The locality of Dănceni, from the Republic of Moldova, a model of resilient and sustainable development

The village of Dănceni is part of Ialoveni District and is located 5 km away from the town of Ialoveni and 15 km from Chișinău

Mayor Victoria Butuc-Guranda, deeply connected to her hometown of Dănceni, has taken on the responsibility to transform it into a resilient and sustainable development model.

In this context, completed projects include the implementation of the sewage system and wastewater treatment plant, improvement of conditions in the local kindergarten through major renovations and new equipment, as well as signifi cant repairs to the street infrastructure, including the construction of a pedestrian street, and the establishment of a new playground for children.

The main future objectives are to improve road infrastructure, complete the sewage and water supply system, enhance conditions in educational institutions for children, develop cultural and sports infrastructure, and stimulate the local economy.

What are the most important completed projects in the village of Dănceni and their impact on the community?

During my first term, we completed several significant projects that were eagerly anticipated by the residents of Dănceni, including:

• Implementation of the sewage system and wastewater treatment plant, the first in the district, now serving 60% of local households. This project, valued at over 20 million lei, also received a grant of 2 million lei from Romania through the European Village Program. Currently, we are working on expanding the sewage network.
• Improvement of conditions at the local kindergarten through various projects, including opening a new group for 2-3-year-old children, major building renovations, and acquisition of necessary equipment with support from the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova within the Romanian Government.
• Major repairs on several local streets and sidewalks, including the construction of a pedestrian street.
• Construction of a new children’s playground.
• Acquisition of a bulldozer through a grant, useful for both municipal works and residents.
• Upgrading of street lighting by 90%.
• Significant efforts to bring the drinking water main into the village, hoping to provide potable water directly to households soon.

These are the major projects, but of course, we have also implemented many other smaller initiatives equally important for improving the quality of life for residents.

What are your plans for the future of the village of Dănceni, and what is your long-term development vision?

My plans for the future of the village of Dănceni focus on transforming it into a resilient and sustainable development model. The long-term vision includes strengthening the local economy through an active strategy of attracting investors and economic agents, which would allow for diversification of income sources.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your role as mayor, and how have you managed to overcome them?

During my tenure as mayor, I have faced numerous challenges, but my love for the people, my passion for improving the lives of the residents of my hometown, Dănceni, and my desire to transform this place have been the driving forces that have helped me overcome all obstacles. One of the biggest challenges was mobilizing the financial resources needed to implement development and infrastructure projects.

What are the main objectives of your term as mayor, and what progress has been made in achieving them so far?

The main objectives of my term for the period 2023-2027 are improving road infrastructure, completing the sewage and water supply system, enhancing conditions in educational institutions for children, developing cultural and sports infrastructure, and stimulating the local economy. So far, signifi cant progress has been made in achieving these objectives:

1. Road infrastructure: We have planned the construction of a sidewalk on the central street, a highly anticipated project by locals, which will improve pedestrian safety. This project was won under the My Community Program, funded by USAID.
2. Completion of the sewage and water supply system: Works are underway, and once completed, they will ensure access to essential services for all residents.
3. Education: We have applied for several funding programs to renovate the kindergarten facade and improve educational conditions. Additionally, we are working on repairing a new nursery group with the support of Street Child organization and the Ministry of Social Protection and Labor.
4. Cultural and sports infrastructure: One of the recently won projects is the construction of a summer stage, funded by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, we have applied for the repair of the mini-football field, awaiting results.
5. Local economic development: We continue to explore and implement initiatives to attract investments and stimulate economic growth in the village.

As we move forward, these projects will continue to transform the village of Dănceni into a more beautiful, prosperous, and friendly place for all its residents.

How have you managed to balance the preservation of traditions with the promotion of innovation and progress in the development of the village of Dănceni?

We deeply value our traditions, and balancing the preservation of traditions with the promotion of innovation and progress in the village of Dănceni is one of our main priorities. We have our wonderful artists who promote folk dance and song from young to old: ensembles such as Brîuleț, Alină-te dor, Morărițele, Soacrele, and Voci de Argint from Alexandrina Rusu Gymnasium, alongside young talents like Cristina Popov, Carina Cotovanu, and Galina Maleca, are the pride of our community. On the other hand, we are committed to advancing innovation and technological progress to significantly improve this field.

You successfully organized the International Mayors Summit! How do you think this event will contribute to the development of the community you represent and to the consolidation of international relations?

The International Mayors Summit, initiated in 2016 in Ukraine as a platform for knowledge exchange among local administration leaders, has evolved into a signifi cant event that transcends the boundaries of a simple conference, becoming a space where valuable projects and partnerships are born. This year, the event was hosted by the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, and we had the privilege of being the host municipality.

Over 400 mayors and other personalities from various parts of Europe participated in the Summit, including Maia Sandu, the President of our country.
This meeting was primarily an opportunity to unite people, cities, and countries, regardless of their location on the map. The Summit provided us with the opportunity for valuable exchange of experiences and best practices with our fellow mayors, laying the groundwork for future collaborations. Additionally, we had the opportunity to off er support and solidarity to mayors from Ukraine, who are on the front line of the conflict, fighting to protect their people, cities, and country.

Furthermore, this Summit brought international recognition to the village of Dănceni, a small place rich in people, values, and remarkable landscapes. By participating in this event, Dănceni has become mentioned on the lips of the whole world, and we hope it has left a lasting impression on the hearts of all guests. This experience not only strengthened the international ties of our community but also promoted it as a destination of interest for visitors and investors.