Settlement from Gagauz-Yeri autonomy has access to drinking water with EU's assistance

Chisinau, 23 August /MOLDPRES/ - The Besalma settlement from the Autonomous Territorial Unit Gagauz-Yeri has access to drinking water due to a civic initiative backed by the European Union. As a result, the Public Association, Association of Regions’ Economic Development, in partnership with the village’s mayoralty, implemented the project, Sustainable development through involvement of civil society in the decision-making process, in the settlement.        

One of the project’s goals deals with the improvement of the access to quality drinking water for 5,000 residents of the settlement. In this respect, a point of drinking water’s distribution was constructed within the project. The cost of the project was 1,233,000 lei, of which 972,000 was allocated as grant within the European Union’s project, Empowerment of Moldova’s Citizens and 261,000 lei was earmarked from the district and local budget.   

The manager of the project, Empowerment of Moldova’s Citizens, Valentina Pleșca, said that ‘’EU’s support is meant to stimulate the citizens’ activism in communities from Moldova and the results achieved in Besalma represents a success example. It is important in continuation to ensure a good work of the elements of infrastructure built, as well as the continuity of citizens’ initiatives meant to lead to the improvement of the living in the community.’’  

Attending the festive event on the opening of the water distribution point was also the governor (bashkan) of UTA Gagauzia, Irina Vlah. The bashkan noted that the regional authorities backed the local initiatives and actively invested in projects on development of local communities. ‘’If there are good roads, access to quality water, schools and kindergartens in settlements, then citizens will no longer have to leave abroad. In this respect, we are determined to take all needed efforts,’’ Vlah added.   

The Local Grants Programme is launched based on the Single Support Framework of the European Union. It is provided to Moldova (2017-2020) within the European Neighbiourhood Instrument, through the project, Empowerment of Moldova’s Citizens (2019-2021). It is financed by the European Union and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The project’s implementation partners are the Pro Europa European Centre Public Association from Comrat and the CONTACT National Centre of NGOs’ Assistance and Information.  

photo: GIZ Moldova