Moldova Cooperation in Regional Development Project

The Co-operation in Regional Development Project aims to support the Government of Moldova (GoM) to implement the regional development law passed in December 2006 and roll out the (draft) National Strategy for Regional Development (NSRD). It has been developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Local and Public Administration (MLPA), now superseded by the Ministry for Construction and Regional Development (MCRD), and follows on from three EU TACIS projects that have supported the GoM to develop a regional development concept, law and strategy. The total value of donor support for technical cooperation, provided by DFID and Sida will be £2.9 million (managed by OPM in association with the University of Birmingham and IPP) with potential budget support in future.

The project goal is: Reduced levels of poverty and inequality in Moldova as a result of economic growth. The project purpose is: GoM has in place the systems and procedures to implement a national strategy for regional development that promotes inclusive economic growth.

The project has two components. First, a programme of technical assistance will be provided to cover a range of institutional strengthening activities at both the national and regional levels. Second, financing may be made available to the MoF by DFID to fund a range of projects included in the regional development strategies (RDSs) and operational plans (OPs).

Regarding the first component, technical assistance is provided for a range of activities to support the delivery of five outputs as described below:

Output I: Enhanced capacity of national and regional institutions

Output II: Regional development strategies informed by economic, social and environmental analysis

Output III: Transparent and accountable monitoring and evaluation system in operation

Output IV: Strong local and regional partnerships managing and delivering RD projects

Output V: Effective RD financing arrangements in place

With regard to the second component, DFID may make available directly to the MoF resource transfers for project financing. This will be channelled by the MoF directly to the institutions procuring regional development projects. The aim will be, as far as possible, to use GoM procedures and systems so that a single system can be used for both GoM and DFID money. A fiduciary risk assessment (FRA) will be conducted before any resource transfer takes place.

Moldova Regional Livelihoods Study (794k)
A regional background study completed in March 2009 to examine the different social problems faced in the North, South and Central regions within Moldova to help inform the Regional Development Strategies.

Moldova Environment Background Study Summary (166k)
A regional background study was completed in January 2009 to examine the different environmental problems faced in the North, South and Central regions within Moldova to help inform the Regional Development Strategies. This is a summary version of the report.