In the middle of next year, the number of settlements that benefit from assistance within the Joint Integrated Local Development Program will double to 113, program manager Alexandru Ursul has told Info-Prim Neo. The program now provides assistance and financial support in implementing projects to assess and strengthen the capacities of the local public authorities of 58 villages from 10 districts. According to Alexandru Ursul, this support will enable to increase the capacities of the local authorities in the context of the decentralization reform initiated by the Government. Among the principles of selecting the villages, Alexandru Ursul mentioned their vulnerability, limited access to the necessary infrastructure and services of a high quality and the possibility of inter-community cooperation in order to increase the efficiency of the local public services. “In the process of implementing the supported projects we are monitoring how the principles of transparency, participation degree and non-discrimination are observed. All the categories of people from these settlements at attracted, including national minorities,” said the program manager. “Though the program does not focus on human rights, the implementation of the approach based on human rights and gender equality will add value to the given project.” According to Alexandru Ursul, dealing with the decentralization policies through the approach based on human rights and gender equality is a relatively non-explored concept. In 2009, the UNDP and SIDA Offices agreed to cooperate in the implementation of this approach in three pilot-countries, Moldova being the first. Launched in 2007, the Joint Integrated Local Development Program aims to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks and streamline local administrative procedures and systems. There is an emphasis on developing and implementing a framework for the effective delegation of authority to the local public authorities, fiscal decentralization to deliver essential services, and the promotion of a greater role for women in decision-making bodies. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency made a substantial contribution to the program