Empowering Local Communities in Moldova: a vision for sustainable development

Embracing the wisdom of the saying “where there are many, power grows,” the Participatory Working Groups from Edineț, Straseni and Leova have met in a training session in which they learned and exchange about local development.

Throughout the training session, participants delved into strategies for invigorating local economic landscapes. Drawing inspiration from both local and international experiences, they explored means to stimulate homegrown businesses and amplify economic development within their respective communities. The attendees also ventured into innovative approaches to attracting investments. Lastly, the groups discussed about ways to improve quality of life in rural areas, reducing regional disparities and fostering urban-rural linkages.

The Participatory Working Groups were established in November 2022 with the active involvement of representatives from the local public authorities, business community, and civil society. Guided by the programme team, their aim is to foster economic growth and create a sustainable environment for businesses. In the last couple of months, the groups have already analysed the economic priorities of their cities and proposed measures to foster sustainable development. The ideas which were selected to have the biggest impact will be supported by the programme team in their future implementation. These include the development of digital platforms to promote tourist destinations, the enlargement of available business development services in the area, and the organisation of various business events such as forums and exhibitions.

The Participatory Working Groups will sustain their dialogues in the upcoming months, with a specific emphasis on bolstering the entrepreneurial landscape in programme districts. The “EU4Moldova: Local Communities” team holds optimistic prospects that these endeavours will chart a course towards a brighter future for Edineț, Straseni, and Leova, thereby contributing to a more prosperous Moldova.

These activities took place within the “EU4Moldova: Local Communities” programme, financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland – Polish aid; and jointly implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL) in Moldova.