Matthew STAHLMAN is an American volunteer who will work in the North Regional Development Agency (RDA North) for the next two years.  RDA North and United States Government Agency Peace Corps will continue the collaboration that began on January 20, 2011.

Through the Agribusiness and Rural Business Development program (ARBD), North RDA staff and Peace Corps Volunteers work together on organizational development, project implementation and organizational management.

The ARBD project aims to support expansion of the Moldovan economy in rural areas.

Volunteer Matthew STAHLMAN will promote RDA North activities and facilitate access to information for beneficiaries. He will contribute to the capacity building of Agency staff and assist in professional development. Note that, in parallel with increasing knowledge of RDA North and developing proficiency of the Romanian language, Matthew will work in the first five months translating the most important articles on the Agency's website into English.

"Working with the United States Peace Corps in Moldova will contribute to exchange information on regional development and strengthen institutional capacities of the Agency," said North RDA director, Ion BODRUG.

Peace Corps, a US government Agency established in 1961, sends volunteers to countries around the world to help build stronger communities and improve understanding between Americans and other people. Volunteers have been in Moldova since 1993. According to Peace Corps Moldova's website, approximately 800 volunteers have been in service in Moldova. After their return to the United States, volunteers continue their service as unofficial ambassadors of the Republic of Moldova.