Seven settlements received prizes for the best practices of 2008-2010. Prizes were awarded in three categories: local economic development, modernization of local public management, and good governance, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The good practices program is implemented the fourth year. Seven settlements took prizes this year for different practices. They are Telenesti town, Colibasi village, Calfa village, Budesti commune, Vinogradovca village, and Bahrinesti village,” said Olesea Cruc, program coordinator at the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”. Ungheni town won a special prize for creating an integrated household waste management system with support from an Austrian company. “We joined our forces and brought foreign investments to Ungheni. The Austrian investment in this project totaled 10 million lei. The mayor’s office of Ungheni contributed 5 million lei. We can now say that the waste collection system has been 80% changed,” said Mayor of Ungheni Alexandru Ambros. “The communities need such a program that promotes good practices. The interest expressed in this contest proves this. The competition showed that the local authorities are able to establish partnerships and put forward new ideas,” Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Construction Veaceslav Gututui said in the award ceremony. Within the good practices program of the local public authorities, another five settlements were praised for innovation and consistency. The jury was composed of representatives of national institutions, mayors associations, NGOs, and other organizations.