Without local development there is no economic growth, according to representatives of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova. They demand that the process of decentralization and local and regional development be recognized as priorities and that this provision be included in the Economic Growth Plan.
It should be recalled that the Plan allocates EU funds in the amount of 1.9 billion euros intended for its stimulation.
The problems of the local authorities were discussed last week during a meeting of the Joint Commission for Decentralization. The head of the organization, the mayor of Selemet village, Cimislia district, Tatiana Badan, called for finding a formula, according to which the local development will have a worthy place in the document. In this context, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that most of the resources envisaged in the Economic Growth Plan will be allocated to local development in one form or another. Nevertheless, he promised that a formula will be found to ensure a clear reference to decentralization and local development in the plan.
Another issue was the need to change the discriminatory approach to administrative-territorial units with a population of less than 1,500. The mayors propose to change the current approach, which places restrictions and barriers to access to funds for small settlements. This approach is unfair and sends a negative message to the residents of these localities. And they constitute more than 53% of all municipalities in Moldova. It is necessary to put all mayoralties, regardless of the number of inhabitants, in equal conditions. Let them decide for themselves, depending on the available resources, whether they can afford to participate in the projects. Especially since in other countries small settlements receive additional support from the state.
