Moldovan mayors turn local assets into economic growth
Mayors in Moldova are investing in local businesses, public spaces and tourism, as communities seek to attract funding and turn local assets into new economic opportunities.
Local businesses benefit from urban investment
The town of Leova has received funding through the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative to develop a pedestrian street. The investment amounted to approximately €20,000 (approx. 401,900 MDL), and local authorities plan to expand the project.
“We have developed sections of an important street in the town. We have created conditions for local businesses to sell their products. At the same time, we wanted to improve the appearance of this section and make it more attractive to tourists visiting the town,” said Gheorghe Focșa, Leova's deputy mayor.
Sireți plans four tourist routes
The village of Sireți, which hosted the annual mayors' forum, is also developing its tourism potential. Local authorities have identified four tourist routes that they plan to develop and promote.
“We have identified four tourist routes in Sireți, which we intend to develop and promote to attract as many tourists as possible. This directly means more investment and financial resources for the community,” said village mayor Leonid Boaghi.
EU and UNDP support local economic planning
Around 60 representatives of local administrations, experts and development partners attended the annual forum in Sireți, Strășeni District. Discussions focused on attracting funding and developing local economies through support from the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Mayors presented projects already implemented in their communities and discussed further economic development opportunities under the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative.
“The programme supports several communities. At least six are currently developing economic plans based on identifying their economic missions, with mentoring, technical assistance and grants for implementing specific projects. Here in Sireți, for example, the authorities are receiving support to identify their economic mission, which is linked to developing local tourism,” said Olesea Cazacu, a programme coordinator at UNDP Moldova.
The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented in four countries: the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia.
In 2025 alone, approximately €1 million (approx. 20.1 million MDL) was mobilised to support local administrations across these countries.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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