Veronica Tomescu – Page 35

Unveiling the challenges: 3rd edition of the Barometer on communal household services in Moldova

Local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova are responsible for organizing and providing citizens with communal household services. They rely on the rules and regulations set by the Government to carry out these important tasks.

On April 12, 2023, the MĂ IMPLIC project launched the 3rd edition of its report titled “Barometer of the main existing gaps, contradictions and constraints in the normative framework related to communal household services This report sheds light on the key issues faced by local authorities as they strive to improve and deliver community services.

The analysis offers an overview of the problems within the regulatory framework, presenting a format that facilitates the identification of priority areas for potential solutions. The project experts, Ion Beschieru (Public Administration and National Reforms Expert), Dorin Andros (Regional Development and Public Services Expert), and Diana Toma (Manager of Reforms and National Policies within the MĂ IMPLIC project), presented the main findings.

The barometer is the outcome of a comprehensive mapping exercise that involved documentary analysis, review of strategies, laws, decisions, studies, articles, and more. Additionally, interviews and discussions with relevant stakeholders such as representatives from central public administration authorities, mayors, local public administration representatives, service operators, and field experts were conducted. The goal was to identify gaps and discrepancies hindering the sustainable provision of quality and accessible communal services within communities. However, this study does not examine into structural and systemic issues unrelated to the normative framework, such as the lack of human and institutional capacities or insufficient financial resources.

Like previous editions, the analysis focused on two services: (1) water supply and sanitation, and (2) solid waste management. The latest edition of the Barometer assesses the trend and urgency of addressing the identified challenges in the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The event was attended by representatives from MĂ IMPLIC’s partner municipalities, the Ministry of the Environment, the National Energy Regulatory Agency, the Environment Agency, experts in the field of LPA and communal household services, representatives from development partners, and more. During the meeting, participants actively engaged in discussions and exchanged opinions.

The study is available for download on the “MĂ IMPLIC” project’s webpage, offering both the Romanian version and the English version.

The project on civic engagement in local governance “MĂ IMPLIC” aims at ensuring that the rural population of Moldova has equitable access to quality communal service provision. The project „MĂ IMPLIC” is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Skat Consulting Ltd.

#maImplic #skatConsulting

Solid waste collection has commenced in Risipeni, Taxobeni, Horești and Izvoare!

Intercommunity solid waste management service was launched, thanks to a joint effort, of the Municipalities and citizens of Risipeni, Taxobeni, Horești and Izvoare. Thus, starting on February 23, 2023, the residents of the 9 localities within this partnership benefit from a modern communal service, which helps them to properly manage the garbage from personal households and contributes to maintaining a healthy and clean environment in the area.

The highly anticipated event was attended by the MĂ IMPLIC project managers, representatives of the partner Municipalities, the Fălești Rayon Council, the business and associative environment from the communities and over 120 residents of the Risipeni commune. At this event, citizens had the opportunity to sign contracts with the newly established Municipal Enterprise. In just the first hour, more than 30 contracts were signed, and bins and bags for selective waste storage were distributed to the citizens of Risipeni and Bocșa. Over the next two months, the Community Initiative Team, in collaboration with the Communal Services Operator, aims to sign contracts with an additional 600 beneficiaries and expand this number in the other communities of the partnership.

DMITRI MOSORETI, the mayor of Risipeni commune, stated, “Of course, we have a challenging path ahead, as it involves working closely with citizens and maintaining continuous communication with them. Our primary goal is to make them understand that this service is solely for their benefit, ensuring a clean environment and delivering quality services to our citizens.”

“It will be a clean village. We will no longer have waste in improper places. The vehicle will come, collect it, and take it to the right location, which is a significant improvement. You place it in the trash bin, and the vehicle comes to pick it up and take it away, so you don’t have to transport it anywhere,” expressed a resident of Risipeni commune.

The procurement of equipment for the improvement and organization of the communal service is carried out with the support of the “MĂ IMPLIC” project, from the funds of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by SKAT Consulting. The MĂ IMPLIC project not only helps the municipality and service provider improve the infrastructure but also focuses on developing long-term approaches to maintain the infrastructure in good shape and establish sustainable models for financing service delivery. In our activity, we ensure that local citizens, LPA employees, NGOs, economic agents are actively involved in the modernization of public services in the community and especially that the less advantaged have equal access to these services.

#maImplic #skatConsulting #solidwastemanagement #civicengagement