New jobs, new business development opportunities, better and more accessible public services, more sustainable communities. Here are some benefits for the inhabitants of Gagauzia region and Taraclia district, from the project “Support to Agriculture and Rural Development for the regions of Gagauzia and Taraclia” (SARD), launched today, May 13, in Comrat. Financed by the EU with €6.5 million, SARD Project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), IPN reports.
According to a press release of UNDP, the Project aims to build confidence and intensify the cooperation between national authorities/structures and the regional ones from Gagauzia region and Taraclia district in the next three years. This will boost socio-economic development of the region and of the Republic of Moldova overall.
In the framework of SARD Project, EU and UNDP’s efforts will be focused on three main pillars. The first component of the project will strive to enhance the dialogue between national and local authorities in the field of agriculture. The second component is dedicated to local entrepreneurship and SMEs development. Under the third component, SARD Project will renovate social infrastructure in 20 communities from UTA Gagauzia and Taraclia district; and will create at least 7 local public services using the modality of inter-municipal cooperation projects.
Present at the launch of SARD Project, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stressed the importance of this project for Moldova. According to him, such projects help to value human potential of this country through education and involvement in community development and also stimulate local development by supporting those who want to start a business in agriculture.
Gagauzia’s Governor Irina Vlah expressed her gratitude to the development partners for giving “priority to the region”. She noted that the successful implementation of this initiative will contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the region and of southern Moldova.
“The enhancement of dialogue and empowerment of communities will enable citizens together with local authorities and civil society to determine their priorities for development and thus determine their own future,” said Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the European Union to Moldova.
Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova, said some of the success stories will now be up-scaled and replicated in the Gagauzia region and Taraclia district, i.e. mobilized communities and empowered and engaged civil society; responsible and effective public institutions; more employment opportunities for women and men.
The Project “Support to Agriculture and Rural Development for the regions of Gagauzia and Taraclia” (SARD) will be implemented during 2016-2018.
