Public authorities, local civil society and Moldovan NGOs met in a national conference to discuss funding opportunities for projects within the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (SUERD). Also, the purpose for the event was to find partners for projects and get to know the Romanian, Hungarian and Austrian experience in joint projects.

The Minister of Construction and Regional Development, Vasile Bîtca stressed the importance of cooperation to achieve effective institutional projects of socio-economic development of the localities of our country.

"It's an informational meeting on the organization of the contest in which Moldova could receive 5 million euros for transnational projects. The event is also a platform that provides opportunities for identifying partners and aims to boost our country's participation in the transnational and cross-border programs funded by the EU, including to promote and encourage the implementation of joint initiatives with other countries party to the EU strategy for the Danube Region" , said Minister Vasile Bitca at the conference.

However, Vasile Bitca said that the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction has the role of national coordinator of strategy in our country and has the responsibility for coordinating activities in implementing the 11 priorities of SUERD.

The Ambassador of Romania to Moldova, Daniel Ionita, has talked about the possibilities of strengthening the regional cooperation and benefits in SUERD.

"The strategy is a European political project, an innovative tool for socio-economic development of localities. This project, for the first time will provide opportunities for developing countries in Europe that have not yet joined the Union. There are many benefits: economic benefits for public and private sector, rise of competitiveness, training national actors in a new format" , said His Excellency Daniel Ionita.

In turn, Aneil Singh, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Moldova has stressed the benefits of such programs while nominating the tools offered by EU initiatives SUERD.

"The strategy provides details about the calls of small funds existing in this macro-region, strategic projects and course program, Danube Transnational Programme 2014-2020. We want to transform strategy into action" , said Aneil Singh.

EU Strategy for the Danube Region will be a contest of projects in the fields of renewable energy, culture, tourism, transport and environment. Eligible for participation in such projects will be local authorities, NGOs, regional development agencies in our country that will develop joint projects with similar institutions in Romania and Ukraine.