The presentation of results achieved this year and the work plan of the Joint Integrate Local Development Programme (JILDP) for 2012 were the main topics discussed at the JILDP Steering Committee meeting.
The National Coordinator of JILDP, Victor Bodiu, Secretary General of the Government, appreciated the work of the Programme, noting that it is a basic pillar for the decentralization reform in Moldova. Victor Bodiu urged all members of the Steerng Committee to support further the JILDP activity in order to implement the decentralization reform.
Mihai Roscovan, JILDP coordinator, presented the main outcomes achieved this year by the Government in decentralization area with the support of the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme. Like this, within the first component, support was provided to organize two rounds of public consultations on the draft National Decentralization Strategy. JILDP also offered assistance to develop an opinion survey on this draft strategy for local government and all submitted proposals have been analyzed and integrated into the final document that was approved by the Parity Commission. As well, support was provided in developing the draft Classification of LPA competences, in developing the work plans to draft sectoral strategies, and in creating working groups for sectoral decentralization within 5 ministries. Within the first component, study visits to Poland and Latvia were also organized with the participation of the representatives of Parliament, central and local government and NGOs. Several civil servants had the opportunity to attend international forums on local governance. According to Mihai Roscovan, in partnership with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Moldova, the "Guide to local elected officials" was developed.
The managers within JILDP listed several achievements of the other 3 programme components, including the startup of the process for drafting/adjustment the social and economic development strategies in 60 target communities; providing assistance for the implementation of the institutional capacity building plans in 73 local governments; organizing training sessions for 12 thousand local elected officials on their roles and responsibilities; preparing the Guide to planning, implementation, assessment and monitoring of local development based on principles of human rights and gender equality. According to JILDP representatives, over the current year, the Programme offered necessary support in organizing the courses for training of 30 trainers for the mobilization of community groups; legal assessment of possibilities and limits on startup and implementation of inter-community development projects in Moldova; developing the training programme for building the national consulting capacities in inter-municipal cooperation; accomplishing the first two stages of the cycle of community mobilization for empowerment in 70 pilot communities; implementing local development initiatives in 11 communities. As well, over this year, the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) benefited from JILDP support for the institutional capacity building; developing the platform and action plan for the activity of the Association of Women-Mayors within CALM and organizing three regional workshops. Several activities in the Transnistrean region and security zone have been carried out within JILDP, including training and guidance of the organizations from this region in integrating the gender dimension, community development and drafting the proposals for development projects, as well as the startup of community mobilization activities in 3 communities of this region.
Victoria Cujba, Department for decentralization policies of the State Chancellery, mentioned that the achieved outcomes are due to the efficient cooperation between the State Chancellery, JILDP, local government and relevant ministries. Victoria Cujba also said that many activities accomplished within JILDP were remarked at international level for the successful implementation in public policies of the principles based on human rights and gender equality. As example the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the Global Meeting of UNDP Practitioners in the area of Human Rights in Costa Rica.
Referring to the JILDP work plan for 2012, Adrian Ionescu, chief technical adviser of the Programme, said that support would be provided to developi sectoral strategies for decentralization, develop training modules on specific topics, as well as to implement 10 inter-municipal cooperation projects in the target districts. Within the next year priorities there is also foreseen the support for the Special Parliamentary Commission in improving legal framework and development of the Knowledge Network. The list of activities for the next year also includes the capacity building of the State Chancellery in order to coordinate the assistance provided by Donors to the Government for the implementation of the Decentralization Strategy, and support for organizations or community information centers in meeting the needs of women and vulnerable groups etc.
Tatiana Badan, chairperson of CALM, appreciated the JILDP assistance provided for the development and promotion of local government, therewith asking for further support to strengthen the association and build the capacities of the local government. Likewise, Veaceslav Gututui, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Constructions, expressed thanks for the support provided to the ministry and requested JILDP assistance in identifying funding sources for inter-municipal cooperation pilot projects in the area of public services initiated by the ministry, and preparing a training programme in regional development.
Nina Orlova, national programme coordinator within the Swedish Government in Moldova, expressed, on behalf of the Ambassador Ingrid Tersman, the appreciation for the work done and the results achieved by JILDP during 2011. At the same time, Nina Orlova mentioned several recommendations for the future, including the creation of the Sectoral Coordination Committee and the capacity building of the State Chancellery to coordinate donor assistance in the filed of decentralization. Nina Orlova also emphasized the need to streamline the international assistance and take advantage of the synergy opportunities.
Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Moldova, proposed JILDP to focus in 2012 on four sectoral areas - fiscal, property, education and social protection. "Fiscal and property areas are intersected with other fields and represent a prerequisite for the sectoral decentralization in other areas to take place". With regard to the work plan presented by the JILDP team, Ulziisuren Jamsran, UN Women gender advisor, mentioned that for some activities additional sources are needed and expressed the availability to discuss the issue in detail.
The JILDP Steering Committee includes representatives of the Government, Parliament, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions, NGOs, local government, academic institutions and international organizations.
We reiterate that Joint Integrated Local Development Programme is implemented by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and with the financial support of the Swedish Government.
The Programme aims to ensure equal benefits from decentralization and local development for vulnerable groups, including discriminated, socially excluded and marginalized groups. Within its activity the Programme is focused on several basic principles: participation, transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, equality of rights, opportunities and benefits for women and men.