National and local journalists interested in regional development projects carried out in the north of Moldova

On April 2, a group of 15 journalists from national and local media outlets visited three localities in the north of the country where the Northern Regional Development Agency (North RDA) conducted regional development projects.

The study visit for journalists and bloggers was organized by the Association of Independent Press (AIP) for the project "Integrated efforts to promote regional development to mass-media" and was funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The first journalists visited the headquarters of the North RDA in Balti, for the open door days. At the event, they became acquainted with the specifics of North RDA team work. On this occasion, RDA North Director, Ion Bodrug thanked the journalists and bloggers who were interested in the study visit organized by the AIP. "The results of our work can be brought into the homes of every citizen, and that is thanks to the effort of journalists. Because we something to say to the citizens and because RDA North is a transparent institution, I always pay attention to the relationship with media outlets", says director Ion Bodrug.

The road that crosses "Little Paris" in the north of Moldova

The first destination was the village Corjeuţi in Briceni, where a section of road that runs through the village Corjeuţi (Briceni) and reaches the village Trinca (Edineţ) with a length of 7.721 km was rehabilitated. Totaling  51 270 100,00 lei, the project "Repair of local road L-37 - Lipcani-Balasineşti-Corjeuţi-Tirnova" is by far the most expensive regional development project carried out in Moldova using sources of the National Fund for Regional Development (NFRD).

In the village of Corjeuţi, both sides of the road sector renovated and sidewalks were paved. Partly, the same was done in the village of Trinca, Edinet. Also, along the path that runs through the village Corjeuţi two bridges were rehabilitated and Mayor Victor Andronic, says he will convince all households with access to the renovated road whitewash the edges of sidewalks and plant flowers in plots roadside, so the main street that runs through the village Corjeuţi, nicknamed "little Paris", has a beautiful look.

Briceni district president, Efimia Bandalac, thanked the journalists for increased interest of successful projects conducted by North RDA Briceni.

The first business incubator in rural areas

The second project journalists visited was in the village Larga, Briceni, where the headquarters of the Public Institution "Business Incubator Larga" (IP "I.A. Larga"), the first business incubator in a rural area in Moldova was renovated and provided with equipment and furniture.

North RDA Director, Ion Bodrug, told journalists that the Larga business incubator, with a total area of 1400m2, has been renovated as a result of the implementation of the regional development project "The inauguration of Larga community business incubator - an important factor for work on active employment measures of youth in the region" by North RDA. For this project, 2 570 390 lei were allocated from the NFRD. The total project value is however 4 846 910 lei, the difference in money from NFRD funds was input from the community of Larga.

"Launching the business incubator is based off the objective of combating poverty by creating jobs. It is a chance for all those who have entrepreneurial spirit and initiative", said the manager of Larga Incubator, Elena Bejenaru.

Intercommunity Cultural Center in the "village with projects"

The third destination of the study visit was the village of Floreşti Băhrinești, called the "village with projects" because last year the draft budget Băhrinești was two times higher than the general village budget.

The journalists visited "village with projects" Intercommunity Cultural Center - a modern culture house that the renovation of which was allocated from NFRD, 1 249 700 lei. The result of the project "Cultural Crossroads" house of culture was virtually removed from wreckage and connected to power and the platform in front of the building was paved. Also, furniture, household items, machinery and computers were purchased. Mayor of Băhrinești, Feodosia Bunescu argues that cultural institution can gather all the generations of the village, as it is equipped with a concert hall, computers, hotel and restaurant.

"And we have with Băhrinești, a success story, a project that could make the town more attractive to tourists, a project that should inspire others", said RDA North Director, Ion Bodrug.

It is worth mentioning that the total renovation project of the Intercommunity Cultural Center of Băhrinești amounted to 2 542 900 lei from both NFRD sources and sources from Moldova Social Investment Fund (MSIF).

Previously, AIP similar study visits organized in other regions of the country. Also in November 2013, in Balti, a press club dedicated to regional development projects carried out in the Northern Region was held.