Five localities in Moldova become Smart Villages with over 21 million MDL in investments from the EU
For the first time in the Republic of Moldova, the European concept of the Smart Village is being implemented to support the sustainable development of rural communities through technology, energy efficiency, and smart public services.
Larga, Coșnița, Sipoteni, Lozova, and Mereni have been selected for this pilot programme. Each community is receiving grants of up to 1.5 million MDL for smart projects and approximately 3 million MDL for the construction of photovoltaic parks. These investments are provided under the project EU4Moldova Resilient: Secure State, Strong Communities, funded by the European Union and implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.
In Larga, Briceni district, the project focuses on modernising the Cultural Centre by installing an infrared radiant panel heating system, LED lighting, roller blinds to optimise energy consumption, and heat recovery ventilation systems in public institutions. Plans also include energy-efficient public lighting, video surveillance in public areas, speed radars, and pedestrian crossing lighting.
“Through this integrated approach, we are transforming Larga into a safe and energy-efficient community that is ready for the future,” said Radu Urechean, Mayor of Larga.
The authorities in Coșnița, Dubăsari district, are prioritising the modernisation of the waste management system. The locality will receive a new waste collection and compaction truck, equipped with GPS and a video camera. In addition, 500 bins for selective plastic collection will be installed – a measure that will reduce pollution and improve transport logistics.
In Sipoteni, Călărași district, the interventions address critical community needs. As residents have limited access to drinking water, the local authorities plans to install four water filtration stations. Smart street lighting poles will also be installed, along with four modern bus shelters equipped with real-time information panels.
In Lozova, Strășeni district, five modern solar-powered weather stations will be installed to help farmers better adapt to climate change and improve agricultural production.
“Our project also includes installing heat recovery ventilation systems in the village kindergarten and high school, which will improve children’s health. We will set up modern bus shelters and introduce a video broadcasting system for municipal meetings and local events, to ensure transparency and keep the community informed. Without the support of the European Union, these initiatives would not have been possible,” said Viorel Jardan, Mayor of Lozova.
Mereni, Anenii Noi district, is also taking a significant step towards becoming a smart village. The project involves installing intelligent public lighting with sensors and a remote management system, surveillance cameras, and an automated irrigation system for the sports stadium. Workshops and awareness campaigns will also be organised to actively engage citizens in adopting smart solutions.
In addition to these investments, each of the five localities is building and connecting to the grid a photovoltaic park with a capacity of up to 200 kW, designed to significantly reduce electricity costs and contribute to the communities’ energy independence.
“Beyond the grants themselves, municipalities benefited from specialised training with international experts and study visits to Spain and Estonia. These experiences provided them with the tools needed to develop and implement smart village strategies tailored to local needs for the coming years. We are confident that this integrated approach will have a real impact on the residents of these communities,” said Xenia Marcov, Component Manager at Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.
The smart projects are scheduled for completion by the end of October 2025. The beneficiary villages were selected following an open call for grants launched by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova in July 2024.
