The 12 local councilors of Roma ethnicity who won seats in the local general elections of this autumn attended a training activity centering on the development of the capacities of local elected officials that was staged with support from UNDP Moldova, IPN reports.

Last autumn, with UNDP Moldova’s support, the Roma were involved in electoral education and information campaigns. Now that some of them hold the post of local councilor, they felt the need of learning more about the new responsibilities. The training was aimed at developing their participation and community initiative capacities.

“I’m glad I managed to become local councilor. I will have the opportunity and pleasure to help the community, not only the Roma, but all the inhabitants who will need my support and aid,” said Eugenia Nenița, local councilor in Ochiul Alb village of Drochia district.

“The first thing that should be done in the Roma communities is to ensure a community mediator. Some of the localities have such mediators for many years. Now we have local Roma councilors as well, but need even more,” said the president of the Union of Young Roma Marin Alla.