Cristian SAUCIUC and Ion ȘTEFANOVICI – Dialogue on “Developing the Moldova Region through European Funds and Regional Cooperation”, at FERM 2025
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
European and Government Funds: Opportunities, Challenges, and Cross-Border Cooperation
Speakers:
Ion Ștefanovici – President of C.A.P.D.R
Cristian Sauciuc – Deputy Mayor of Piatra Neamț
Topic of the intervention:
“The need for integrated regional development through European funds, interinstitutional cooperation, and the promotion of tourism and mountain economy in Neamț County”
Within Panel 2 – European and Government Funds, part of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM), strategic visions for regional development through European investments, intercommunity cooperation, and the capitalization of tourism and mountain potential were outlined.
The dialogue between Ion Ștefanovici, President of C.A.P.D.R., and Cristian Sauciuc, Deputy Mayor of Piatra Neamț, highlighted the challenges and concrete directions for immediate action toward a coherent development of the Moldova region.
Cristian Sauciuc: “Local administrations can do little without European funds”
The Deputy Mayor of Piatra Neamț, Cristian Sauciuc, presented a solid overview of investments in urban mobility, digitalization, and tourism infrastructure funded through European and governmental funds.
“Today we have 59 electric buses running in the city, smart stations, smart traffic lights, a GIS system implemented. We’ve submitted projects for two new urban mobility corridors and one for the rehabilitation of the Polyvalent Hall, the largest in Moldova, funded 81% by Swiss funds and 15% by our own contribution,” he stated.
However, he emphasized a key structural issue: the lack of co-financing and the growing reliance on long-term loans.
“It’s important to have co-financing in local administration budgets. We shouldn’t be pushed to take loans for 3, 4, or 5 years. Currently, 40% of our budget goes to loans taken 10 years ago. We’ll finish paying the largest one in September, but we already need another for the next 7–8 projects.”
Ion Ștefanovici: “Regional tourism must be seen as an internal transfer of visitors, not just isolated attractions”
Ion Ștefanovici, President of C.A.P.D.R., criticized the lack of an integrated regional vision for tourism development in Neamț County, including the limited involvement of ADR North-East.
“Over the years, absolutely nothing has been done for the shared tourist corridors – Piatra Neamț, Durău, Bicaz, Farcașa, Borca, the monasteries. Nothing. There’s no coordinated effort.”
Ștefanovici stressed that joint and concrete efforts are essential.
“We have investors, like the Tărăță family in Durău, we have important projects such as the Roman Gardens in Bicaz. But we don’t connect them. We must work together on joint initiatives. Tourists come attracted by the Bucovina brand, but they don’t stay in Neamț. That’s our challenge: how to transfer them within the region, how to retain them longer.”
An important initiative was announced: the development of a regional tourism booking platform, supported by artificial intelligence, to organize integrated two-week circuits in Moldova.
“We want to connect tourists with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. To create land and air routes that go beyond Suceava or the Prahova Valley. To take them to Piatra Neamț, Bacău, Stănești.”
Cristian Sauciuc: “Much more can be done, but it requires joint effort”
In response, Cristian Sauciuc openly admitted that “much more can be done” and emphasized the need for cooperation between cities, towns, investors, and funding authorities.
“Farcașa and Borca connect two counties – we must use this connection to develop sustainable tourism and infrastructure links.”
Mountain strategies and regional directions for CAP: “We must act as one”
Ion Ștefanovici also discussed the need for a common approach to developing the mountain economy in Suceava, Neamț, and Bacău counties, in light of future EU funding opportunities.
“We’ve started working on a €5 million strategy for the mountain area, which is vital. The Common Agricultural Policy is shifting towards regionalization, and without clear strategies, we’ll lose the funding.”
He warned that without coordinated vision, rural and mountain development funds could be redirected to better-prepared regions.
“We need well-structured strategies to access these funds. Otherwise, we’ll just be spectators to the development of others.”
Conclusion
Panel 2 of FERM 2025 made one thing clear: European funds are no longer a luxury, but an economic lifeline for the Moldova region. Urban development, tourism, infrastructure, and the mountain economy all require vision, collaboration, and concrete action.
As Ion Ștefanovici said, “we’re all in the same landscape” – and only together can we transform Moldova into a strong, competitive, and European-integrated region.
