On Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Palace of the Republic in Chișinău, 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”, financed through the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program, took place.

The event was organized by the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning (CAPDR) in partnership with the Regional Development Agency of the Municipality of Chișinău (ADR Chișinău), bringing together representatives of public administrations, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.

The event provided a formal framework for presenting the project’s objectives, discussing good practices in regional development and strengthening administrative capacity, as well as for exchanging experience between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in applying European public policies.

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Lessons from the experience of the Mayor of Ștefănești, Botoșani County, Florin Buțura

The intervention of the Mayor of Ștefănești, Botoșani County, Florin Buțura, offered participants a concrete perspective on how European funds can be used efficiently:

“Good afternoon! Thank you for the invitation. I am honored to participate today in this very important event. My name is Florin Buțura, Mayor of Ștefănești, currently serving my third term since 2016. Up to now, we have successfully completed projects worth 5 million euros with European funds.”

Ion ȘTEFANOVICI – INVITATION to participate in the Opening Conference of the cross-border project CAPDR – ADR Chișinău

The mayor emphasized the crucial role of cooperation with the Regional Development Agency:

“It is very important to collaborate with the RDA. I had excellent collaboration and continue to work closely with them. Regarding project experience, the previous speaker, the Mayor of Dărmănești, has already shared many important insights on how to access and manage these projects.”

Florin Buțura expressed his willingness to support authorities in the Republic of Moldova in accessing funds and implementing local projects:

“I am available whenever you need me. I will do everything I can to develop the locality I represent. Either directly, or through Mr. Ștefanovici, we can open a collaboration, and you can count on the experience of both myself and the Local Council.”

Impact of the project on local administration

This project creates a platform for dialogue and the exchange of good practices, enabling local authorities in the Republic of Moldova to learn from the experience of their Romanian counterparts. The involvement of Romanian mayors who have successfully implemented projects with European funds provides concrete examples and tested methods, reducing implementation risks and increasing administrative efficiency.

By facilitating access to expertise, advice, and examples of good practices, the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova project contributes to the sustainable development of communities, to improving the quality of public services, and to strengthening cross-border cooperation.

LIVE | Launch Conference of the project “Good practices and knowledge transfer for strengthening administrative capacity between Romania and the Republic of Moldova”

Perspectives for the future

The launch of the project marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between local and regional authorities from the two countries. The exchange of experience and strengthening of administrative capacities will enable faster and more efficient implementation of strategic projects, with direct benefits for citizens and communities.

Conclusion

The presence of Mayor Florin Buțura in Chișinău highlights the crucial role of local leaders in promoting good practices and making the most of opportunities offered by European funds. His experience confirms that, through effective collaboration with regional agencies and by adopting a coherent development strategy, local administrations can transform European projects into tangible results for their communities.

In the context of cross-border cooperation, these examples provide a replicable model for authorities in the Republic of Moldova, strengthening institutional ties and promoting sustainable regional development focused on the needs of citizens and administrative efficiency.