Local public authorities (LPA) representatives level I and II from Balti municipality and Singerei, Riscani, Glodeni, and Falesti rayons, eligible to participate in the Call of Proposals for regional development for 2017-2020, took part in an information session held at Balti city hall premises on Thursday, 24 March. The event started with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March.

Around 100 potential beneficiaries of grants allocated from the National Fund for Regional Development (NFRD) participated in the event. On Friday, 25 March, a similar workshop will take place in Edinet for LPA representatives level I and II from Briceni, Ocnita, Edinet, and Donduseni rayons. Another one will be held on Wednesday, 30 March, in Soroca, for LPA representatives level I and II from Drochia, Soroca, and Floresti rayons.

‘We have waited for this Call of Proposals for a long time. The last Cal of Proposals was organised in 2012. By the end of the year, as a result of the recently launched competition, a document with regional development projects due for implementation during 2017-2020 will emerge. I expect from your side more attention and involvement as I know many of you have at least some experience in project implementation activities, either from national or international sources,’ said Ion Bodrug, RDA North director.

‘Right from the start I would like to express my appreciation for the fact that you are interested in regional development and that you found time to come here, to learn about the activities we intend to carry out in the next period of time. Indeed, we are holding daily activities now, but having in mind the day of tomorrow. Therefore, everything that is going on here, this call of proposals ongoing this year is oriented for years 2017 – 2020. Yes, we are announcing a Project Proposals Competition. Until recently, we would name it Call for Project Proposals, which would collect projects to be financed. Now that you’ve been informed for a certain period of time, you’ve been trained, you already have a number of projects aiming to improve the living conditions of citizens in the towns you represent, we are going to have good regional projects. The amount of funding is less than desired, therefore, there will be a competition of best projects to be financed from NFRD or in partnership with other donors which help transform Moldova, get modernized, create better living conditions’, said Igor Malai, deputy chief of the General Division for Regional Development within Ministry of Regional Development and Construction (MRDC).

MRDC official, also, announced that the value of all projects selected within the national call of proposals is approx. one billion lei which will be gradually allocated until 2020, from NFRD sources. For each priority a maximum amount equal to a project worth will be established.

In his turn, Igor Seremet, the vice mayor of Balti, the host of the event in Balti, stated that the launch of this information session is welcome, as not all local authorities have experience in developing and implementing regional development projects. The vice mayor of Balti appreciated the fact that transparency is ensured throughout the whole process.

Until 3 May 2016, LPA level I and II from North Development Region (Balti municipality and Briceni, Edinet, Donduseni, Drochia, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Ocnita, Riscani, Singerei, Soroca rayons) are expected to submit their concept notes to RDA North (Balti, 8, Piața Vasile Alecsandri). (mun. Balti, 8, Piata Vasile Alecsandri). Several stages will follow: filling in of concept notes, selection and approval for financing. This process will take 5 months.

The selected projects will obtain funding from NFRD and have to be related to the following fields: regional and local road infrastructure, water supply and sanitation, solid waste management; business infrastructure development, enhancing tourist attraction and energy efficiency in public buildings.