Two local action groups set up in two settlements from southern Moldova

Chisinau, 21 December /MOLDPRES/ – Several communities in Cahul and Cantemir districts have created two local action groups (LAGs), called "Tighecian hills" and "Halmagei Valley" this week. They provide for the establishment of several partnerships aimed at improving the living standards and infrastructure in the involved localities.

The groups were presented at the conference: Sustainable Partnerships for the Development of Rural Communities in Cahul and Cantemir districts, which aimed at promoting the LEADER approach in the southern region.

The event was attended by Marina Albu, president of the association "The National Network LEADER in Moldova". "The LEADER network was recently created in Moldova, but we already have a well-defined activity plan with development prospects, as well as the conditions for the LAGs joining the national network," said Marina Albu.

In turn, Irina Nenerica, manager of the LAG Association "Silver Stejarii" from Iaşi County, Romania, shared the experience of the activities of the LAGs across the Prut river and the effects of the National Federation of LAGs in Romania, providing practical suggestions on the lessons learnt in the LEADER implementation process in the neighbouring country.

The event ended with the signing of the Territorial Partnership Agreements and the formalisation of the two LAGs. Thus, 47 private and public institutions, as well as individuals from 12 localities of Cantemir district, joined the "Tigheciului Colin", which is to represent the interests of 23,266 citizens. Another 34 members, representing the same sectors in eight rural communities in Cahul district, joined the Halmagei Valley LAG, with a population of 17,096.

The establishment of the two LAGs in the Southern Development Region was possible due to the implementation of the project: Development of rural communities through the LEADER approach and local action groups, implemented by the Association for Regional Cooperation (Balti) in partnership with CRAION CONTACT – Cahul , with the financial support of the Swiss HEKS Foundation.

The LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions for the Development of the Rural Economy) is part of the initiatives of EU Community. This initiative was born on the occasion of the reform of the Structural Funds of 1989. The operating engine of the LEADER programme, namely its beneficiary, is the Local Action Group, which represents partnerships formed between representatives of the socio-economic sector in the territory and which determines the development direction of the region.