The National LEADER Network fosters networking and partnership opportunities for Moldovan Local Action Groups to enhance innovation and economic growth in rural areas
On 27-31 July 2023, the Local Action Group (LAG) “Trei Coline” participated in a study visit to Croatian LAG “Bura” as part of the 3rd edition of the EU Partnership Fund launched by the National LEADER Network (NLN). During the visit, representatives of the Moldovan LAG explored local projects focused on ecological sustainability and gained more insights about the social impact of waste sorting and recycling. At the same time, the LAG representatives learned about a local project supported by the Croation LAG, which focuses on the manufacturing of eco-based soaps and essential oils produced from traditional medicinal plants cultivated in the Dalmatia region. Through the 3rd edition of the EU LEADER Partnership Fund, the NLN aims to strengthen the collaboration among Moldovan and international LAGs and foster an exchange of ideas and experience that enables Moldovan LAGS to broaden their knowledge and build the necessary competencies to stimulate innovation and economic growth in Moldovan rural areas. As part of the 3rd edition of the EU LEADER Partnership Fund, Moldovan LAGs will conduct a total of 11 study visits, including to Polish, Romanian and Bulgarian LAGs.
Networking plays an important role in stimulating and supporting partnerships and cooperation by creating a platform for all actors involved to disseminate and share knowledge, ideas and innovations, while also developing peer support and building capacities. As such, the NLN acts as a guarantor of the implementation of the LEADER approach in Moldova, linking Moldovan LAGs with important local, national and international actors in the development chain.
The LEADER Partnership Fund is supported 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 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL) in Moldova.