Moldova: Ma Implic - Project on civic engagement in local governance


Moldova is firmly committed to improve governance and service delivery at the local level through a local governance reform, which is also a necessary step in view of the possible accession to the European Union. This project will support the Moldovan national authorities in advancing the local governance reform, and the local authorities in designing and implementing more inclusive and transparent local governance practices and a more efficient delivery of various public services.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Moldova
Governance
Participation démocratique et société civile
Décentralisation
Politique du secteur publique
01.11.2023 - 31.10.2027
CHF  9’645’000
Contexte In June 2022, Moldova got the status of EU candidate country and has the ambition to join the EU by 2030. In 2023, being driven by the EU integration agenda, the Government of Moldova initiated the long-awaited Public Administration Reform, adopting the respective Strategy for 2023-2030, with local government reform being part of that. Despite some earlier developments, Local Public Authorities (LPAs) have limited autonomy, and their administrative and fiscal powers remain weak. Still, they enjoy high levels of trust, being the second most trusted institution in the country after the church. These are important reasons for Switzerland to continue its contribution to the enhancement of a participatory decision-making at the local level and proper implementation of reforms.
Objectifs The population of Moldova benefits from improved local governance, better access to and quality of public services.
Groupes cibles

Relevant central and local authorities, civil society organizations, and community members.

Final beneficiaries: The Moldovan society as a whole, benefitting from the changes brought by local governance reform, improved governance processes and inclusive development interventions. In the spirit of the "leave no one behind" principle, the project will involve vulnerable groups (incl. refugees from Ukraine).

Effets à moyen terme

Outcome 1: Partner Local Public Authorities groups manage resources and local development in a more sustainable, inclusive and accountable way.

Outcome 2: The Government promotes and coordinates the Local Governance reform in an efficient, effective and transparent manner.

Outcome 3: People in partner communities meaningfully engage in local governance processes and influence the provision of local public services

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • Partner LPA groups have the necessary capacities and skills to improve the performance of their core functions.
  • LPA groups produce models for joint public service delivery which are available for replication. 
  • Central authorities have enhanced capacities to put in place the necessary policies, regulations and instruments for the implementation of the LG reform. 
  • Central authorities have instruments to improve communication between central and local levels on LG reform for more transparency and broader public support. 
  • Citizens of partner communities have capacities and mechanisms to participate in local decision-making processes and to hold LPAs and service providers accountable. 


Principaux résultats antérieurs:   Ma Implic project gained the reputation of a relevant and competent partner for the Government in its task to prepare and implement the Local Governance (LG) reform.
At policy level, the project made a substantial contribution to a more favourable regulatory environment for quality service provision at the local level.
At institutional level, 45 local public authorities improved the way they manage service provision. Eight groups of municipalities developed functioning partnerships. Some of these partnerships are already used also to plan and implement other joint projects, creating a fertile ground for voluntary amalgamation, which is envisaged by the Government under the ongoing LG reform.
At citizens’ level, LG practices improved in all targeted municipalities towards more transparency and inclusive citizen engagement. The project engaged a total of 125,000 people, out of which 50,000 directly benefitted from improved services (water, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting). Women were more involved than men, and 25,000 beneficiaries were representatives of vulnerable groups. The project supported LPAs to identify barriers that hinder vulnerable groups to access services and to participate in local planning and decision-making; LPAs were also supported in ensuring a better accessibility of the physical infrastructure.


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Crédit Coopération avec l'Europe de l'Est
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
ONG internationale ou étrangère
Secteur privé
Institution étatique étrangère
  • Central State of South East
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Secteur privé suisse
  • Skat Consulting Ltd (Switzerland) is the implementing partner. Backstopping support will be offered by DESPRO NGO (Ukraine) and DPI Development Partnership International GmbH (Switzerland). The State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova is the Skat‘s strategic partner in the implementation of the project.


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs The project established good coordination with the “Comunitatea Mea” (My Community) USAID-funded project that aims to strengthen local government in Moldova to become more effective and accountable to citizens. “Ma Implic” coordinates also with other SDC-funded projects that focus on enhancing development at local and rural levels (implemented by UNDP, UNFPA and Council of Europe). The project will coordinate with other like-minded development partners that facilitate Moldova`s decentralization process, strive to build local government`s capacity to meet citizens` needs, and strengthen citizen confidence in democratic institutions (USA, Germany, EU, World Bank). 
Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    9’645’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    3’950’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   8’046’608 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   18’000’000
Phases du projet Phase 2 01.11.2023 - 31.10.2027   (Phase en cours) Phase 1 01.05.2018 - 31.12.2024   (Phase en cours)