Nina COSTIUC, Mayor of Budești Village, a Suburb of Chișinău, at FERM 2025: ‘Transparency and Responsibility Are the Key to Developing Our Communities’
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
Speaker:
Nina Costiuc – Mayor of Budești village, Chișinău
Topic of the speech:
“Peri-urban communities in transformation: Budești – strategic partnerships and sustainable local development models on the outskirts of Chișinău”
Nina Costiuc – mayor of Budești village in the municipality of Chișinău – highlighted a local governance model focused on civic engagement, sustainable partnerships, and transparent management of public funds.
Her participation in Panel 11 – Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development offered an authentic perspective on the challenges and achievements of a community taking concrete steps toward modernization.
“If we had more people like you, we would be much further ahead”
From the beginning of her speech, Nina Costiuc conveyed a message of appreciation toward the organizers and participants of the forum, recalling with emotion her first experience at FERM.
“Standing here and having the opportunity to see the beauty around, I imagined it was Strasbourg. If we further beautify the bridges, we will surpass Europe.”
With humor and sincerity, she spoke about the daily struggle for every resource, emphasizing that even a $15,000 grant can have a significant impact for local administrations.
“For me, it is also important to get a little push, so I can find another 15,000 and more to do something beautiful. I planned to build a stage, set up urban furniture…”
A model of local governance: Budești between modernization, solidarity, and civic engagement
Nina Costiuc’s speech was accompanied by a detailed video presentation that showcased the transformations in Budești under her leadership. Reelected in 2023 for a new term, the mayor demonstrated, together with her team, a coherent vision for the socio-economic development of the community.
Notable projects mentioned include:
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The inter-municipal sanitation project Budești–Tohatin–Cruzești–Colonița, with a budget of over $400,000, serving approximately 15,000 residents;
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The regional sewage network Budești–Cruzești–Tohatin, including a pumping station in Tohatin;
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Development of the central park with urban furniture, playgrounds, and a road safety education area for children;
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The community day center for seniors and refugees, offering social, psychological support and recreational activities;
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Partnerships with civil society and the diaspora, through the Association of Budești Natives – “The Parental Home”, supporting the equipping of the children’s center and library.
Budești has thus become an example of good local governance through inter-municipal collaboration, investment in education and infrastructure, as well as participatory budgeting and transparency in decision-making.
“When you have nothing to eat, you cannot sing or dance”
In the second part of her speech, Nina Costiuc addressed a sensitive yet essential point: realistic reporting on European funds and the responsibility in their usage.
“The population of the Republic of Moldova will support the European course when they understand where and how this money is used… We must not blush, and we must know clearly how we spend public funds,” emphasized the mayor.
Criticizing unnecessary expenses, “coffee breaks and endless trainings with many tourist routes,” she advocated for a modest, responsible administration focused on tangible results.
With a sincere and straightforward message, Nina Costiuc stated that development does not come automatically or through political promises.
“We must all, together, be responsible… I don’t have millions of euros, I have millions of lei, a little less, much less. But we will manage with modesty and openness.”
“Transparency – a pillar of regional cooperation”
In the context of the panel on regional and international cooperation, Costiuc conveyed a key message: only through transparency and genuine citizen involvement can sustainable projects be implemented. She highlighted the importance of clear communication about the sources and use of European funds, as well as the need for a mindset shift in local administration.
“We, Moldovans, from across the Prut, must deserve this.”
In conclusion, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this dialogue and collaboration framework.
“Thank you very much for your kindness, for this warm welcome, and… let’s get to work.”
Conclusion
Nina Costiuc, through her intervention, perfectly illustrated the mission of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova: to create real bridges between administrations, investors, and communities, with a focus on sustainability, transparency, and concrete action. Budești thus becomes not only a local example but also a regional source of inspiration.
Her speech was a sincere plea for a citizen-focused administration, attentive to the real needs of the community and capable of leveraging every resource, no matter how small, into projects with visible impact. Through inter-municipal collaborations, citizen involvement in decision-making, and sustainable partnerships with civil society, Budești’s mayoralty succeeds in generating concrete changes and maintaining residents’ trust.
Nina Costiuc’s participation in FERM 2025 provided a clear example of authentic local leadership, where modesty does not exclude ambition, and realism is intertwined with vision. Her message is clear: sustainable development begins with honesty, engagement, and respect for every leu invested in the public good.
