A number of 37 Local Action Groups (LAGs) were selected for being financed within the first call of the Leader National Program for 2022-2023. The financing for the implemented projects amounted to 86 million lei, IPN reports.
Diana Coșalîc, deputy director of the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture, told a press conference that of the allocated resources, 20% were intended for the development and functioning of the LAGs, and 80%, or over 50 million lei, for the development of the project. Within two years, the LAGs implemented two support measures: one measure is related to the development and functioning of Local Action Groups, while the second measure – to the implementation of the Locality Development Strategy.
The LACs developed and implemented 893 projects to the value of over 69 million lei. For LPAs, 387 infrastructure and public services development projects were implemented. In the entrepreneurial sector, 365 projects were launched. Most of the investments were made in the purchase of equipment, machinery, photovoltaic panels, tourism and non-agricultural activities. The civic sector, which was eligible for subsidies for the first time, developed 141 investment projects.
Diana Coșalîc noted that this is the first project implemented according to EU rules, regulations and standards. It is also the first fully digitized project implemented by the AIPA, which means that all the documents received within the project were dealt with online. However, the financial resources allocated from the state budget are insufficient, given the activity capacity of the Local Action Groups.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea said it is gratifying to see that the Leader Program is gathering momentum on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, which confirms the harmonious cooperation between LPAs and the business community. The objective is to cover the whole of Moldova with LAGs. Currently, the coverage is of 56%, which means 52 LAGs, with a capacity to serve over one million citizens.
Within the second call of the Program held this year, 51 Local Action Groups were chosen, of which 32 were selected for being financed. For 19 LAGs, funding of about 43 million lei is being looked for.
