The project was launched at the end of last week in Chisinau with the aim of strengthening the capacities needed for central and local authorities to participate in the European integration process and to make effective use of its opportunities. It is implemented by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), representing 290 municipalities and 21 regions in Sweden.
The initiative is supported by the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA). During the project presentation, SALAR signed cooperation agreements with the State Chancellery and the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM) as strategic partners.
The implementation period of the PACE Local project is 2025-2029. The funding has been approved at the level of 80 million SEK. At the moment it is not yet clear how the amount will be distributed, what financial opportunities will be provided to the mayoralties and in what form. This could be grant support in the form of grants or loans and technical support. Hybrid forms of cooperation are also possible. The number of localities that will be able to participate in the project and on what terms have not been determined yet. These issues will be resolved and announced by the end of this year, CALM said.
In general, the goals of the project will be focused around local economic development issues: stimulating investments in rural communities, digitization of public services and improving their quality, as well as infrastructure in areas such as waste management, energy efficiency, access to drinking water and sanitation. In this context, the Swedish experience in decentralization processes and unification of rural communities in the process of administrative-territorial reform will be used.
In this context, the project will use SALAR’s expertise and experience to support the central government in strengthening the decentralization process and effective power sharing between central and local public administration. And will make small investments aimed at attracting larger investments, will help local governments to be more efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of their communities.
The new project fits into the National Public Administration Reform Strategy, the main objective of which is to improve the services provided to citizens.
Viorel Furdui, executive director of CALM, emphasized that the new project is launched at an important moment for local self-government in Moldova, as the topic of European integration concerns all mayoralties. They will implement about 70% of the changes introduced in the Moldovan legislation in the screening process.
