Government should display firm will in approving Decentralization Strategy

[Interview with Mihai Roscovan, director of the Joint Integrated Local Development Program (JILDP)] [- Public debates on the draft Decentralization Strategy are drawing to an end. What are the preliminary conclusions?] - The draft Decentralization Strategy was developed in an ample participatory process one year ago, and that process involved persons from the Government and local authorities as well as civil society members. Two rounds of debates were held, one before the start of local elections (10 public debates were held in April in the country's districts), and the second after the elections, with the involvement of our partners – the Moldovan Local Authorities Congress and the National Participatory Council. The main conclusion is that this Decentralization Strategy has been long awaited, particularly by the local authorities. Its objectives suit their expectations. What they want now is the Government to display firm will in approving this Strategy and give it a status of an official policy so that we can already proceed to solving the problems the Strategy was devised to solve. [- Which are the main objectives of the Decentralization Strategy?] - The Strategy is a complex document on more than 80 pages. It can be grouped on several compartments. The first concerns the functions of the local authorities and the delimitation of these functions from those of the central authorities. Then there is the financial decentralization, the delimitation of property and involvement in economic development. An important issue will be the territorial-administrative organization of Moldova, which is directly related to the way competences will be financed. It is also notable that in developing the policies included in the strategy, the drafters took into account the principle of respect for human rights, including of vulnerable persons, persons with special needs, persons who belong to a marginalized group for one reason or another, as well as respect for gender equality. Each compartment has clearly defined goals, which point to where Moldova wants to reach. [- After the local elections this summer many new persons joined the ranks of public authorities. How will they be acquainted with the Strategy's goals so that they can faster involve themselves in implementing the Strategy?] About 30 percent of mayors in Moldova are freshly elected and some of them are less familiar with what they will have to do in the next four years. So, at the Government's request, we will organize trainings not just for mayors, but also for local councilors. We will also invite the Public Administration Academy, the main nongovernmental organizations and specialized institutions to contribute to the trainings. So, during two months, the local elected officials will be introduced to the draft Decentralization Strategy. One of JILDP's current activities includes modifying the curriculum of the Public Administration Academy by introducing elements concerning decentralization. Another activity aims to create a computer network in order to interconnect all the local administrations, which will facilitate exchange of experience and of best practices. This will hopefully help local officials to do their jobs better. [- When you expect the Decentralization Strategy will start being implemented?] We hope the Government will approve the draft Strategy by the end of this quarter or at least in the fourth quarter of this year. Considering the complexity of this reform, task forces have been created in 10 Ministries to work on the Strategy. It is possible that the Parliament will also be requested to approve the Strategy through a special legislative decision. Once we have the official decisions, the practical application of the Strategy's measures will start. In this context, the JILDP is preparing the platform through which it will provide assistance and expertise to the Government in implementing the Strategy. {The Joint Integrated Local Development Program (JILDP) assists the Government of the Republic of Moldova in the process of decentralization and strengthening of the local self-government. JILDP is implemented with the assistance of UNDP Moldova, UN Women and the financial support of the Swedish Government.}