The project aims to revitalize existing civic dialogue platforms in Drochia district in order to strengthen participatory governance and cooperation between local public authorities and civil society. The initiative addresses common challenges in rural communities, including limited citizen participation in decision-making and the inactivity of civic platforms established in previous projects. The project reactivates these mechanisms through training for civil society representatives, the creation of a Civil Society Task Force, and the facilitation of dialogue with the District Council. Through these actions, public consultation mechanisms are strengthened, cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities is encouraged, and citizens gain more opportunities to engage in local decision-making processes.
Project Title
“Reviving Civic Dialogue”
Implementation Period
August 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Target Region
Drochia district, Republic of Moldova
General Objective
To revitalize existing civic dialogue platforms in Drochia district in order to strengthen participatory governance and foster cooperation between local public authorities (LPAs) and civil society.
Context and Identified Challenges
- The majority of communities in Moldova are rural, facing poverty, large-scale migration, lack of services, and exclusion from decision-making processes;
- Civic platforms established under previous projects have become inactive due to limited civic initiative, lack of financial resources, weak leadership, and insufficient support from LPAs;
- Low levels of decision-making transparency and limited public participation in local governance further deepen the isolation of rural communities.
Instead of creating new structures, the project focuses on reconnecting and reactivating those that already exist, thus contributing to the consolidation of participatory governance at the local level. Through training, facilitation, technical assistance, and strategic engagement, the project aims to foster authentic and ongoing dialogue between civil society and local public authorities.
Main Objectives
- Strengthen consultation mechanisms by supporting civic platforms in their dialogue with local authorities;
- Improve participatory governance by fostering collaboration between civil society organizations and authorities to enhance policy implementation, inclusiveness, and responsiveness.
Target Groups
The project addresses three main categories:
- Local citizens, particularly from rural areas, who remain insufficiently involved in decision-making processes;
- Civil society organizations, in need of support to resume their activities and engage effectively in dialogue with LPAs;
- Local public authorities, who will benefit from assistance in adopting a more transparent and participatory approach to governance.
Disclaimer
This project is implemented by the Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi) in partnership with People in Need Moldova, under the “INSPIRĂ Moldova” project, funded by the European Union.