The National Youth Council of Moldova (CNTM) called upon the local public authorities to involve the young people in the decision-making process, especially in the formation of local budgets and working out of action plans for the youth. According to members of the CNTM, in most of the settlements the money intended for the young people is spent on trips, transport and less on actions that benefit the young people.

Galina Petcu, volunteer coordinator at the Ungheni-based Association “Faclia”, in a news conference at IPN, said that considerable amounts are annually allocated from the state budget to every district for taking measures intended for the youth, but the money is spent without consulting the young people because they are regarded as passive participants in decision making.  

CNTM secretary general Alex Petrov said there is a difference between what the local authorities aim to do and what the young people really want. Most of the local authorities do not hold consultations with the young people in the budget planning process. The CNTM assessed the distribution of public money intended for young people in 2011-2012 and established that 33% of the allocated 2.5 million lei was designed for cultural activities, 30% for sports activities, while only 37% for activities promoting the interests of young people.

Specialist on the youth of Ialoveni district Victor Pletosu said the young people can be involved in the decision-making process only through the agency of co-management commissions that promote management based on results. The Ialoveni District Council and the local authorities are carrying out a number of activities for the youth with their involvement, including the Ialoveni Fund for Youth Program and the winter and summer youth forum, where the young people agree the activities they want to perform and the activities that should be supported.

In order to stimulate the efficient use of the public budgets, the CNTM recommends the local authorities to stage public consultations with young people from districts. The Council will continue to assess the public budgets for this year and will formulate proposals for improving cooperation between the young people and the local authorities, based on the obtained results.