Empowering communities through hyperlocal air quality monitoring in Strumica, North Macedonia

Strumica looks to improve air quality for its 35K residents

Strumica, a municipality in southeastern North Macedonia, faces one of the country's most critical air quality challenges. With an average annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration of 31.6 µg/m³ in 2023, it ranks as the most polluted city in the country and the 12th most polluted in Europe. Despite this, the city had only one state reference station, which could not detect local hotspots or effectively inform public policy or community response.

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To address this gap, Strumica launched a groundbreaking initiative to implement a hyperlocal air quality monitoring network using Clarity Movement’s Node-S sensors. Led by Prof. Dr. Sasho Manasov and supported by the companies Smart Flow and East Network Group, in collaboration with the municipality's leadership, this project aims to bring real-time, community-driven air monitoring to the forefront of environmental health efforts.

Clarity was chosen for Strumica’s initiative for several reasons. Clarity provides expert assistance, with both hardware and software support and a customizable, user-friendly OpenMap dashboard. Clarity’s nodes are modular and accurate, supported by colocation and remote calibration. They are FCC/CE certified, solar-powered, UV-resistant, and weatherproof. Our Sensing-as-a-Service model includes the upgrading and replacement of sensor components. 

Strumica’s partnership with Clarity has enabled the city to lead by example, empowering citizens to understand and advocate for air quality. 

Putting the power of air quality monitoring from institutions into the hands of communities is a game changer – every citizen, at any moment, can monitor air quality at any location in the city. It is a higher level of awareness: Turning from mere awareness to active observations – seeking and implementing solutions for tangible improvements. Every politician must know that making decisions that improve air quality are standards that will protect us ourselves. Cooperation between local and central government is needed to determine an Action Plan for improving air quality. By implementing such a project in the municipality of Strumica, we have taken the first step (and the most important) towards such cooperation."

— Prof. PhD. Sasho Manasov, Project Team Leader 

Deploying the air quality sensors

Phase One of the project began with the installation of three Clarity Node-S sensors at strategic urban locations. These sensors continuously measure PM2.5 concentrations and transmit data via solar power and mobile connectivity—eliminating reliance on inconsistent local power and internet infrastructure. This is especially useful in the municipality of Strumica, which experiences frequent internet interruptions, a lack of wide coverage, and power outages (especially during forest fires and other disasters). Clarity allows Strumica to continually monitor air quality during these occurrences.

The data is made publicly accessible through the Clarity Dashboard and Open Map Plus, embedded on the municipality's website. Citizens can track real-time air quality, empowering them to make informed decisions and engage in public discourse.

Phase Two plans to expand this network across all 24 rural settlements in Strumica. The project will introduce additional modules to monitor nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), black carbon, and wind—factors crucial to understanding pollution patterns in this predominantly agricultural region.

This robust network will also help detect and respond to environmental crises such as forest fires, which are common in the region.

Tackling air pollution is a matter of social justice and is therefore our key priority. With Clarity's hyperlocal network, we can begin to provide a more complete picture of how air pollution is occurring in a given micro region, and what preventive actions we need to take to minimize exposure. We can also measure the effectiveness of each activity taken by measuring concentrations BEFORE and AFTER that activity. This encourages us to think about policies that we want to change. It raises citizen awareness and creates a narrative that influences positive change. We need to know what the air is like NOW AND IMMEDIATELY, at each MICRO location, to react IMMEDIATELY, and to sanction those who are disrupting our health, the future of our youngest, and the future of our country. Every citizen of the municipality of Strumica has a strong ally in such innovative technology."
—Tomislav Andreev, Head of Environmental sector 

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Air quality data fosters community awareness and administrative impact

While quantitative results are still under evaluation, early benefits include increased public awareness and a noticeable deterrent effect. Illegal burning of waste—a major pollution source in Strumica—is expected to decrease due to 24/7 public and administrative monitoring. Professor Manasov expects this deterrent effect to reduce PM2.5 concentrations by 15% to 25% in as little as a few months. The air quality sensors have given municipal environmental inspectors an excellent tool for sanctioning negligent polluters.

From the outset, the project has emphasized local involvement and education. Expert training sessions have equipped municipal departments—environmental, inspection, education, and IT—with the skills needed to analyze and act on air quality data. 

These sectors now have the means to create periodic air quality reports, detect pollution hotspots, respond rapidly to pollution spikes, and create accurate health recommendations for both citizens and institutions. The application with measurement results is also displayed publicly at various municipal offices and schools.

In May 2025, Strumica held a promotional event for this project, with the participation of various guests, citizens, and the management of the Municipality of Strumica, including the Mayor. In visiting the node installation locations and holding a promotion at Strumica’s ceremonial hall, the initiative raised awareness and public support. 

The initiative is already influencing local policy. Measures such as free electric public transport, expansion of bike lanes, and bicycle subsidies have been introduced. The ability to track pollution before and after these interventions enables the municipality to evaluate their effectiveness.

Mayor Kostadin Kostadinov highlights this as a shift in accountability and empowerment.

The health of citizens and clean ambient air are and will remain our priority. After electrified public transport and bicycle paths, with this innovative project we prove that we are seriously investing in reducing air pollution in Strumica. We have installed sensor monitors at 3 locations to detect sources of air pollution. What does this mean? This means that every citizen of the municipality of Strumica is an inspector from today and will be able to monitor concentrations of PM2.5 particles from the sensor monitors, and this application will also be implemented in the Inspection Services of the municipality of Strumica, where air pollution will be monitored around the clock, and they will be able to react quickly to sanction negligent polluters."

– Kostadin Kostadinov, Mayor of the Municipality of Strumica

In the near future, the municipal administration will create weekly, monthly, 3-monthly, 6-monthly and annual reports based on analysis of accurate air quality data. This presents huge possibilities for clean air progress. Now, Strumica can identify and address pollution sources. Equipped with this information, the city can enforce and adapt policies accordingly to effectively tackle air pollution.

Perhaps the most significant early win is psychological. This initiative has empowered citizens with information and assured them that the municipal administration cares about their health and the environment. The project has already received tremendous positive feedback and the community feels seen, informed, and equipped. “We’ve transferred the power of data from institutions to the people,” said Prof. Manasov.

What’s next for Strumica’s air quality monitoring initiative 

Encouraged by the project's momentum, the municipality plans to expand the network and secure additional funding through grants and corporate partnerships. Clarity’s partnership supports expanded marketing and lobbying efforts for this initiative. Other municipalities in North Macedonia have already expressed interest in replicating the model.

Clarity’s technology has proven especially effective in regions with infrastructure limitations. Its combination of reliable hardware, flexible deployment, expert support, and intuitive software makes it an ideal partner in areas striving for better air quality but lacking robust environmental monitoring systems.

Our network will constantly expand and upgrade with new locations and by expanding to all settlements. I thank the citizens and non-governmental organizations who raised their voices against air pollution and together we sought solutions for clean air in Strumica."

– Kostadin Kostadinov, Mayor of the Municipality of Strumica

Strumica’s partnership with Clarity has done more than install a few sensors—it has redefined how environmental health can be managed at the local level. By making air quality data transparent and actionable, the municipality is laying the groundwork for cleaner air, healthier lives, and a more engaged and empowered community.