On 22 March 2016, RDA South held its first information session on Call of Proposals for regional development projects for 2017-2020.

At the meeting, the representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction and RDA South informed the participant LPAs level I and II from Cimislia, Basarabeasca, Taraclia and Leova rayons regarding the general framework, specifics and stages of the call of proposals, user guidelines, concept note, and complete funding request.

Also, the mayors of eligible settlements and rayon presidents got acquainted with the role and responsibilities of all parties involved in project implementation, especially with those of RDA South and applicants.

In the opening, Maria Culesov, RDA South director welcomed the presence of a large number of LPA level I and II heads from invited rayons, as well as of specialists from divisions for Economy and Investment Attraction, Territorial Development and Construction from rayon councils.

‘The impressive number of local and rayon decision-making officials who have left for a few hours the worries of communities under their management and came to attend the workshop organised by RDA South, shows an increased interest of mayors and rayon presidents in the new call of proposals launched by the ministry. This makes us believe that our desire of attracting investments into communities and region is a joint one. From now on, until 3 May 2016, you are expected to get more actively involved and cooperate closer, joining our efforts for the same cause – balanced and fair development of Development Region South’, stated, Maria Culesov RDA South director.

In his turn, Mihai Olarescu, Cimislia Rayon president and host of the event wished great achievements and luck to all participants in solving all existing problems on local level with financial support which is to be provided by NFRD. ‘I wish this one billion lei put out for absorption until 2020 is fully used and for the benefit of all of us, both LPA level I and II LPA’, the administration chief said.

Igor Malai, deputy chief of the Division for Regional Development within the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction, also, was happy to see among the participants a bigger number of those interested in the development of Region South, including of Cimislia, Basarabeasca, Taraclia and Leova rayons.

‘We wish there are as many people as possible united by the same idea of making the Development Region South a more prosperous, attractive and dynamic region. For this purpose, the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction has launched a new call for proposals for the period 2017-2020. It is planned to spend around one billion lei from the national budget, and also supported by the development partners, with whom good collaboration relations have been established’, Igor Malai mentioned.

The official, also, noted that the total value of all projects selected within the call of proposals is around one billion lei, a sum to be allocated from NFRD step by step during the following four years. Also, for each priority a maximum amount equal to the value of a project was established.

During the meeting, RDA South specialists including Maria Culesov, the director; Eugen Lupascu, head of project management unit; Sergiu Andronache, specialist in project development, monitoring and implementation; Viorica Cutitaru, specialist in international relations and investment attraction; Andrei Tocaru, a GIZ advisor, presented implementation practices of projects during 2011-2015 (NFRD/GIZ) and provided explanations as to the new user guidelines for applicants. They, also, referred to other important details, such as, deadline for concept notes submission and of complete funding requests, which are to be strictly followed.

Marin Capraru, EUSDR representative informed the local authorities level I and II regarding the benefits of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in the Republic of Moldova and participation in cross-border and cross-national programmes.

The next workshop will take place on 29 March in Stefan Voda town, with participation of LPAs from the Stefan Voda and Causeni rayons.