Twenty three mayoralties from Ungheni region of Moldova create Intercommunity Development Association to support collaboration between localities, with EU funding

Twenty three mayoralties from the western Ungheni region have created an Intercommunity Development Association (IDA), in order to improve public services, attract investments and implement regional projects. On April 4, its headquarters was inaugurated at the Ungheni city hall, supported by the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

‘’The creation of the Ungheni Intercommunity Development Association represents an important step in the institutionalization and implementation of intercommunity cooperation, in order to ensure harmonious local and regional development. We are confident that joining the efforts of level II and I authorities in the Ungheni district will result in the implementation of necessary and long-awaited joint projects by citizens, especially regarding the supply of quality public services. As we are at the beginning of this way, we focus on strengthening the association's capabilities,’’ noted the interim director of IDA Ungheni, Ina Olearciuc.

One of the main objectives of IDA Ungheni is the modernization of local infrastructure, essential for economic development and improving living conditions. Through participatory planning, local authorities, along with the IDA, will analyze the current state of the infrastructure and propose solutions to extend and improve public services. Also, investments that can be jointly made for the sustainable development of the region will be established.

For IDA to be set up, UNDP and the EU provided institutional support. Thus, an Intercommunity Council was established, comprising representatives of 23 communities, who ruled to provide public services together. These councils have benefited from legal assistance for the institutionalization of intercommunity cooperation. The decisions were afterwards approved by the local councils of the member communities. Finally, service providers were reorganized and institutional and operational capacities were consolidated. Thus, over 80 thousand resident will benefit from common services.

As an intermediary between authorities and public service operators, IDA Ungheni, with the support of the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions programme, contributed to the modernization of Apă-Canal Ungheni and AVE Ungheni operators, facilitating the expansion of water, sewage and waste management services in several settlements.

During 2022-2024, the EU and UNDP Moldova supported the Ungheni and Cahul regions in enforcing an intercommunity cooperation model, aimed at improving public services and strengthening relationships between communities. The investment, of over one million euros on behalf of EU and 50,000 euros from France, was meant for purchasing equipment, infrastructure works, technical assistance and strengthening the capacities of service operators.

In the near future, IDA Cahul will also be institutionalized in the Cahul region.

The EU4Moldova: Focal Regions programme (2019-2025) supports smart, inclusive and sustainable social and economic development in the Cahul and Ungheni regions, in order to ensure a better quality of life for residents. The programme has an overall budget of 23 million euros, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).