Women Mayors Discover the Most Innovative Village in Moldova

Or which is the first village that is part of the renewable energy programme? It is Chișcăreni village, from Sângerei district. And namely this village hosted a study visit for 20 women mayors and councilors from across the country. And, thanks to this exchange of experience, women mayors came to one conclusion - Chişcăreni village is certainly the most innovative community in Moldova and this is the place where you can learn many good practices in local public administration.

Silvia Țurcan, woman mayor at her fourth mandate in Chișcăreni village, said that the community she leads became one of the most innovative, thanks to its people. "A village`s wealth is not measured by implemented projects, by the attracted investments or by organized festivals, but by the people who live here. Therefore, I am proud of my active people, of those who involves in changing mindsets and have visions," said Silvia Țurcan.

One of the participants in the study visit, Galina Burduja, woman mayor at her third term in Lunga village, Floresti district, was impressed, in fact, by the people`s activism in Chișcăreni and that they have a particular interest in village development. "And this is a very rare phenomenon in many localities from Moldova. Meanwhile, in Chişcăreni is noticeable that residents contribute to the development of village and thus have attracted more investments," pointed out Galina Burduja. Another remarkable thing for the woman mayor from Lunga is the active cultural life and the existence of folkloric ensembles.

Aliona Cojocaru, mayor in Gura Căinarului village, argued that, thanks to these study visits, she observes and learn how to manage better a community in Moldova. "Being at my first term, I am eager to learn more always, because I want to achieve more for my community. I was impressed by the innovative projects implemented by my colleague, Silvia Țurcan, but also by the team that supports and helps her in all projects", pointed out the mayor of Gura Căinarului.

Actually, the first thing she wants to achieve, once she is back to her village, is organizing a cultural festival. "I am inspired by the festivals held here. And because we also have beautiful places and we are proud of them, I really want to put in motion such an event for my residents," stated Alina Cojocaru.

The mayor Țurcan enjoys, in turn, that this study visit inspired her colleagues with lots of new ideas. "The exchanges are always welcome to us. Because in this way we can take over many good practices that are implemented in other places and we can transpose them into our community," underlined Silvia Turcan. Then she revealed different techniques and methods on how to promote a positive image of their village.

Moreover, although she is a mayor at her fourth term, after being 16 years in the local council, meaning 30 years active in local public administration, Silvia Țurcan says that, regardless of experience, you can learn something new anytime. And her first lesson learned as a mayor is that women have to study and to inform themselves about everything daily and relentless. "I urge you not to let yourself intimidated and dare, because you work for your community. Sometimes you have to take a risk and do innovative projects, even if you do not know what will be the result. As would be to dig a well and you do not know if it will be there or not water," said in conclusion Silvia Turcan, who hosted the one day study visit.

However, women mayors and councilors asked what`s the recipe of her success. "Never forget that everything is possible. The important thing is to keep your optimism, energy and desire to work hard", advised them the woman mayor of Chișcăreni village.

The study visit was organized by the Congress of Local Authorities in Moldova, with the support of UN Program "Women in Politics", which is implemented by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with EEF and Center "partnership for Development", financially supported by the Swedish government.