Thursday, September 11, 2025 – The Palace of the Republic in Chișinău hosted the launch conference of the project “Transfer of Good Practices and Strengthening Administrative Capacity in Regional Development Policy between Romania and the Republic of Moldova,” funded by the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program.

The event, organized in partnership between the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR) and the Regional Development Agency of Chișinău (ADR Chișinău), brought together representatives of public administration, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.

Speaker – Alexei PERCEMLÎ – Mayor of Bubuieci Commune, Chișinău

European Funds – A Historic Opportunity for the Republic of Moldova

During the conference, Alexei Percemlî, Mayor of Bubuieci Commune, emphasized the importance of accessing European funds as a driver for local and regional development.

“Today I want to talk about a historic opportunity for the Republic of Moldova, namely European funds. This is not just easy money coming from abroad, but a real chance for modernization and bringing our standards closer to those of the European Union.”

The mayor provided concrete examples from other European countries such as Romania, Poland, and Lithuania, where effective management of European funds has led to the transformation of communities through infrastructure modernization, school renovations, creation of cultural centers, and support for local businesses.

“For my commune, Bubuieci – the largest commune in the Republic of Moldova – these funds can mean a huge leap forward. We have many ambitious projects: modernizing roads, water and sewer networks, creating modern spaces for education and youth, environmental protection, and supporting local entrepreneurs.”

LIVE | Launch Conference of the Project “Good Practices and Knowledge Transfer for Strengthening Administrative Capacity between Romania and the Republic of Moldova”

Strong Partnerships – The Key to Success

Mayor Alexei Percemlî highlighted that European funds do not come alone, but require hard work, vision, and responsibility, as well as strong partnerships. He cited the example of collaboration between Bubuieci Commune and a commune in Romania.

“We have a partnership with Oșorhei Commune in Bihor, which provides us with experience and support for large and complex projects.”

The mayor conveyed a message of unity and shared vision.

“Assimilating European funds is the key to the development of the Republic of Moldova. Together, administration, citizens, and partners can build modern and prosperous communes where young people will want to stay, and traditions can be preserved and developed.”

Ion ȘTEFANOVICI – INVITATION to participate in the Opening Conference of the CAPDR – ADR Chișinău Cross-Border Project

Conclusion

The CAPDR–ADR Chișinău conference highlighted that sustainable regional development in the Republic of Moldova critically depends on the capacity of local administrations to access and manage European funds, as well as on their willingness to learn from international experiences. Mayor Alexei Percemlî emphasized that these resources are not merely financial support but a strategic opportunity to modernize infrastructure, develop education, culture, and local entrepreneurship, and strengthen community cohesion.

A central aspect of success lies in strong and durable partnerships between communities, both nationally and across borders, exemplified by the collaboration between Bubuieci Commune and Oșorhei Commune in Romania. Such alliances allow for the transfer of know-how, experience, and good practices, reducing development gaps and creating replicable local models.

Essentially, the project represents a platform for learning and collaboration, through which local authorities can adopt modern governance mechanisms, stimulate citizen participation, and transform communities into sustainable and attractive centers for young people. Therefore, the success of regional development does not depend solely on available financial resources, but also on strategic vision, administrative responsibility, and active community involvement, elements that, when combined, can turn the communes of the Republic of Moldova into true European examples of progress and prosperity.