dimensional coordinate system.

By integrating these four layers into a unified analytical model, the project enables a more realistic evaluation of distortions occurring between terrain measurements and projected coordinates. This approach allows the identification of projection configurations that minimize the combined deformation effects across the national territory.

Analysis of Projection Systems

Within the project, a comprehensive review of scientific studies related to map projections and coordinate systems for the territory of North Macedonia was conducted. These studies include analyses of several projection families and their deformation characteristics, including:

• Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection studies

• conic projection adaptability analyses

• stereographic projection models

• Transverse Mercator projection evaluations

• distortion compensation approaches

• regional deformation studies for Balkan coordinate systems.

The results of these investigations consistently indicate that projection systems belonging to the Transverse Mercator projection family provide the most favorable geometric characteristics for the territory of North Macedonia.

These projections preserve angular relationships and maintain relatively small distortion values when applied within suitable longitudinal extents. Furthermore, their deformation patterns can be optimized by adjusting projection parameters such as the central meridian and scale factor.

Recommended Coordinate Reference System

Based on the analytical synthesis of scientific studies and the methodological framework developed within the project, the most suitable projection framework for the national coordinate reference system of North Macedonia is identified as an optimized Gauss–Krüger projection with a modified scale factor.

This configuration provides several important advantages:

• balanced distribution of projection distortions across the national territory

• improved correspondence between terrain measurements and projected coordinates

• compatibility with modern GNSS positioning technologies

• interoperability with international geospatial standards and databases.

The recommended CRS configuration represents a scientifically justified solution that ensures both geometric accuracy and long-term sustainability of the national geospatial infrastructure.

Contribution to National Geospatial Infrastructure

The results of the SCRS project contribute significantly to the modernization of the geodetic and cartographic framework of North Macedonia. The proposed methodological approach and projection recommendation provide a strong scientific basis for future development of the national coordinate reference system.

Implementation of the recommended CRS will support:

• improved accuracy of surveying and engineering measurements

• enhanced interoperability of spatial datasets

• better integration of GNSS-based positioning systems

• modernization of the national spatial data infrastructure.

The project therefore represents an important step toward strengthening the geodetic foundation required for sustainable spatial development and advanced geospatial technologies in North Macedonia.

North Macedonia Introduces Its First National Quasigeoid Model (MK_HREF2022)

 📅 26 February 2026 – North Macedonia Introduces Its First National Quasigeoid Model (MK_HREF2022)       

GOOD NEWS: North Macedonia has officially put into operation its first national quasigeoid model, MK_HREF2022, marking a major milestone in the modernization of the country’s geodetic infrastructure, developed by the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre, the model is the result of years of professional work and international cooperation, combining gravity data, GNSS measurements, and precise leveling networks. 

The quasigeoid model enables the transformation of GNSS-derived heights into accurate physical heights, significantly improving vertical positioning across the country. This advancement is essential for applications such as engineering projects, infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and geospatial analysis.

MK_HREF2022 represents a transition toward a modern, unified height reference system, aligned with European geodetic standards. It also enhances the accuracy and reliability of national spatial data, supporting better decision-making in both public administration and scientific research.

In short: With the implementation of MK_HREF2022, North Macedonia strengthens its geodetic foundation—bringing higher precision, standardization, and compatibility with European spatial reference systems. 

Source: https://www.katastar.gov.mk/en/2026/03/10/first-official-national-quasigeoid-model-mk_href2022-put-into-operation 

Public Consultation – Draft Project Report (Feb 10 – Mar 15, 2026)

 📅 10 January 2026 – Draft project report - READ ONLINE!         

The draft project report is open for comments and suggestions from January 10 to February 15, 2026.

Anyone who has comments, suggestions, or additional findings is welcome to share their feedback with the project team by sending an email to info.geosee@gmail.com no later than February 15, 2026.

The final version of the project report is scheduled to be officially published and shared with all stakeholders by March 01, 2026.

Publication and Indexing of the TSPCS 2025 Book of Abstracts

📅 19 December 2025 – TSPCS25 Book of Abstracts - DOWNLOAD!          DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17703386

Publication of the Book of Abstracts of TSPCS 2025 as a special issue of MMM-GI (https://mmm-gi.geo-see.org/thematic-issues/book-of-abstracts-scrs2025), comprising thirteen abstracts presented during the conference.

The Book of Abstracts, as a collective publication, as well as each abstract as an individual scholarly contribution, has been formally assigned Digital Object Identifier (DOI) numbers and is indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). In addition, all abstracts are indexed in Google Scholar, published within the Academia research network, and disseminated under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
All abstracts are now discoverable via metadata services used by 1,877 libraries worldwide, significantly enhancing their global reach and long-term accessibility within the international open-access scholarly ecosystem.
Furthermore, the complete set of abstracts and corresponding presentations, together with certificates and recorded video addresses, has been published on the official conference website (https://www.scrsproject.mk/p/international-conference.html), where all materials are freely accessible for online reading and download.
We take this opportunity to once again express our sincere appreciation for your excellent collaboration, scientific contribution, and collegial spirit.
Bashkim Idrizi and Lyubka Pashova,
Conference Chairs and Editors in Chief of the Book of Abstracts.

FIG: Geo-SEE leads international push for a Modern State Plane Coordinate System in North Macedonia

  📅 24 November 2025 – Dissemination of SCRSPROJECT Conference Event by the FIG (International Federation of Surveyors)   L I N K

The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) has officially published information about the Geo-SEE 2025 Conference held in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 31 October 2025. The publication highlights the key outcomes of the conference titled “Geo-SEE 2025: Towards a State Plane Coordinate Reference System – Scientific Approach and Practical Challenges”, which was organized within the framework of the SCRS Project.

The FIG news article presents the main objectives and results of the conference, including discussions on the development of a modern State Plane Coordinate Reference System (SPCRS) for the Republic of North Macedonia and its alignment with European geodetic standards. The event gathered national and international experts, representatives of institutions, academia, and professional organizations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the country’s geospatial reference infrastructure.

The publication by FIG represents important international recognition of the SCRS Project and confirms the relevance of its scientific and professional contributions at both regional and global levels.

https://www.fig.net/news/news_2025/11_geosee25