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The Local Coalition for Participatory Budgeting was formed up in the town of Vulcanesti

The Local Coalition for Participatory Budgeting was formed up in the town of Vulcanesti

On 29th of April 2020, the Local Coalition for Participatory Budgeting was formed up in the town of Vulcanesti. It is the 4th coalition launched in Gagauzia region.

The activity took place online and was attended by the Mayor of the town, Mr. Victor Petrioglu, as well as by representatives of civil society, teachers and other active citizens of the town.

The first session covered general elements of Participatory Budgeting concept, who takes part in this process and how it can be applied by the local public authority. The aim of the project and the partners were also presented.

“A priority in this project is to provide knowledge, skills in the budget process and advocacy for citizens’ priorities,” Mr. Iulian Rusu said, the Deputy Executive Director, Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE).

After watching the videographics, the Mayor of the locality added: “In the video presented, we, the mayors, have to take into account the opinion of the citizens, but when public hearings are organized and citizens have to listen only to the proposals of the LPA representatives or local councillors. However, discussions with citizens is a practice also applied in Europe.”

Mrs. Tatiana Cazanji, the member of the Local Coalition, also spoke on this subject, saying: “We got involved in the budget of the town and the mayor together with the councillors supported us.”

“There will always be at least 5% citizens who will never be satisfied,” Mr. Iulian Rusu said (IPRE).

During the 2nd session, the regulation was revised and approved by the members of the Local Coalition among others.

Next, the members of the Local Coalition will submit an information note to the LPAs with the intention to be officially recognized.

The activity was organised by the partner organisation, the Institute for Rural Initiatives.

The project “Inform, empower and act! Civil society for better budget governance in Moldova” is implemented by the Independent Analytical Centre “Expert-Grup” as the lead partner, together with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung e.V. (KAS, Germany), the Centre for East European Studies (CSEE, Lithuania) and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). The project is implemented with financial support of the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung e.V.