The training session entitled “Dissemination of experience gained in the development of the Strategy for integrated solid waste management in South Development Region” was organized by the South Regional Development Agency. The session was attended by specialists from the North and Center Regional Development Agencies, representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction and the German International Development Cooperation through GIZ, who were informed about the stages of Solid Waste Management Strategy development. The SWMS is a single document for Moldova, providing a national vision on solving a regional level problem.
On December 27, 2011, the South Regional Development Council (RD South) unanimously approved the SWMS. The document development was initiated under the “ENPI – East” project in 2010. One of the main objectives of the project, financed by the European Union under the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and implemented by a consortium guided by EPTISA, Spain, was to reduce the risk implied by the inappropriate management of waste, which creates pollution hazards for the environment and the natural resources. The first step in Strategy development was selection of a pilot region. Following the contest, the South Development Region was selected. The steps to be further taken included: inventory of waste deposits, developing a baseline study for development of regional waste management strategy, organizing workshops, conducting an awareness campaign, press conference, approving the strategy, creating the association of LPA for waste management. Maria Culeșov, RDA South Director, noted in presentation of experience gained in SWMS development that each stage implied a lot of work, cooperation and insistence: “We started with enthusiasm, with very little resources and successfully completed an important document for the Southern Development Region. We are willing to share this experience and provide guidance to our colleagues in order for them not to face the same difficulties”.
The development of the SWMS in the South RDA involved national and regional institutions: Ministry of Environment, South RDA, both levels LPAs, IM “„Gospodărie Comunal Locativă” (Utilities Management Service) in the 8 rayon centers of the South RDA, environmental inspectorates from the South RDA, the regional media and the civil society.
The general purpose of the Strategy is to establish an integrated and environment safe system, for waste management in South RDA of Moldova. It is based on 5 components:
- Institutional development;
- Waste collection and treatment;
- Waste collection and disposal;
- Funding and cost recovery;
- Public information and education.
The strategic short term objectives by 2015 provide for establishment of intermunicipal landfills (3-5 per rayon), the medium-term objectives reduction of approximately 200 non-complying landfills to maximum 7 waste storage places and for the long-term – storage of waste within the maximum number of 3 regional waste storage places.
The total value of the Strategy is EUR 42,365,160. So far, for implementation of the strategic document the Waste Management Association was established and registered in the South RDA, the memorandum agreement for feasibility studies was developed and funders for development of 3 feasibility studies for 3 microregions of the South RDA were identified.
The training session participants had the opportunity to receive answers to all questions related to strategy development and to establishment of the Waste Management Association.
The information session was organized for the purpose of conveying the best practices acquired in the process of developing the SWMS in the South RDA to North RDA, Center RDA and the MRDC. The strategic document was developed in 2010-2011.
