The Deputy Mayor of Edineț (MD), Rodelia VASILCOV, on the occasion of the launch of the CAPDR – Ștefănești Cross-Border Cooperation Center: „We are adopting Romania’s experience for successful projects in Edineț”
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On January 30, 2026, at the Ștefănești Town Hall, Botoșani County, the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting took place, an event dedicated to strengthening cross-border cooperation and the role of public administration in the development and implementation of regional development strategies. In this context, the CAPDR Cross-Border Cooperation Center – Ștefănești was also launched.
The meeting was organized by the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), in partnership with ADR Chișinău, and hosted by the Ștefănești Town Hall.
The event brought together approximately 60 representatives from local public administrations and institutions from the suburbs of Chișinău, the Northern Region of the Republic of Moldova, the counties of Botoșani, Suceava, and Iași, as well as from the area eligible for cross-border cooperation in Ukraine.
Thematic Framework and Objectives of the Meeting
The meeting’s agenda focused on the theme “The Role of Public Administration in Developing and Implementing Development Strategies”, within the context of the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Project, implemented by CAPDR and ADR Chișinău.
The project component aimed to create an institutional framework for dialogue and practical cooperation between public authorities, associative organizations, and experts from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with a focus on regional development and cross-border cooperation.
During the meeting, the concept “From Dialogue to Action” was also presented through the introduction of the CAPDR – Ștefănești Cross-Border Cooperation Center. Topics discussed included the center’s establishment, membership structure, ongoing activities, projects developed by its members, and its national and international representation role.
After the working session, the agenda continued with a visit to the future headquarters of the CAPDR – Ștefănești Cross-Border Cooperation Center, followed by an institutional networking session hosted at the base of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Ștefănești. This stage was dedicated to strengthening the RO–MD–UA network, identifying joint projects, exchanging contacts, and shaping cooperation perspectives within thematic working groups.
Deputy Mayor of Edineț, Rodelia Vasilcov: “We are Adopting Romania’s Experience for Successful Projects in Edineț”
During the Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine Working Meeting held at the Ștefănești Town Hall, Deputy Mayor of Edineț, Rodelia Vasilcov, emphasized the importance of experience sharing and cross-border collaboration for the development of local projects:
“I believe that legislation may differ slightly, but we can adopt the experience you have. I am here to learn from your experience and to reach out to all those who wish to cooperate with us. We are always seeking funding; the strategies are well-prepared and carefully developed.”
The Deputy Mayor highlighted concrete collaborations and best practices adopted from Botoșani County:
“We have a very good collaboration experience with Botoșani, where we found an extraordinary team for attracting funds and top-level managers. I send greetings to the Mayor of Soroca, Raluca Balașcău, who leads a team from which we have gained a lot of experience. Currently, we are jointly running a project between School 13 in Botoșani and our gymnasium, Grigoriu Vieru.”
Deputy Mayor Rodelia Vasilcov’s intervention highlights a clear message: the success of local projects depends on openness to learning, collaboration, and adopting best practices from the region. Romania’s experience, combined with the knowledge and specific needs of the Edineț community, creates the foundation for sustainable partnerships, educational projects, and initiatives that can be replicated in other areas.
Through this exchange of expertise, local authorities not only access resources and funding but also build a culture of cross-border cooperation based on tangible results and the strengthening of institutional networks.
