Local Development Annual Programme Review 2004 Chisinau, 17 December, 2004

Local Agenda 21 in Moldova Sustainable Tourism Development Habitat Agenda ( Mesmerizing Moldova) Better Opportunities for Youth and Women Local Development

Local Development 2004: Promotes:  Good Governance and Partnerships Localizes:  Sustainable Development and MDGs 15 localities (5 urban and 10 rural) implement Local Agenda 21 4 localities are part of the country Rural Tourism Development Scheme Chişinău capital municipality implements Habitat Agenda

Results (1) Capacity Building and Ownership Local development plans owned by community Local Development Actors more active (LA21 School, youth centres) Capacity Developed in Tourism Sector (Baseline studies, Vocational Centre) Tourism starts bringing money to the community (agro pensions, a better system in Orheiul Vechi) Knowledge Products (guides on housing and rural tourism, manual on urban development) Co-financing from local administration (joint initiatives, parallel financing)

Results (2): Enabling policy environment Concept of General Urban Development Plan for Chisinau approved by the municipal authorities Methodology for planning and implementation of General Urban Plans Housing Strategy for Chisinau Municipality Concept of Sustainable Urban Development National and Regional Forums (urban, local development, youth) Information dissemination (LA21 Units, publications, TV/Radio, web sites)

Results (3) : Partnerships for Development Central Government - Local Public Authorities Local Public Authorities – Civil Society – Private Sector Education Sector – Local Development Planners Contributions from local budget for development activities / strategies National Coalition for Prosperous Cities Association of Moldovan Cities Local Agenda 21 geographical extension ~ 80 localities interested Small Grants Programmes ( best development practices, job creation )

Low understanding of the benefits of development opportunities (tourism, strategic planning, urban rehabilitation) Insufficient local financial resources Discrepancy between the demand for information on local development and the capacity to deliver it Insufficient cooperation between the local and central public authorities Poor skills at the community level (tourism, urbanism) Limited interest from private sector to partner with public authorities Projects’ products are not absorbed in governmental policies and strategies Constraints

Lessons Learned Active dissemination of Best Practices leads to replication of activities The economic component of the local agendas is weak A neutral facilitator is needed for a successful policy dialogue Partnership building needs well-informed actors Communication strategies are necessary for a greater impact Assimilated international expertise greatly supports capacity building (UNESCO, Collin report)

Plans for 2005 Local Development Programme: –Strategic Planning –Economic Development –Social Inclusion –Information and Learning Network Integrated M&E framework (set of indicators, joint Steering Committee meetings) Regular outcome group meetings (Local Development Community of Practice )

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