“Improving the Lives of People in Europe & Central Asia”

Three projects supported by the World Bank in Moldova have won the World Bank’s first annual “Improving the Lives of People in Europe & Central Asia” award for their outstanding results and impact in Moldova. According to the organizers, quoted by Info-Prim Neo, the first project, Moldova AIDS Control Project, has helped to increase the awareness, treatment and control of the HIV/AIDS throughout the population. The second project, Moldova Pilot Water Supply and Sanitation Project, has helped to improve access and supply of clean water to several towns in Moldova resulting in better health and living conditions in those towns. The third project, Public Expenditure Management Peer Assisted Learning Network - PEMPAL, which was launched in April 2006, promotes cross-country learning among experts and incorporates public expenditure management professionals in various governments in the Europe and Central Asia region, including Moldova. “These activities from across Europe and Central Asia show the results that client countries and the World Bank can achieve together as partners in supporting countries’ development efforts,” said Shigeo Katsu, Europe and Central Asia (ECA0) Region Vice President, World Bank. The projects reflect the World Bank’s strategic themes as helping overcome poverty and spur sustainable growth in the poorest countries, development solutions for middle income countries, fostering a knowledge and learning agenda. The event was organized in Washington and consisted in conferring 19 awards selected by a World Bank jury out of 22 activities in the region. The winners demonstrated the results and real impact, as well as the projects’ commitment for monitoring and evaluating the results. The ECA Results competition will be held annually to celebrate the impact of projects and programs in the Region.