Methods to make the civil society more implicated in local development were discussed yesterday by Prime Minister Pavel Filip and EU Ambassador to Moldova, Peter Michalko, with members of the Local Action Group Lunca Nistrului, established in Ștefan Vodă district.

During the meeting, Prime Minister claimed to wish to know the main issues people from the region are facing, as well as hear suggestions to improve the governance.

Pavel Filip mentioned that the executive is permanently talking with the civil society on the platform of the National Council for Participation, businessmen within the Economic council, while interaction with local authorities is ensured by the platform of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova and within a working group of experts.

"This year were organized already two meetings with all Mayors. The Government and local authorities are in permanent contact through a working group, aiming to identify and solve all problems" Prime Minister mentioned.

Peter Michalko declared that the existence of such local group represents a good European practice to ensure clear vision in local development, agreed upon by authorities, economic agents and civil society. At the same time, the official mentioned the necessity to improve the legal framework of those group's activity and establish clear strategies for sustainable development.

Members of the Local Action Group Lunca Nistrului, made out of 8 localities, presented the situation from the region, mentioning that local public authorities have good experience in drawing projects for attracting resources for development.

"The group is a successful partnership among local authorities, civil society and economic agents. We wish to elaborate and implement more projects for local development, which will complete European and Governmental programs for improving the citizens standards of living" Mayor of Palanca village, Larisa Voloh declared.

In the future, the group's priority will be local economic growth, improvement of social infrastructure, such as developing local tourism.

The Local Action Group from Ștefan Vodă district was established on April 18 2017, with the support of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.