FERM 2025 | Dialogue between Alexandru GAMANJII (ADR Chișinău) and Ion ȘTEFANOVICI (CAPDR): “ADR Chișinău is a European cooperation platform for attracting external funding”
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:
Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development
Speakers:
Alexandru Gamanjii – Head of Planning and Programming Section at the Regional Development Agency (ADR) Chișinău / Ion Ștefanovici – President of CAPDR
Topic of the intervention:
“Institutional Platform for European Cooperation in Regional Development between the Republic of Moldova and the Moldova Region of Romania”
The panel “Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development”, organized as part of the 18th edition of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova, highlighted essential topics for the future of cooperation between the Moldova Region of Romania and the Republic of Moldova: institutional efficiency of regional development agencies, alignment of 2024–2030 funding programs with real local needs, as well as structural challenges affecting European fund absorption.
A consistent dialogue developed between Alexandru Gamanjii, Head of the Planning and Programming Section at the Regional Development Agency (ADR) Chișinău, and Ion Ștefanovici, President of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR). Their interventions provided a clear, non-superficial overview of what building a European cooperation architecture in the Republic of Moldova truly entails.
An institution at the beginning of its journey, with strategic responsibility
“I am pleased to represent today the Regional Development Agency of Chișinău Municipality. It is a young institution – on July 7, 2025, we celebrated two years of activity”, emphasized Alexandru Gamanjii at the opening of his speech. Compared to the ADRs in the North, Center, South, or Gagauzia, established in 2011–2012, ADR Chișinău currently operates with a small team, within a common regulatory framework but in a distinct administrative reality.
The Chișinău Development Region covers an area of maximum importance: “We have governmental institutions, hospitals, schools, universities – a complex urban ecosystem that requires corresponding administrative capacity.”
From regulation to reality: “We work with the tools we have”
The agency is anchored in three main legislative pillars: Law no. 438/2006 on regional development, Government Decision 127/2008 for its implementation, and Government Decision 152/2022, which regulates funding from the Regional and Local Development Fund.
“For now, we operate under the legal framework that applies to all ADRs. Starting in 2027, a reorganization of all agencies is planned, in the context of European integration”, added Gamanjii, emphasizing that institutional developments are pending.
Ion Ștefanovici, a critical but constructive perspective
The intervention of CAPDR President, Ion Ștefanovici, offered a critical but constructive perspective:
“What you are presenting is not necessarily the best model of ADR functioning in Europe. Normally, agencies build capacity, not implement directly. In the Republic of Moldova, however, implementation, control, and approval happen in the same place.”
According to him, this concentration of duties is a major bottleneck:
“It is self-limiting and contrary to European institutional logic. We have limited human capacity, and in Chișinău, with such an administrative burden, the lack of human and material resources is a real handicap.”
Blocked funding, suspended partnerships
A telling example of systemic dysfunctions is a joint project between CAPDR and ADR Chișinău which, although approved, had not been funded by July 2025.
“We were supposed to receive the funds in December 2024. It is now July 2025, and there is still nothing in our accounts. It is very difficult to assume coherent regional development under such conditions,” said President Ion Ștefanovici.
Gamanjii confirmed:
“It is a great regret. We worked together on this project. We are awaiting the signing of the partnership agreement with the European Commission. Everything is in the air.”
UPDATE:
After a prolonged period marked by complex administrative procedures and missed deadlines, the joint project between CAPDR and ADR Chișinău officially entered the implementation phase. The signing of the funding contract, completed in July, unlocked an initiative considered essential for strengthening bilateral cooperation and for the integrated development of the Chișinău Development Region. August 1, 2025, marked the actual start of planned activities, providing a clear operational framework and the necessary resources to achieve the assumed objectives.
This stage represents more than a procedural step – it is a moment of validation for the diplomatic, technical, and institutional efforts made by both parties in the preceding months. The actual launch of the project confirms the capacity of CAPDR and ADR Chișinău to overcome bureaucratic bottlenecks and transform strategic partnerships into concrete actions, directly impacting beneficiary communities. In a regional context marked by the acute need for infrastructure, efficient public services, and sustainable investments, initiating this project is evidence that perseverance and coordination can produce tangible results with long-term impact.
Examples of engagement: apartment courtyards and urban revitalization
Despite challenges, ADR Chișinău demonstrated initiative. A call for projects dedicated to rehabilitating apartment courtyards in Chișinău generated 502 applications, of which 473 were eligible, and 57 have already been declared winners.
“This is an example that it can be done. Following technical evaluations, we will be able to redistribute unused funds and possibly expand the list of beneficiaries,” explained Gamanjii.
Another relevant project is urban revitalization, supported by the Government of Poland and the Solidarity Fund. ADR Chișinău is actively engaged in training and methodological development to launch its own urban revitalization program starting in 2026.
“The first step is identifying degraded areas in the city. We are talking about areas where all economic indicators are below the urban average. Resources must be directed there.”
Suburbs, hospitals, and untapped potential
Ion Ștefanovici highlighted again the need for an integrated regional approach:
“We need to gather absolutely all information – from health, culture, tourism, and education – and incorporate it into a coherent strategy.”
Referring to a previous visit to ADR Chișinău, he appreciated the institution’s mobilization:
“You managed to bring in mayors from the suburbs. I did not know when the project would materialize, but now it is clear that we can act beyond it.”
Perspectives: between postponed reforms and growth plans
In conclusion, Ștefanovici emphasized a key truth:
“The only real challenge is that we cannot finance an integrated strategy. We lack funds for specialists and modern planning tools.”
However, there are promising prospects:
“1.9 billion from the Growth Plan has reached Chișinău, but more is needed. Much work lies ahead of us.”
Conclusion: Without institutional reform, regional development remains an incomplete project
Discussions during the panel “Regional and International Cooperation” confirmed a simple but uncomfortable truth: without institutional reform and administrative depoliticization, regional development mechanisms risk remaining empty shells.
Although ADR Chișinău is a new institution with objective limitations, there are already clear signals that vision, will, and initiative exist. The example of community projects, cross-border partnerships initiated, and collaborations with institutions such as CAPDR shows that the path can be followed, even if it is challenging.
“ADR Chișinău remains a partner for us.” – Ion Ștefanovici
In a regional context marked by instability and external challenges, building a real European cooperation platform between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with centers of competence such as ADR Chișinău, is no longer a cosmetic project but a geopolitical, social, and economic necessity.
What is missing is neither the idea, nor the partner, nor the legislative framework – but the predictable functionality of institutions, political commitment to real priorities, and coherent funding for already assumed visions. Only in this way can cross-border cooperation become a backbone of sustainable regional development in both countries.
