European assistance: Modern sports and education complex for children in Varnita and Bender

"Confidence building projects showed us that when people from both banks act together, they can solve problems faster and more efficiently " quote Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

The services are available for residents from Varnita and Bender. Varnita has a population of over 5,000 inhabitants and is bordering with three districts of Bender. Access between the communities is free and interaction between people intense. Close to 30% of the students in the high school, children in the kindergarten, and teaching personnel reside in Bender.

EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova Pirkka Tapiola mentioned during his opening remarks: "This inauguration of the sport fields in the course of the European Football Championship is somehow symbolic and inspiring. Watching the games and also practicing sport we can experience such values as friendship, excellence and respect, and mutual understanding. I hope that these values will be respected not only in this pitch but also among communities and among both banks of the river and I am proud of what we have done to ensure a better future for these children."

There are several active sport clubs in Varnita - football, boxing, judo, volleyball, basketball, tennis and athletics. The recent reconstruction offers increased opportunities to organize sports competitions among teams from both banks of the Nistru river. Athletes can achieve better performance. Also, the community center ASCLEPIO was modernized and the kindergarten playground was equipped due to the EU support. For the refurbishment of the sports and education complex EU has invested more than 150,000 euros.

"We do not divide people between "ours" and "yours". We have the same needs and interests which unite us. Residents of both towns are served equally by our social institutions - schools, kindergartens, health centre and many others," said the mayor of Varnita, Alexander Nichitenco.

In 2013, Varnita Health Centre that provides medical services to people from both banks was equipped within the same Programme. Additionally, the access road between Varnita and Severnii district of Bender has been renovated. The European Union has invested more than 315,000 euros in confidence building projects in Varnita solely.

"I am delighted to see how our joint efforts are progressing in identifying and implementing initiatives aimed at building trust and confidence between people on both banks of the Nistru river. We are convinced that to achieve this goal it is crucial to help improve living standards of people on both banks and engage them in joint activities. Ensuring an effective communication and interconnection based on mutual positive practice is one of the fundamental condition for successful promotion of confidence between cross-river communities. And Varnita is a role model, in this sense" quote Dafina Gercheva, UN resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova.

Currently, 20 social infrastructure objects are being renovated on both banks of the Nistru River. Since the launch of the Programme in 2009, the EU has provided over 7.5 million euros for the modernization of social infrastructure on both sides of the Nistru River.