Ovidiu SESERMAN, Head of Department at Vatra Dornei City Hall, at FERM 2025: “For Vatra Dornei, European funds are not an option — they are the only real path to sustainable development”
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 Governmental Funds: Opportunities, Challenges, and Cross-Border Cooperation
Speaker:
Ovidiu Seserman – Head of Service, Vatra Dornei City Hall
Speech Topic:
“Sustainable Urban Development through Maximum Absorption of European and National Funds”
At the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, held in Vatra Dornei, one of the most compelling speeches on European financing, urban development, and effective local governance was delivered by Ovidiu Seserman, Head of Service at Vatra Dornei City Hall.
He presented an impressive overview of investments made through non-reimbursable funds and a clear snapshot of how a medium-sized mountain town can become a development hub through smart access to external funding.
Efficient Local Governance = Transparent Decisions and High-Impact Projects
Seserman began his speech by clearly defining a modern administration.
“Efficient local governance, linked to European or non-reimbursable projects, means managing community resources and issues through transparent, participatory decisions focused on concrete results.”
In his view, turning plans into projects is key to achieving real impact on citizens’ quality of life. For an intervention to be effective, it must be part of a coherent long-term strategy with a clear innovative component.
A City Built on Non-Reimbursable Funds
Given that Vatra Dornei’s local budget from its own revenues was around €8 million in 2024, the city’s development strategy has relied almost entirely on European and governmental funds.
“This was and still is the only chance for sustainable development.”
The results confirm this approach: during the two European budget cycles (2014–2020 and 2021–2027), projects worth over €100 million were implemented, of which €45 million were EU-funded.
Tangible Transformations in Infrastructure, Health, Education, and Tourism
Dry numbers become impressive through actual results. In Vatra Dornei:
- The entire thermal energy distribution network, both primary and secondary, was fully rehabilitated;
- A long-awaited gas supply and distribution network project was launched and is nearly complete;
- Over 25 km of streets were paved and the water and sewage networks were fully modernized;
- The entire public lighting system was rehabilitated and expanded.
In healthcare, with support from the Regional Operational Programme:
- An integrated outpatient clinic was built and equipped at the Municipal Hospital;
- The obstetrics-gynecology department was rehabilitated;
- A major project is in preparation: building a new hospital worth €75 million.
In education, all institutions – from nurseries to high schools – were rehabilitated and equipped. In tourism and recreation:
- Playgrounds and recreational areas were created;
- A swimming pool building is under construction (Lunca Dornelor area);
- A major project is underway to expand the ski area and install a summer sled track.
Digitalization and Urban Mobility: Towards a Smart Municipality
The City Hall has invested in simplifying public services through two POCA projects, as well as in:
- Implementing a smart urban management system with CCTV;
- Digitalizing urban planning documentation (GIS);
- Building digitalized ecological islands;
- Installing electric vehicle charging stations.
“One of our targets is a green municipality. We are implementing the Green Municipality – sustainable urban mobility project in Vatra Dornei.”
Urban Regeneration in the Historic Area and Heritage
One of the most ambitious projects is the urban regeneration of the historic area of Băilor Park, including the restoration of the Izvorul-Sentinela building, valued at over €7 million.
€130 Million in Ongoing or Planned Projects
Currently, 24 projects are underway, worth approximately €45 million, including:
- 18 projects with European funding (via PNRR, Regional Program, Modernization Fund);
- 6 projects with national funding.
“If we include projects under evaluation or in preparation, the total value reaches around €130 million.”
The municipality benefits from a clear financial pre-allocation in the 2021–2027 Regional Program: €8.7 million, accessible directly without competitive calls, by submitting projects.
Conclusion: A City Reinventing Itself Through Projects
Ovidiu Seserman’s speech was a best practice example in local public administration. From a municipality with modest own revenues, Vatra Dornei has transformed, over two EU budget cycles, into a regional development hub, proving that a coherent strategy, an efficient administrative team, and the will to build make all the difference.
