Effects of Integrated Local Development Program are visible in villages

Three of the 26 projects started within the Integrated Local Development Program (ILDP) have been completed. This happened in the villages of Dorotcaia, Dubasari district, Hagimus in Causeni district and Varnita in Anenii Noi, Info-Prim Neo reports. Project manager Alexandru Ursul has announced that an educational center for 62 children with special needs has been opened in Dorotcaia. There, children shall be educated based on an individual programs so that they can fully integrate in the society. The project has been implemented by UNDP in collaboration with Soros Moldova, “Woman and Child- Protection and Support” Association and the local authorities in Dorotcaia. A properly equipped informational and educational center for villagers has been opened in Varnita. There, local experts will give lectures about education issues, human rights, healthcare, civic responsibility. Youth, local associations and organizations from Transnistria, unemployed persons, mothers with many children and other social categories will be invited. In Hagimus, Causeni, a new multifunctional sports center has been built. The main beneficiaries are children, youth and even old persons who attend each competition. “The progress of the other 23 projects, including those in the Security Zone and Eastern districts, is quite advanced. Their main goal is to improve the services, mainly informational ones, rendered by public authorities to citizens, and launching new services. Other projects include repairing and equipping public buildings and instructing the personnel”, Ursul said. In the first phase of the project, started in February 2010, have been included 58 communities from 10 districts, while an additional 55 from other 10 districts will be included in the second phase, starting mid-2011. The selection criteria refer to the quality of public services and infrastructure, local authorities’ capacities and activity, the main problems and possible solutions. After 3 years, when ILDP is finished in 2012, the 113 communities from 20 districts will have the opportunity to apply once again for assistance program and a grant of 100.000 lei, if they present a worthy project. ILDP aims to help the Moldovan Government to develop the political and administrative system, to support decentralization and enhance local authorities’ role and authority. The program is implemented by UNDP and UNIFEM and is financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.