[Closed] Support for agriculture and rural development in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district

Status:Closed
Duration:2016 – 2018
Budget:7,142,857 USD
Donor:European Union
Coverage:ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district
Beneficiaries:Population of the ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district
Focus Area:Inclusive Growth
Partners:Regional Authorities from Gagauzia, Taraclia and other districts; Government of Moldova (national institutions dealing with agriculture and rural development), business associations from the regions, as well as from Chisinau, regional/municipal authorities, community-based organizations, international, national and local NGOs active in target regions
Project Document:Support for agriculture and rural development in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia
Other Document:Projects carried out in the framework of Support for agriculture and rural development in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia
Final Report:Support for agriculture and rural development in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district - Final Report
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.

Project Summary:

The SARD Programme aims to boost the collaboration between central and local authorities, as well as among the regional organizations from ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district, so as to foster the social-economic development of the region and of the Republic of Moldova as a whole. The Programme contribute to development of the agro-food sector, promotion of local entrepreneurship, creation of jobs, and increasing the income of the population living in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district.

Objectives:

  • Enhanced Dialogue and Community Empowerment;
  • Support for local entrepreneurship initiatives and SMEs’ development;
  • Infrastructure Refurbishment and Promotion of Inter-Municipal Cooperation.

The proposed intervention will aim to tackle the key gaps identified in the main strategic document of the region’s development [1] in line with “Moldova 2020” Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Strategy for SME Development 2020, as well as the National Development Strategy. [1] UTAG Analysis of the economic situation and development potential (Expert Group), Gagauzia Opportunities for Investment (IDIS, LGI/OSI), Strategy for Socio Economic Development (2009-2015), Strategy for SMEs Development and Support (2012-2014)

Expected results:

  • Enhanced cooperation in agriculture and rural development between national authorities and local authorities of ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district;
  • Empowered local communities to actively participate in the decision-making process and development of their localities, as well as in integrating the needs of women and men, particularly the most vulnerable;
  • Strengthened rural business support infrastructure in targeted regions for SMEs development;
  • Promoted employability and supported local entrepreneurship in target regions, through Comrat Regional Syslab Center;
  • Increased access to quality public services for 41 localities and 7 clusters of localities in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district;
  • Infrastructure refurbishment projects implemented within 41 localities and 7 clusters of localities (in Gagauzia, Taraclia and neighboring communities).

Accomplishments:      

  • Local public authorities (LPAs) from 41 localities have received support for capacity development, community mobilization and institutional development;
  • Target support was provided in writing project proposals and identification of potential financial sources: LPAs in the targeted region managed to substantially upgrade their fundraising capacities;
  • 31 local socio-economic development strategies for 2017-2022 were developed and 10 strategies were updated. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy of ATU Gagauzia was developed and the one for Taraclia district was updated;
  • 308 public servants from targeted communities learned from best LPA and IMC experiences through nine local study visits;
  • 30 startups and experienced entrepreneurs from ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district received EU grants worth from EUR 8,600 to 18,500 each and consultancy/coaching support within the SARD Programme to set up or develop their businesses;
  • 2 cross-sectorial business associations were established in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district and support provided: the Association of Business People of Gagauzia NEXT and the Taraclia Business Association;
  • 250 new jobs were created with EU assistance within SARD Programme in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district;
  • 191 persons benefited from training and individual consultancy in the Comrat Syslab Centre, of whom 180 were successfully employed;
  • 107 persons were trained in entrepreneurship in the Comrat Syslab Centre, of whom 33 benefited from EU grants worth up to 2,450 Euro each and have launched their own business;
  • 41 infrastructure projects have been implemented to renovate local roads, schools, kindergartens, spots facilities, cultural and social centers, street lighting, waste management and water supply and sanitation systems;
  • More than 27,500 people from 10 communities have got access to safe sources of water;
  • 46 localities were involved so that together they could dispose of the waste, through joint efforts seven intermunicipal waste management services were created;
  • Local and regional authorities contributed with over MDL 48 million to support infrastructure and inter-municipal cooperation projects;
  • The first 8 Local Action Groups (LAGs) from Moldova were established and formalized; they brought together 44 communities from ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district, as well as some villages from Cahul, Cantemir and Basarabeasca districts to implement jointly rural development projects on the basis of LEADER European initiative;
  • 105 projects were implemented by 8 LAGs with EU support, aimed at improving the quality of life, involving people from villages and making use of local resources;
  • 18 projects implemented by LAGs contributed to the protection of cultural heritage;
  • 30 projects are being implemented by LAGS to create better local services;
  • 42 projects implemented by LAGs contribute to the development of local business;
  • 15 projects implemented by LAGs contribute to the development of rural tourism. 
YearsBudgetDelivery
European Union
20161,594,318 USD1,574,951 USD
20172,538,257 USD2,507,614 USD
20183,244,658 USD