Category: Water supply

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Access to Water for the Residents of Satul Nou: Infrastructure Investment with the Support of the MĂ IMPLIC Project

Access to Water for the Residents of Satul Nou: Infrastructure Investment with the Support of the MĂ IMPLIC Project

On April 11, 2025, a collaboration agreement was signed between the Moldo-Swiss Cooperation Center Foundation (SKAT), the Satul Nou Municipality, and the technical executor SA DSRM-3, for the implementation of essential works to modernize the local water supply system.

The project includes:
construction of a new platform equipped with two water towers, each with a volume of 50 m³ and a pumping height of 18 meters

installation of a new water supply pipeline, connecting Well 1127 to the platform and linking it to the external water distribution network of the locality

This investment will have both an immediate and long-term impact on the quality of life in the community:
💧 Secure and continuous access to drinking water for households, public institutions, and future local investments
💧 Reduced vulnerability during drought periods and increased climate resilience
💧 Improved living conditions and support for local economic development
💧 Modernized technical infrastructure and more efficient public service management

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This activity is part of the “Energy Efficiency and Water Supply” Component of the MĂ IMPLIC Project, a civic engagement project in local governance, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Skat Consulting Ltd.

MĂ IMPLIC supports local authorities and citizens in improving public services through strategic planning, smart investments, and community involvement, contributing to the sustainable development of localities across the Republic of Moldova.

#MĂIMPLIC #SkatConsulting #SatulNou
#LocalDevelopment #Infrastructure #SwissCooperation
#LocalGovernance #PublicInvestment #BetterServices

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Strengthening Integrity in Local Public Administrations with the Support of MĂ IMPLIC

Strengthening Integrity in Local Public Administrations with the Support of MĂ IMPLIC

In a small village in Moldova, where personal relationships often intersect with professional responsibilities, local leaders face unique challenges. In such communities and small institutions, ethical dilemmas—conflicts of interest, favoritism, or accusations of unfairness—can complicate decision-making and erode trust between citizens and decision-makers.

How can local authorities turn these challenges into opportunities to build trust?
This is the key question addressed in the second phase of the MĂ IMPLIC Project, through regional training sessions on “Strengthening Integrity in Local Public Authorities.” Here, mayors and local council secretaries shared their challenges and discovered practical solutions to improve integrity in local public administration.

REAL CASES RELATED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES’ INTEGRITY
In one village, a mayor spoke about an intense debate over resource distribution, where accusations of favoritism were raised. Citizens questioned why certain families received more social assistance than others. “It’s not just a matter of fairness,” the mayor emphasized. “It’s about trust. When people don’t trust our decisions, the whole community suffers.” The adopted solution was to increase transparency in the allocation process, publish the list of beneficiaries, and involve community representatives in a specialized commission to ensure fair distribution.

Another participant, a council secretary, shared a story about internal tensions caused by the lack of clear rules. Personal connections of a former councilor led to non-transparent contract awards, creating frustration and suspicion among colleagues. “We didn’t have clear policies regarding conflicts of interest at the time,” the secretary admitted. “This created an environment of suspicion and frustration.”

Such cases are not uncommon in Moldova’s local public authorities. The normalization of corruption at the community level adds another layer of complexity.
“Bribery and preferential treatment have become so historically ingrained that people see them as normal,” one mayor confessed. “Changing this mindset is just as important as changing our practices.”

A PRACTICAL INTEGRITY GUIDE FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION LEADERS
The MĂ IMPLIC training sessions were designed for this exact purpose—to equip local leaders with the tools and confidence to govern with integrity. Instead of focusing on abstract principles, the training sessions were based on real-life examples and practical solutions, addressing daily challenges faced by mayors and council secretaries:

  • Managing conflicts of interest – Identifying potential conflicts early and applying clear tools for addressing them transparently.
  • Whistleblower protection – Establishing secure and anonymous channels for reporting unethical behavior, with an option for mayors to file external warnings with the National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA).
  • Transparency in decision-making – Discussing practical steps to make processes more open and inclusive, from publishing meeting minutes to involving citizens in key decisions.

NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITY OF INTEGRITY POLICIES
One of the most important aspects of the training was understanding the 14 integrity policies required for local public authorities, as outlined in Law No. 82 on Integrity (2017):

  • Merit-based hiring and professional integrity – Selecting personnel based on competence, without external influence.
  • Declaration of assets and personal interests – Monitoring disclosures to identify potential conflicts and discrepancies.
  • Incompatibility in holding public office – Preventing overlapping roles that may create conflicts of interest.
  • Hierarchy restrictions in public office – Setting limits to prevent abuse of power.
  • Limitations on public endorsements – Regulating public interactions to safeguard impartiality.
  • Prevention of undue influences – Creating a framework that prevents external pressures on decision-making, including reporting such influences to internal authorities or CNA.
  • Conflicts of interest – Identifying and resolving situations that may compromise objective decision-making.
  • Favoritism – Avoiding practices that unfairly discriminate or benefit certain individuals.
  • Gifts and benefits – Prohibiting their acceptance to prevent undue influence over decisions.
  • Response to corruption incidents – Adopting a clear policy for addressing corruption cases.
  • Zero tolerance for integrity violations – Establishing an environment that discourages integrity breaches.
  • Transparency in decision-making – Publishing decision-making processes and engaging citizens.
  • Access to public interest information – Ensuring citizens can access key public information.
  • Transparent management of public assets and finances – Ensuring fairness in managing public resources.

For many participants, policies such as transparency and merit-based hiring were already known and relatively easy to implement. However, aspects like post-employment restrictions and zero-tolerance approaches to corruption were seen as new elements requiring further clarification. While some urban municipalities (Level 1 APLs) with larger teams had already established tools to implement integrity policies, rural areas faced more challenges. Certain measures, such as conflict of interest declarations, transparency in decision-making, and financial transparency, were successfully implemented. More complex policies, such as asset declarations or hierarchical restrictions, often required intervention from the National Integrity Authority (ANI) to ensure compliance. Larger, more experienced municipalities shared valuable insights and practical advice with smaller communities on implementing integrity policies. This spirit of collaboration highlighted the importance of peer learning to overcome common challenges.

BUILDING A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY
A key part of the training was developing safe and accessible mechanisms for reporting corruption. Whistleblower protection was emphasized as a key pillar in encouraging the reporting of unethical practices. Participants were encouraged to report undue influences, to declare received gifts and refuse any benefits that could compromise objectivity, to ensure transparency in decision-making and resolve conflicts of interest.

This systematic approach not only ensures compliance with current legislation but also plays a crucial role in building citizens’ trust in local public administration. A transparent and accountable environment contributes to the long-term development of a society based on integrity and openness. Additionally, the training emphasized the human aspect of integrity. “Policies are important,” one mayor reflected, “but they are just the beginning. Integrity is about how we lead, how we communicate, and how we make people feel.”

Local leaders were encouraged to adopt ethical behavior in their daily actions, setting an example for their teams and communities. Discussions also included citizen engagement strategies, such as public consultations and participatory budgeting.
“When people see that we work with them, not just for them, everything changes,” a council member said.

A JOURNEY OF CHANGE – “Transformation Begins with Small Steps: The Road to an Integrity-Based Local Administration”
As the training sessions concluded, participants left not only with new knowledge but also with a renewed sense of responsibility and motivation.
“This training reminded us that integrity is not a final destination—it’s a journey,” a local council secretary reflected. “It’s about small but consistent steps to build trust and accountability.”

The MĂ IMPLIC Project, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by SKAT Consulting Moldova, continues to be a key partner in this journey. By providing resources, expertise, and capacity-building support, the project empowers local leaders to navigate the complexities of governance with integrity, equipping them with the tools to drive lasting change in their communities.

In some communities, the impact is already visible. Citizens are beginning to see local authorities as trusted partners, not adversaries: “At first, people were skeptical—they thought it was just a formality. But now, they ask concrete questions, monitor decisions, and even hold us accountable. Transparency has forced us to be more responsible,” a mayor shared. Step by step, transparency and fairness are becoming the norm, paving the way for a more just and prosperous future.