Natives of 13 localities from Moldova support local development projects

Chisinau, 06 April /MOLDPRES/ – Over three thousand Moldovans who left for foreign countries have contributed MDL 1.1 million for development of localities throughout crowdfunding campaigns. There were transmitted donations from 25 countries within recent three months.

The fundraising campaigns were realised by National Associations in partnership with mayor’s offices. The associations were created with support of Project: Migratie si Dezvoltare Locala (Migration and Local Development), implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financed by Government of Switzerland.

As such, there will improve the living conditions in 13 localities, due to setting new local services: drinking water supply, waste disposal, local roads maintenance, recreation and sports, public lighting, etc. These projects were selected by the mayoralties after consulting citizens by means of on – line surveys. These ones were completed by both locals and natives of Diaspora.

Subsequently, each locality launched a crowdfunding campaign on www.Guvern24.md to ensure transparency of process and involvement of persons. More than 20,000 viewers have accessed project info.

"These campaigns have managed, firstly, to turn migration from problem into opportunity in rural areas, which is extremely vital," said Adrian Ermurachi, Deputy Secretary General of Government of Moldova.

Totally, it was collected amount of MDL 1.1 million. The largest amount transferred $500, and lowest – MDL 24. To these sums, there are added contributions of the 13 mayoralties ($127,000) and grants provided by the Government of Switzerland – $15,000 for each community project. Most of the localities have exceeded proposed collection amount to 280 per cent. The largest amount was collected by natives of Copceac (Gagauzia) – over $13,000.

Project manager of project: Migration and Local Development, Olesea Cazacu, said that 13 localities implemented effectively their first on – line fundraising campaigns. "The natives’ associations became linking bridges between local authorities and Diaspora, which is a key element for local development. By using on – line tools, localities have demonstrated transparency, but have also secured access of migrants to donations from worldwide," said Olesea Cazacu.

Project: Migration and Local Development is implemented in 38 localities from Moldova (25 in the project’s first stage and 13 in the second one). The localities were selected by competition.

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor L. Alcaza)